Police blotter 12-14-18

Monday, December 3

Police are investigating a home burglary on the 900 block of Reed Drive. Between 7:15 a.m. and noon, the unknown burglar smashed the rear glass door of the home, taking a safe containing miscellaneous paperwork and about $18 in cash, Lt. Jason Walters of the Claremont Police Department said. The safe and its contents were worth about $500. There is no suspect information.

Tuesday, December 4

A man stole two power tools from the backyard of a home on the 600 block of Marylind Avenue. Between 11:30 a.m. and 12:40 p.m., the suspect entered the yard and took a concrete saw and a Hilti breaker worth about $3200, Lt. Walters said. Description on the suspect is scarce—he was described as a Hispanic man, five feet, eight inches tall and 200 pounds with black hair. Police are investigating.

Wednesday, December 5

Two people were arrested after police caught them in a stolen car. Officers checked a plate on a Jeep Liberty at Foothill and Towne around 12:45 a.m. and discovered not only was the license plate stolen, it didn’t match the SUV. Officers pulled the Jeep over and ran the VIN, which came back as stolen out of Los Angeles on November 8. The driver, 31-year-old Gabriel Medina of Azusa, was arrested for grand theft auto, possession of meth and a pipe. The passenger, 47-year-old Olga Benitez of Azusa, was arrested for possession of meth, a pipe and a warrant.

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A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer. Police were called to Prestige Preschool at 520 W. Base Line Road around 1:55 p.m. after witnesses saw the boy getting into an argument in the parking lot. The boy allegedly refused verbal commands from the officers and resisted arrest, leading to a scuffle, Lt. Walters said. The boy and officers suffered minor abrasions to their hands and knees. He was arrested and taken to CPD jail.

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Around 9:15 p.m, a witness called police regarding a suspicious subject on the 500 block of Wesley Way. Police found the man, 34-year-old Brian Maxwell, in the area and allegedly in possession of methamphetamine. It is unknown what he was doing in the area that led to the call for service. He was arrested and taken to CPD jail.

Thursday, December 6

A Pomona man was arrested on drug charges in the Stater Bros parking lot at Foothill and Towne. Police were initially dispatched to the parking lot around 6:50 p.m. in regards to an iPhone sale, Lt. Walters said. Officers found that one of the parties involved, 23-year-old Jose Romero, was in possession of meth and a pipe, and was arrested and taken to CPD jail.

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Police are investigating a break-in at Hendrick’s Pharmacy. At about 5:04 a.m., two suspects used a crowbar to smash a large glass window at the pharmacy at 137 Harvard Ave.. The suspects were gone before police arrived, but surveillance footage from the scene showed them entering the business through the smashed window, walking down several aisles and opening drawers in the office. Both suspects were wearing gloves, dark jackets with hoods over their heads and masks covering the bottom of their faces. They were of average build and height, but age or race could not be determined. Anyone with information should call the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

Friday, December 7

A Moreno Valley man was arrested after he initially called police claiming a car was following him. The incident occurred right in front of the police station at 570 W. Bonita Ave. around 5:40 a.m. When officers came out to check, they determined 46-year-old Shawn Jackson was under the influence of an unknown substance. He was arrested.

Saturday, December 8

Someone used a Claremont resident’s checking account to pay around $1,000 worth of various bills. The breach occurred between December 3 and December 8 at 1:30 p.m., when the victim noticed the funds had vanished, Lt. Walters said. It is unknown how the suspect got access to the checking account. Police are investigating.

Sunday, December 9

Someone stole a passenger airbag from a 2017 Honda at the Claremont Village apartments on the 900 block of Arrow highway. The theft occurred between 10 p.m. on December 8 and 9 a.m. on December 9, when the suspect pushed down the side window of the car and stole the airbag, valued at $1,700. There is no suspect information.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com