Police blotter 1-24-14

Wednesday, January 15

Police put an end to a pair of teenage boys’ early morning escapades in the 100 block of Bryn Mawr Road on Wednesday. Around 2:30 a.m., 19-year-old Manuel Munoz of Pomona and a 16-year-old accomplice were caught red handed, with backpacks and arms laden with stolen goods, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. Several witnesses say they spotted the boys helping themselves to the contents of unlocked vehicles. After a brief pursuit, both boys were arrested for possession of stolen property and petty theft. Mr. Munoz was also arrested for an outstanding warrant for burglary.

Friday, January 17

Police were sent on a wild goose chase on Friday resulting in the temporary closure of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park as officers searched for a missing hiker. Just before 9 a.m., the Claremont Police Department received what they describe as “second-hand information” that a man was calling for help from the canyon less than a mile up the trail. Despite nearly four hours of searching by La County Fire and the Claremont police, no hiker was located. The Wilderness Park was reopened just after 1 p.m.  It’s unknown if the report of a missing person was a hoax or if the hiker had found their way out of the park, according to police.

Saturday, January 18

A single vehicle collision resulted in the deaths of two young women early Saturday morning. The two deceased victims, both passengers, were identified as Joanna Munoz, 19, and Monique Magana, 20, residents of Upland. Ms. Munoz was pronounced dead on scene. Ms. Magana was transported to a local hospital before dying from her injuries. A third occupant, an 18-year-old female, from Upland, was transported to USC Medical Center with moderate injuries.

Investigation determined that the driver, Artisha Wright, 21 years old, from Upland, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Police are waiting on the crime lab report to determine her blood alcohol content. Ms. Wright was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence resulting in injury. She has since posted bail and is due back in court on March 5. Police say the maximum sentence is four years with a low of 16 months.

Officers say the women had been in Ontario earlier in the evening and were headed east on Foothill Boulevard when the car crashed into an electrical pole in the 300 block of the main city thoroughfare. Alcoholic beverages were reportedly found in the center console of the vehicle, and police report that the girls had been arguing in the car just before the crash. Investigation continues.

Sunday, January 19

A 30-year-old Pomona resident was put behind bars on Thursday morning after an alleged fight with his significant other turned physical at her south Claremont home. According to police, the woman suffered a cut lip after being pushed to the ground. Discussing politics was the source of their plight. The man was arrested for assault on a spouse.

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Doggy doors are causing a dilemma for police and Claremont residents alike. For the second week in a row, crooks have found opportunity in the small square openings. On January 10, thieves entered a home in the 300 block of Villanova Drive through a rear dog door. It was the same story on January 19, burglars using a pet door to gain access to a home in the 400 block of Warner Street. Though there were no reported stolen goods in the Villanova incident, the latest burglary was a significant hit. Crooks made off with $5000 in stolen bikes. A 2006 red Mustang Convertible was also carted off. The resident admits the keys had been left in the center console, according to Lt. Ciszek. A report was taken, but there are no witnesses.

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Bronson White, 20, of Pomona, took the bait on Saturday and paid the price. Mr. White had the misfortune of stealing a bike on the college campuses that had been planted there on purpose by police. The tracking device on the bicycle led police right to Mr. White’s residence where he admitted to stealing the bike because “he saw an opportunity and needed transportation.” He was arrested for possession of stolen property.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com