Police blotter 2-21-14

Police rule Claremont death a suicide

A Claremont resident was found dead in the front yard of his home in the 800 block of Tenth Street on Wednesday afternoon. The body was seen by a person driving past the home around 1:30 p.m. Police arrived on scene shortly after. The elderly man was found with a single bullet wound to the head, according to Claremont Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. Police are ruling his death as a suicide. The portion of Tenth Street, from the 800 block to Vanderbilt, remained barricaded into the afternoon as officers waited for the Los Angeles County Coroner to respond to the scene.

Thursday, February 13

A resident in the 400 block of Bonita Avenue got out of bed to find an unpleasant surprise on Thursday morning. The tenant awoke to find the back door of her apartment had been pried open sometime during the night. Strangely, though, nothing appeared to be taken and no suspect was found. A report was taken, but there were no witnesses.

Friday, February 14

It was a close call for an El Roble Intermediate School student who was struck by a car on her way to school Friday morning. The middle schooler was crossing the street at Harrison and Mountain Avenues just before 8 a.m. when a car failed to yield, hitting her in the intersection. When police first received the call, the girl was stuck underneath the vehicle. By the time officers arrived, the girl had been safely removed and was awake and breathing. She was transported to the hospital for complaint of pain to her neck and back.

Saturday, February 15

A stranger took up residency in the Mt. Caramel/San Diego Court neighborhood on Saturday morning, reportedly seen snooping into residents’ cars and attempting to get inside. By the time police arrived, the prowler was nowhere to be found. He is described as white, about five feet, eight inches tall with blonde hair.

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Adrienne Brooks, a 34-year-old from Los Angeles, was blunt with police about her breakfast choice. After causing trouble in the bathroom of Norms restaurant at 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd., she reportedly informed officers, “I smoked crack this morning.” Ms. Brooks, who was allegedly yelling at customers visiting the eatery’s restroom Saturday evening, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Sunday, February 16

A brawl at Piano Piano was the catalyst for further troubles between two intoxicated patrons on Sunday night. Police first responded to the dueling piano bar, located at 407 W. Foothill Blvd., around 1 a.m. with a dispute taking place in the parking lot. While there, police were notified of a fight that had broken out within the establishment between an estimated 25 people. Two of those fighting—37-year-old Myrna Araujo and 39-year-old Samuel Rojas, both of San Dimas—were arrested for public intoxication. Troubles continued for Ms. Araujo, however, when she became combative with police. Ms. Araujo reportedly used her five-inch stilletto heels to kick both the window of the police car (causing about $300 in damage) and a police officers’ leg. Ms. Araugjo was additionally charged with vandalism and injuring an officer.  

Monday, February 17

Larry Cooley, 29, of Compton, couldn’t keep himself away from Hotel Claremont, so local police helped him out. Mr. Cooley first arrived at the south Claremont establishment on Sunday afternoon. Hotel employees allege he immediately became combative, clenching his fists and acting aggressively. Though asked to leave the premises, Mr. Cooley refused. Police arrived to escort Mr. Cooley away, arresting him for being under the influence of a controlled substance at the same time. He was back at it the next day and, once again, was carted off by police and arrested for trespassing. There have been no further incidents.

Tuesday, February 18

A petty theft on campus has left the Claremont Colleges out more than just a bronze plaque. The metal plate—reported missing from the quadrangle at 100 E. Tenth Street, where it had been affixed to a boulder—cost an estimated $752. There are no suspects.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com