Police blotter 12-5-14
Monday, November 24
A La Verne teen busted for speeding ended up in the slammer for drunk driving. Around 6:30 p.m., Travis Hart was driving near Bonita Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard when officers clocked him doing 50 mph in a 30 mph zone. The 18-year-old driver was pulled over for speeding and, when officers approached the van, they discovered the vehicle didn’t contain any rear seats and saw a male and female lying down in the back. Further investigation determined Mr. Hart was under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested for DUI. He was released the following day on $5,000 bail.
Tuesday, November 25
A Pomona man apparently never heard of the saying, “The truth will set you free.” Leonard Arredondo called police around 7 p.m., stating three men wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks attacked him and stole his gold Nissan Sentra. Officers contacted Mr. Arredondo outside Viva Madrid where he displayed symptoms of intoxication, eventually telling the officers he’d drank a bottle of vodka earlier but didn’t drive to the location. “Three guys punched me in the face and stole my car from the alley, might have been four guys,” he said. “Truth is, it might have happened anywhere from Towne Avenue to Indian Hill Boulevard. I was driving and they attacked me.” The officer found the 38-year-old man’s keys in his pocket and another officer located the man’s vehicle on Mountain Avenue. Officers determined the carjacking was a false report and arrested Mr. Arredondo for being drunk and disorderly. He was released the following day on $250 bail.
Wednesday, November 26
According to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, officers responded to the 600 block of Geneva Avenue around 12:30 p.m. after residents heard at least five gunshots in the area. Witnesses told police they spotted the suspects leaving the area in two vehicles although their descriptions were vague. Five shell casings were located. No residents were injured and there were no reports of damage. Investigation is ongoing.
Friday, November 28
A vehicle’s empty gas tank solicited some unwanted attention for a wanted woman. Officers were dispatched to Base Line Road following a call of a potential drunk driver, who failed to stop at a red light and was driving with their hazard lights flashing. Police located the vehicle at a Shell gas station and contacted the driver who told police the reason he ran the red light was because he’d run out of gas. A check of the passenger’s ID revealed five active warrants for prostitution. Passenger Adrean Montagna, 34, of Fresno, was arrested and booked at Claremont PD where she was later released on $75,000 bail.
Saturday, November 29
A Claremont man met up with a couple of old friends, drank too much and walked the streets collecting recycling before ending up in police custody. Officers were dispatched to Bates Place and Blaisdell Drive around 2:15 a.m. after receiving several calls of someone yelling and throwing items in the street. Upon arrival, officers located Arin Allen holding a large piece of metal that he claimed to have been collecting for recycling. During the investigation, officers determined Mr. Allen was intoxicated and arrested him for being drunk and disorderly. “It’s probably for the best that I spend the night in the drunk tank,” he told officers.
Sunday, November 30
For one Covina man, throwing up is apparently the new normal. Christian Ramirez was spotted by police near First Street and Yale Avenue, surrounded by vomit and passed out in his vehicle. Officers had seen the vehicle an hour earlier in the same location with the brake lights on and the engine running before conducting a welfare check. The officers approached the car and saw a male resting his head on the driver’s side door. They tapped on the glass, woke up the 28-year-old driver and asked him if everything was okay. Mr. Ramirez told police he’d had three beers and repeatedly told police, “This is normal.” He also told officers that he planned on driving home and denied taking a nap or passing out, just before he vomited on himself yet again in front of police. He was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
Tuesday, December 2
The Arco AM/PM gas station at the corner of Foothill and Claremont Boulevards was robbed at approximately 6:49 p.m., according to a press release from the Claremont Police Department. The suspects approached the counter, simulated a handgun under their clothing and demanded cash from the register. The clerk complied and handed the men an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the Claremont Police Department. The robbers then fled on foot east through the parking lot. The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 25 to 27 years old, standing five-feet, eight-inches tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds. He was wearing a black and white plaid shirt, black vest and a black and red baseball hat. The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 25 to 27 years old, standing five-feet, eight-inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was wearing a blue-hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black hat. Anyone with information in this case should contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411. As of press time, CPD has not released a photo of the suspects.
—Angela Bailey
news@claremont-courier.com
