Police Blotter 2-24-17

Wednesday, February 15

A transient was caught breaking into a black Range Rover on the 200 block of East San Jose Avenue. When police arrived around 8:40 a.m., they found 37-year-old Steven Weber still inside the car, according to Lt. Mike Ciszek of the Claremont Police Department. Mr. Weber was arrested for burglary and transported to CPD jail. No property was stolen from the Rover.

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A burglar got away with about $20 in change after breaking into a local restaurant. The burglar broke into Casa Jimenez between 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. by forcefully pulling the back door of the business. Once inside, the thief took a cash register that only contained the paltry amount. There is no suspect information at this time. Anyone with information should call the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

Thursday, February 16

Another burglar broke into a local business and got away with a much larger haul. Between 7 p.m. on February 16 and 10 a.m. on February 17, the burglar used a tool to pry open the locked glass door at Artistic Expressions on the 200 block of west Foothill Boulevard. Among the items stolen were approximately $10,000 in napkin rings, necklaces, bracelets and other items. There is no suspect description.

Friday, February 17

An elderly Claremonter fell victim to a common scam. The thief, posing as the grandson, called the victim and relayed he was in jail and needed $7,800 to pay for bail and other fees. The thief suggested the victim pay for the bail using Wal-Mart gift cards, the serial numbers of which were read aloud to the thieves so they can get the cash. The investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, February 18

A Riverside woman was arrested for DUI after reportedly crashing into a parked car. Rebecca Torres, 26, reportedly crashed her BMW into a parked Chevy Tahoe near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Dartmouth Avenue around 3:40 a.m. She remained on the scene when officers arrived, but police determined she was too drunk to drive after administering a field sobriety test. Ms. Torres was arrested and transported to CPD jail.

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An Ontario man was arrested for DUI after he was seen running a stop sign. Donald Ornelas, 26, was observed committing the traffic no-no at Eighth Street and Mountain Avenue. When police pulled him over, they not only determined he was too drunk to drive, but a check revealed he was on probation from a previous DUI incident.

Tuesday, February 21

A security camera was the only item stolen from a dentist office Tuesday morning. The thieves smashed the front window of the building on the 400 block of west Base Line Road around 4:40 a.m., Lt. Ciszek said. The burglars ransacked several drawers and desks, but made off with only the camera. Anyone with information should call the Claremont Police Department.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com