Police blotter 2-7-14

Friday, January 31

An unknown person decided to drop some groceries off to a resident in the 1100 block of Shepherd Way. However, the goods never quite made it inside the house. The property owner reported a mix of egg, rice, powder, chocolate, toothpaste, ketchup and toilet paper deposited onto the owner’s car, causing an estimated $200 in damage. There are no suspects. A vandalism report was taken.

Saturday, February 1

First responders are still investigating the cause of a Saturday afternoon house fire in the 300 block of West Radcliffe Drive. Police arrived at the home around 4:30 p.m. after reports of a possible explosion and fire on the Claremont street. Officers arrived to find the home fully engulfed. No one was injured, but the home was deemed a total loss. No other structures were damaged.

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A Claremont houseguest received a startle on Saturday when the guest spotted a strange man lurking in the backyard of a neighboring home in the 100 block of North College. Realizing he had been seen, 43-year-old Alex Bosserman of Riverside took off, but not before coming to a stop for police just a quarter mile away. When questioned as to why he was roaming in the backyard of a stranger’s home, Mr. Bosserman refused to give an answer. He was arrested for prowling.

Sunday, February 2

A man was airlifted to USC Medical Center on Sunday night after a significant solo vehicle crash in the Vons Shopping Center. Just before 10 p.m., the man was driving south on Mills Avenue toward Base Line Road at a high rate of speed and lost control of his car. The vehicle collided with a curb, fixed sign and tree at the Vons Shopping Center. He was airlifted to USC for complaint of pain to lower extremities. Police determined he was not driving under the influence, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. No one else was harmed.

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A homeowner in the 300 block of Auburn Way was left $800 in the lurch on Sunday, and not because of any Super Bowl lottery. An unknown person helped themselves to contents of the home’s master bedroom, making off without being seen. The crook reportedly gained entry through an unlocked garage side door. A report was taken.  

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Neighborhood issues caused problems beyond the 500 block of Towne Avenue for one of the area’s residents. On Sunday evening, police were called to the South Claremont apartment complex by a tenant reporting a fight taking place between 56-year-old Greg Astuto and another individual in a nearby residence. Police were able to calm Mr. Astuto down without incident. When police left, however, Mr. Astuto’s temper reportedly flared again, this time with the neighbor who had called the police in the first place. Officers returned to the apartment building, where Mr. Astuto was arrested for trespassing, being drunk and disorderly and attempted burglary for trying to break into the neighbor’s apartment to fight, according to Lt. Ciszek. There was no further issue.

Monday, February 3

Police paid a visit to College Park shortly after noon on February to address reports that a man was seen wielding swords. While 33-year-old Gregory Switzer was found practicing his combat skills, his weapons of choice were not swords as reported but, in fact, sticks. Twirling sticks is not prohibited by the Claremont Municipal Code, but an outstanding warrant for being in a park after posted hours landed Mr. Switzer behind bars anyway.

Tuesday, February 4

A guest at Hotel Claremont took complimentary TV, coffee and other services a little too literally. The hotel patron took off with the hotel television, coffee maker, radio and iron in tow on Tuesday morning, according to the police report. The guest did, however, leave behind his identification as part of the hotel check-in process. With police conducting a follow-up, he will likely be checking in to a different Claremont facility soon.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com