Police blotter 1-29-16

Monday, January 18

An unidentified shoplifter entered the MW Smoke Shop on the 400 block of Auto Center Drive at approximately 9:43 a.m. and stole several boxes containing California State Lottery Scratcher tickets, according to Lt. Mike Ciszek. He then left in an unknown direction. He is described as a white male, approximately six feet, 150 pounds, with a goatee and wearing all black clothing. The estimated property loss is around $800, but the thief probably only won around $20 total.

Wednesday, January 20

A panhandler was arrested for a warrant after witnesses saw him harassing passing cars. Officers arrived at the location on the 1300 block of Towne Avenue at approximately 4:31 p.m. after hearing reports that a males was chasing cars and asking for money. A records check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear. He was transported to the Claremont Police Department jail where he was booked and later released with a ticket.

Thursday, January 21

An Ontario man thought he could get away with dining and dashing at the Village Grille. The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Peter Armendarez, allegedly entered the business, ordered food and tried to leave without paying his bill. Mr. Armendarez was placed under a private person’s arrest and was taken by officers to CPD jail, where he was booked and released with a notice to appear.

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An unlocked car was broken into between 7 p.m. on January 20 and 7 a.m. on January 21 on the 4100 block of Oak Hollow Road. The unknown thief entered the car and stole the victim’s purse, keys and an iPad while the car was parked in the driveway. The total estimated property loss is $1,081. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department.

Saturday, January 23

Several unlocked cars were broken into on a number of streets around Claremont over the weekend. The incidents happened overnight between January 22 and January 23, according to a release from the Claremont PD. The streets targeted were the 500 block of Scottsbluff Drive, the 1400 block of Whittier Avenue, the 300 block of Teasdale Drive, the 1800 block of Lassen Avenue and the 1800 block of Denver Avenue. Paperwork and some loose change were taken from some of the vehicles. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Claremont PD at (909) 399-5411.

Sunday, January 24

An unknown male stole a package containing children’s books from the front porch of a house on the 4000 block of North Garey Avenue. The victim witnessed the theft, which occurred at approximately 4:35 p.m., and saw the suspect get into a black Toyota Yaris before speeding off. The thief is described as a Hispanic man, 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department.

Monday, January 25

A 20-year-old woman was severely injured when she fell off her bicycle while traveling at a high rate of speed. The accident occurred at 9:50 a.m. near the intersection of Columbia and Tenth Streets. According to the report, the woman was traveling swiftly down Columbia when she braked as she approached a stop sign. She then fell over the front of her bicycle and fell on the street. The woman, a Claremont Colleges student, suffered lacerations to her face, abrasions to her left elbow and left shoulder and had missing teeth. She was transported by helicopter to County USC Medical Center for treatment.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com