Police blotter 1-16-15

Sunday, January 4

A Women’s History Month quilt proudly displayed at Scripps College became the target of a hate crime when an image of Rosa Parks was desecrated through written word. The quilt, collectively stitched by girls and proudly displayed in the Vita Nova hallway for many years, depicts remarkable women of all backgrounds in US history, including Ms. Parks. Above her image, an unknown suspect wrote the “N” word in place of her name. The racial epithet was discovered on December 5, 2014 and reported to campus safety. The quilt has since been removed. It’s unknown exactly when the crime occurred or if the quilt can be repaired. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact Claremont Police at (909) 399-5411.

Thursday, January 8

Big Brother is alive and well in Claremont, catching criminals in the act. An automatic license plate reader on Padua and Base Line Road alerted police to a stolen vehicle in the area. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle around 4 a.m. and made contact with the driver, 24-year-old Christina Mendoza-Romero. Both the Rialto resident and her passenger, 21-year-old Edgar Ayar of Montclair, had prior arrests for vehicle theft. During a search of the vehicle, police also discovered a crack pipe under the passenger’s seat. Ms. Mendoza-Romero was arrested for grand theft auto, possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remains in custody at Century Regional Detention Facility. Mr. Ayar was also arrested and later released on $20,000 bail.

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A suspect has been identified in a battery that occurred near Wheeler Park.

The victim and her boyfriend were at her residence around 11:30 p.m. when the couple became involved in an argument. She left the location upset and made contact with officers in the area. The victim told police that during the argument, the suspect grabbed her neck with both of his hands and attempted to choke her. According to police, the victim did not have any visible injuries and refused medical treatment. She also did not desire prosecution or a restraining order against the suspect, who fled the location.

Friday, January 9

A man looking for a lift should have hailed a cab rather than police, who escorted him straight to jail. According to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, suspect Antonio Esquivel was standing on the northeast corner of Indian Hill Boulevard and Auto Center Drive around 1:25 a.m. when he began waving his arms to get the attention of officers in the area, asking them for a ride home. After identifying himself to police, the 26-year-old told officers he was on probation for possession of stolen property. A search of his person revealed one debit card and two checkbooks that were not in his name. Mr. Esquivel admitted to police that he entered the locked lobby of Chase bank by swiping the debit card, fraudulently deposited checks and withdrew $200 cash. The Ontario man was arrested for burglary and receiving stolen property and transported to Claremont jail. He was later released on $20,000 bail.

Saturday, January 10

A dopey driver transporting more than just his passenger was arrested after committing a series of traffic violations in the City of Trees. Suspect Ronny Lau was speeding and caught the eye of Claremont police around 10 p.m. after he made an unsafe lane change and failed to halt at a stop sign near Yale and Sixth Street.

Officers conducted a traffic stop and, while speaking with the 33-year-old driver, could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Upon further investigation, police discovered several jars with approximately 28.5 grams of marijuana within the vehicle. The La Verne resident was arrested for transportation of marijuana and later released with a citation.

Sunday, January 11

A curbside collision on one of the city’s major roadways resulted in a DUI arrest.

According to Lt. Ciszek, Claremont officers were approaching Mountain Avenue around 1:30 a.m. when they witnessed a driver crash his vehicle into a south curb on Foothill Boulevard. Marcus Kibler admitted to drinking and driving, as well as taking prescription medication. Following a series of field sobriety tests, the 25-year-old was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. He was booked and later released on $5,000 bail.

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A petty theft investigation led to the arrest of a Pomona man in a Claremont hotel.

Around 1:15 p.m., police responded to the 800 block of south Indian Hill Boulevard following a report of jumper cables stolen from a nearby Chevron. Officers contacted the suspect, Shawn Carter, in a Motel 6 room and recovered the stolen merchandise. A records check also revealed the 49-year-old suspect had two active felony warrants. He was arrested for the warrants and transported to Claremont jail, where a search of his person later revealed the man to be in possession of methamphetamine and a pipe. He was booked and released on $26,000 bail. The jumper cables were returned to Chevron, whose employees chose not to prosecute the suspect but requested he not return to the location.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com