Police blotter 7-1-16

Thursday, June 23

A Pomona man was arrested for annoying a child after allegedly following and talking to a 13-year-old girl as she walked through town. John Shepherd, 34, was repeatedly talking to the girl while on his skateboard as she walked on 11th Street between Mountain Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard, according to Det. David Hardin of the Claremont Police Department. Once the girl reached her destination, she called police. Police did not reveal what Mr. Shepherd said to the victim. Mr. Shepherd was located at Memorial Park and arrested around 10 a.m. He was charged with annoying or molesting a child, a misdemeanor, and cited.

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A Claremont police officer picked up on a 1998 Honda Civic parked in a parking lot on the 1300 block of Garey Avenue that was reported stolen out of Rialto. Police staked out the area and eventually, 26-year-old Francisco Martinez of Montclair emerged from one of the businesses in the center and got into the car. He was pulled over by police and arrested.

Friday, June 24

A local transient was arrested after running away from police and trying to spit at officers. Anthony Cole, 30, was reportedly panhandling in front of the Chevron/McDonalds around 11:30 a.m. on the 800 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard. When officers arrived, Mr. Cole took off running. Officers caught up to him and placed him in handcuffs. While inside the squad car, Mr. Cole allegedly tried kick and spit on the officers. He was charged with assault on an officer and sent to CPD jail.

Saturday, June 25

A man who was reportedly high on narcotics was arrested after trying to unlock doors on Pomona College property. Campus Safety initially responded after 38-year-old Benjamin Gray of San Dimas was seen trying to open the door of the Smith Campus Center on Sixth Street around 3:30 a.m., according to Det. Hardin. Once Mr. Gray was seen, he took off running and was eventually caught by responding Claremont Police Department officers. He was arrested for prowling and being under the influence of narcotics and transported to CPD jail.

Sunday, June 26

An unknown thief smashed the window of a parked car near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Mt. Baldy Road, taking a purse and two wallets. The theft happened between 7 and 8:30 a.m. When the car’s owners returned, they noticed that the front passenger window had ben smashed and the wallets were taken. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

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Police arrested an Oak Hills man after he was seen breaking into parked cars in north Claremont. Jameson Thomas, 22, was reportedly seen on the 500 block of Sebastopol going through unlocked cars and leaving the scene on his skateboard. Police found him near the intersection of Alamosa Drive and Grand Avenue with multiple items that were stolen from the cars. He was arrested for possession of stolen property and theft, and transported to CPD jail. 

Tuesday, June 28

A mail thief was arrested after allegedly breaking into community mailboxes at a Claremont apartment complex. Abimael Veracalderilla of Ontario was arrested for theft and possession of burglary tools after a security guard witnessed him breaking into the mailboxes at Brighton Park Apartments. The security guard took note of the getaway vehicle and contacted police, who located Mr. Veracalderilla and arrested him, according to a release from the Claremont Police Department. The stolen mail was also recovered in the car.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com