Police blotter 5-9-14

Bear making the rounds near Webb Schools

Claremont police received three calls this week reporting a bear sighting on the campus of The Webb Schools, located just north of Base Line Road. Last seen on Tuesday, May 6, the bear was reportedly near the dorms on the north side of Holt Hall and was last seen moving west off campus. Two additional sightings occurred on Sunday, May 4 and Thursday, May 1 near the same location.

The 72-acre campus is home to 404 students and some 100 faculty and staff. 

Wednesday, April 30

Two paintings to be sold at auction have been stolen from the garage of a local art dealer. The burglary occurred on the 1000 block of Harvard Avenue sometime between March 25 and April 10. The paintings, valued at $20,000 each, were to be sold at auction by Sotheby’s and were placed in the garage for storage. Although there is no sign of forced entry, the victim is sure the paintings were stolen and not misplaced. According to Lt. Mike Ciszek, there are no suspects at this time.

****

A Claremont resident was arrested at Espiau’s restaurant on Wednesday night following an altercation with her boyfriend. At around 10 p.m., the couple began a verbal argument, which turned physical when Michelle Rodriguez, 24, allegedly attempted to choke her boyfriend. She was arrested for domestic battery. Ms. Rodriguez is free on $20,000 bail.

****

An unlocked construction site on the 900 block of East Base Line Road became a grand theft crime scene when copper wire and air conditioning units mysteriously vanished. Around 4:30 p.m., suspects gained access to the property and made off with the items totaling $3,600. There are no suspects at this time.

Thursday, May 1 

A stolen vehicle was recovered and a suspect was arrested following a traffic stop by Claremont police. Juan Manuel, 19, was driving a 1993 white Honda Prelude that had been reported stolen out of Pomona. Mr. Manuel was arrested and taken into custody. His passenger, 21 -year-old Dianna Cervantes, was also taken into custody on an unrelated outstanding warrant.

Saturday, May 3

A Hollywood man was arrested for battery following an attack at Pitzer Hall in the early morning. Three people witnessed the suspect, Orlando Rodrigues Flores, allegedly punch a man in the nose with a closed right fist at 7:40 a.m. and then flee the scene. Mr. Flores, 23, was later found near Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway and arrested when he confessed to the attack.

****

Rhino Records was the victim of a petty theft Saturday evening when an Alta Loma resident saw a purse she liked and lifted it from the store. Carina Liberal, 32, was arrested after a Loungefly clutch was found stuffed inside her own purse. The paisley and skull covered black-and-white clutch is valued at $21.79. Ms. Liberal was booked and released after posting a $500 bail.

Monday, May 5

A Cinco de Mayo celebration ended early for a Rancho Cucamonga man when officers pulled him over and arrested him for DUI. Jason Smith, 29, was allegedly speeding when officers first spotted him around 8:40 p.m. Monday night. When Mr. Smith proceeded to run a red light, officers pulled him over near Indian Hill Boulevard and Ventura Way. Mr. Smith showed signs of intoxication and was taken to the police station where his breath test results registered a BAC level of .20. He was booked and later released on $5,000 bail.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com