Police blotter 5-15-15

Tuesday, May 5

A visit to a south Claremont Starbucks cost one woman more than the price of a skinny mocha. The female victim parked her black Chevy Cruiser in the east parking lot of the coffee shop located on the 800 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard at around 8:30 p.m. and left her purse in the car. When she returned to her vehicle 10 minutes later, the rear driver’s side window was busted out and her handbag was gone. The unknown thief made off with the victim’s Coach wallet, driver’s license, social security card, checkbook and two Disneyland passes.

Wednesday, May 6

A Claremont driver making an unsafe move across Base Line Road struck a man riding his bike around 2 p.m. According to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, the 42-year-old Upland bicyclist was traveling east on Base Line Road in the bike lane. The driver of a Toyota Camry was traveling south on Aquinas Avenue and drove across all lanes of traffic on Base Line so she could pull into the Vons shopping center. The 67-year-old driver failed to yield to the cyclist, who collided with the passenger side of her vehicle. The victim was transported to San Antonio Regional Hospital for pain to his left pinky finger and a cut on his left elbow.

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A traffic collision in the parking lot of Blaisdell Park resulted in the arrest of a woman for DUI. Around 5 p.m., officers responded to the scene after the victim in the collision identified the vehicle involved as a gray 2006 Nissan Maxima parked in the lot. Police located the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Valerie Robertson, who was seated in the car, wearing a seatbelt with an empty Old English beer can in the center console beside her. Further investigation revealed the Nissan had been reported stolen by the Los Angeles Police Department three weeks ago. The victim of the stolen car told police Ms. Robertson had taken the car and he’d tried to get her to return it but she refused. Claremont police determined the 23-year-old transient was under the influence of alcohol and arrested her for DUI and taking a vehicle without permission.

Thursday, May 7

A Pomona resident who was evading police struck another vehicle, killing the driver. According to Lt. Mike Ciszek, Claremont police attempted to stop the driver of a stolen 2014 silver Mercedes E350 heading south on Towne Avenue around 11 p.m. for driving without illuminated headlights. The driver, Michael Gardner, accelerated and fled west on Arrow Highway. Due to wet roads and the suspect’s high rate of speed, the officer did not pursue the driver. Mr. Gardner’s vehicle collided with a silver Honda in Pomona, killing the 32-year-old female behind the wheel. The 37-year-old suspect fled on foot and was later apprehended. Witnesses identified Mr. Gardner as the driver of the stolen vehicle and officers determined he was driving under the influence. Pomona Police Department officers arrested him and he remains in custody at Twin Towers in downtown Los Angeles on $1.1 million bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Pomona court on May 27.

Saturday, May 9

A Pomona resident who had been released from the Claremont jail was arrested shortly thereafter following an assault. Around 1:30 p.m., the victim and his 14-year-old son were driving west on Bonita Avenue when Mark Yarbrough threw a 9-by-6-inch piece of concrete at the victim’s car. The victim was forced to accelerate and drive on the wrong side of the road in order to avoid the concrete hitting the passenger-side windshield, where his son was seated. The 10-pound piece of concrete struck the rear quarter panel on the passenger side and rear taillight on the vehicle. Officers located Mr. Yarborough, who was later identified by the victim as the suspect. Mr. Yarbrough, 47, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and throwing an object at a vehicle. He had been arrested by CPD for an outstanding warrant and released just two hours before committing the assault. He remains in custody in downtown Los Angeles.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com