Police Blotter 2-5-16
Tuesday, January 26
A woman narrowly avoided getting hit by a car in the Village Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at the eastern edge of Yale and Bonita at approximately 8:26 a.m., when the 39-year-old female driver made a left turn while driving south on Yale, according to Lt. Mike Ciszek. Unbeknownst to her, a 49-year-old female pedestrian was in the middle of the crosswalk. The pedestrian leaped out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, missing the car, but suffered an abrasion to her left arm and pain in her knee. She was transported to Pomona Valley Medical Center for treatment.
Wednesday, January 27
Claremont police arrested a Pomona man fur a DUI after he left Buca di Beppo at about 12:30 a.m. Eder Castro, 22, was observed by witnesses exiting the restaurant and arguing with a woman in another car. When the woman left, Mr. Castro got in his car and attempted to leave the parking lot, but was quickly pulled over by police officers. The officers determined he was too drunk to drive, and Mr. Castro was arrested and transported to CPD jail, where he was booked, held for detox and released.
* * *
An unknown burglar broke into a woman’s car and stole a Michael Kors purse in the parking lot of Kiddie Academy on the 600 block of Foothill Boulevard. The incident happened at approximately 4:23 p.m., when the victim parked and locked her car. When she returned seven minutes later, her car’s front passenger window was smashed and her purse was missing. The purse was valued at around $400.
Two days later, on January 29, another car was broken into, this time in front of the Claremont McKenna Childrens’ School on the 600 block of Sixth Street. Witnesses observed a white, newer model Acura TL drive up next to a white Toyota Camry at approximately 12:33 p.m. The driver exited the Acura and smashed the front passenger window of the Camry, stealing a wallet and a diaper bag.
Claremont police believe the same man is responsible for both burglaries. He is described as Hispanic, wearing a black hooded Nike sweatshirt with dark jeans and black shoes. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.
Saturday, January 30
A Pomona man was picked up for DUI after attempting to leave the scene of an accident without giving out his information early Saturday morning. The accident occurred at the corner of Lehigh Drive and San Jose Avenue, when a car driven by 27-year-old Vicente Ortiz collided with another car at approximately 3:34 a.m., according to Lt. Ciszek. There were no injuries, but Mr. Ortiz attempted to flee the scene instead of giving the other driver his info. Police later noticed his car, complete with extensive front-end damage, a flat driver-side tire and a large cloud of smoke surrounding it, traveling westbound on La Verne Avenue and north on Carrie Lane. Mr. Ortiz then exited the vehicle, and police could smell a strong odor of alcohol on him. Mr. Ortiz refused all sobriety tests and was taken in to CPD jail, where a search warrant had to be obtained to conduct a blood test on Mr. Ortiz. He also had a warrant for his arrest for another DUI, and Mr. Ortiz was held for bail/court due to the possibility of it happening again.
* * *
An after-wedding melee unfolded at the DoubleTree Hotel, with as many as 10-15 people involved. The incident happened at the hotel around 11:30 p.m. When officers arrived, one person who was allegedly involved in the fight was located in a restroom with about a two-inch laceration on his forehead. He was treated and airlifted to County USC Medical Center. Nobody has been arrested, but Lt. Ciszek said the department is waiting on a judgment from the DA on possible charges in the incident.
Sunday, January 31
The body of a man was found in a car at Evey Canyon and Mt. Baldy Road Sunday morning. Police responded to the scene around 9 a.m. and found the body in the car with a charcoal barbecue in the back seat, according to the police report. The coroner has not released a cause of death, pending an autopsy, but Claremont police are treating it as a possible suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255.
—Matthew Bramlett
news@claremont-courier.com
