Police blotter 10-17-14

Thursday, October 9
A Claremont cyclist took a serious fall on Mills Avenue and Scottsbluff Drive after striking debris on the roadway, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. The 29-year-old male was traveling south in the bicycle lane on Mills Avenue around 8:20 a.m. when his tire hit a small rock, causing him to go over the handlebars and onto the pavement. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his knees and elbows and was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital after complaining of pain to the right side of his head, which showed visible swelling and a small lump. He was not wearing a helmet when he crashed.
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An Upland man driving on a suspended license was arrested after witnesses identified him as the suspect in a hit and run collision. At approximately 11: 45 a.m., Andrew Chairez was driving along Cucamonga and Mills Avenue when his vehicle collided with a center median and he fled the scene. Officers arrived and determined the car was stolen out of San Bernardino, taken in a carjacking where the suspects used a handgun to commandeer the vehicle. Two witnesses described Mr. Chairez to police and he was found a short time later, several blocks south of the collision. The 30-year-old admitted to driving the stolen vehicle and leaving the scene. He was arrested and a records check revealed his license was suspended in 2012. The Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Mr. Chairez with unlawful taking of a vehicle, a felony. He was arraigned on October 14 in Pomona court, plead no contest and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation. A misdemeanor charge of hit and run was dismissed as a result of his plea deal.
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A La Verne resident fell victim to phone scammers who continue to prey on the kind hearts of Good Samaritans. Between October 7 and October 9, the 74-year-old victim received several calls on his cell phone from an unknown suspect claiming to be an attorney. The suspect stated the victim’s grandson was in jail in New York for DUI and told the victim he needed $4500, $3000 and $4000 to get his grandson out of jail and to pay for repairs. Over the course of three days, the victim acquired Green Dot cards in the requested amounts and provided the numbers on the back of the cards to the suspect. When the suspect called again, requesting an additional $35,000 to be wired to an account in Ontario, Canada, the victim called his grandson who told him he was okay and had never been arrested. The phone scammer has yet to be identified.

Friday, October 10
Three suspects remain at large after a brazen theft at a Claremont grocery store. At approximately 4:49 p.m., two suspects entered Vons located at 550 E. Base Line Rd. and left with six cases of beer without paying. The duo walked to a black two-door Hyundai where a third suspect was waiting and helped load the cases of beer into the trunk of the car. A witness saw the three suspects leave the location, headed eastbound on Base Line Road. The items stolen include one case of Bud Light, one case of Stella Artois, two cases of Bud Light Margarita-in-a-Can and one case of Shock Top with a total value of $71. The suspects remain at large and are described as a 24-year-old white male, 160 pounds, 5’9” with black hair; a 22-year-old Asian male, 5’10” and 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and a 22-year-old white male 5’10” with brown hair.
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Loss prevention officers at a Claremont Stater Bros. had a busy day at the office after arresting two thieves back-to-back. Around 4:30 p.m., 46-year-old Deborah Gonzalez entered the store to redeem her recycling center voucher when she and an unknown subject walked down the razor aisle, picked one up and exited the store. The Pomona resident was arrested for petty theft after officers recovered a Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor valued at $22.99. A couple of hours later, Santa Ana resident Keith Wilmington entered the same store with a messenger bag and $4.65 in cash. When the 51-year-old man walked past the cash register lines without attempting to pay for the merchandise and exited, he was also detained. Two pounds of 85 percent lean ground beef, Old Spice deodorant, a pack of Bic disposable razors, a box of Nestle drumstick ice cream cones, two packs of Dial bar soap and a box of Budget Saver popsicles were found in his bag. Mr. Wilmington admitted to entering the store with the intent to steal merchandise and was arrested for burglary. On October 14, the Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Mr. Wilmington with second-degree commercial burglary, a felony to which he plead not guilty. Three previous out-of-state felony convictions, including robbery, burglary and aggravated criminal sexual assault increased his bail from $20,000 to $170,000. He is due back in court on October 27.
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A Claremont woman with a foul mouth and too much to drink was arrested following a verbal altercation with her cheating boyfriend. Officers responded to the 400 block of Cedar Crest Avenue when a neighbor called 911 after witnessing Caroline Wright standing in the driveway of the residence, screaming at a male inside a vehicle and trying to prevent him from leaving. Further investigation determined the 31-year-old woman was intoxicated and she was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. While in the patrol car, Ms. Wright removed one of her handcuffs and actively resisted officers telling them, “Let go of me or I will head-butt both of you!” She continued to struggle and use foul language, calling the officers just about every profane word she could think of, according to police. Ms. Wright was booked and volunteered that she was upset with her boyfriend for infidelity and she had to drown her sorrows in beer. She was held to detox and was later released with a citation.

Monday, October 13
A pervert took matters into his own hands in the bathroom of a local park and then fled the scene. A male victim walked into the men’s room at Wheeler Park around 6:15 p.m. and found the suspect with his pants unzipped, standing in one of the stalls and pleasuring himself. The suspect, described as a 35-year-old male Hispanic, 5’7” and 155 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair, turned to the victim and, in the most vulgar way possible, asked him if he was well endowed. The victim walked out of the bathroom, followed by the suspect, who ran eastbound and out of sight.
—Angela Bailey
news@claremont-courier.com