Police blotter 5-6-16
Wednesday, April 27
A Claremont man was arrested Wednesday morning on charges of possession of child pornography. Brian Hilton, 57, was arrested at his home on the 800 block of Pepperdine Lane just after 8 a.m., according to Lt. Mike Ciszek of the Claremont Police Department. A warrant for Mr. Hilton’s arrest was obtained after an investigation that began in August 2015. Officers received an anonymous tip relating to Mr. Hilton through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Lt. Ciszek would not disclose how much illegal material Mr. Hilton was alleged to have possessed at the time of arrest, the nature of the material or what devices the material was on, pending an ongoing investigation. Mr. Hilton was transported to Claremont jail.
Friday, April 29
Police arrested a Claremont woman for spousal abuse after she allegedly chased her boyfriend with a butcher knife. Ruth Ayon, 32, was arrested after police were called to a home on the 600 block of South Indian Hill at approximately 11:25 a.m. regarding a fight. Ms. Ayon was reportedly belligerent when police arrived. An investigation revealed she allegedly hit, punched and scratched her boyfriend, resulting in injuries to his hand, arms, back and lip. Police said she also armed herself with a butcher knife and chased him around the house. Ms. Ayon was sent to Pomona Valley Medical Center for medical aid, and afterwards was sent to CPD jail and held for bail/court.
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An elderly Claremont couple fell victim to a phone scam. The scam happened at approximately 10 a.m., when the couple received a call from someone pretending to be their grandson, who claimed he was in a Florida jail, according to Lt. Ciszek. The man asked the couple to send $2000 for attorney’s fees. The man then called back and identified himself as the attorney, “John Thomas,” and instructed the couple to buy four iTunes gift cards totaling $500 each and give him the card numbers over the phone. After doing so, “John Thomas” tried to get them to buy an additional $1500 in iTunes gift cards. The couple became suspicious and contacted other family members, who claimed their grandson was asleep at home. There is no further information on the suspects at this time.
Saturday, April 30
A Montclair man was arrested for warrants after he was found during an unrelated burglary investigation. The burglary occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. on the 600 block of West San Jose Avenue, when a man described as Hispanic with a black or dark green hooded sweatshirt entered the unlocked door of a house. A dog inside the house began to bark, scaring the burglar and waking up the homeowner. The burglar escaped through the door where he entered, and no property was stolen. During the investigation, police found 41-year-old Carmelo Cipriano, who matched the suspect description, walking in the area. Mr. Cipriano was determined not to be the suspect, but did have warrants out for his arrest. He was taken into custody. The actual suspect remains at large. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.
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The passenger-side window of a Hyundai Sonata was smashed by an unidentified suspect at the Wilderness Park at around 2:30 p.m. Surveillance footage showed a truck driven by a Caucasian male parked near the Sonata around the time of the alleged burglary. A detective, who was in the parking lot of the CVS on Towne Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, noticed the suspect’s truck in the same lot. During an investigation, officers found stolen goods, including the victim’s purse, inside the truck. Officers also found numerous other purses and briefcases, as well as needles and a meth pipe. The driver never returned to the truck and it was towed away with the found goods entered as evidence. Anyone with information should call the Claremont PD at (909) 399-5411.
Monday, May 2
Upland resident Robert Priest, 65, was arrested for committing a hate crime and brandishing a weapon after a road rage incident on Monday, May 2 at around noon.
The male victim and Mr. Priest were driving westbound on Arrow Route at Claremont Boulevard when the two men exchanged words while stopped at the red light. Mr. Priest allegedly yelled a racial slur aimed at Arabs while displaying a handgun at the victim.
Officers responded to 9-1-1 calls from each of the men and met up with them on Arrow Highway, east of College Avenue. Mr. Priest was arrested at the location without incident, according to the police report.
Officers located the handgun registered to Mr. Priest, who was carrying the concealed weapon legally with a valid concealed-carry weapons permit. The victim was not injured during the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this crime or anyone who was in the area of Arrow Route and Claremont Boulevard or at El Barrio Park (251 S. Claremont Blvd.) around 12:10 p.m. on Monday, May 2 is urged call the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.
—Matthew Bramlett
