Police blotter 3-1-19

Monday, February 18

Two men were arrested after allegedly carjacking a victim’s car while another victim was inside and trying to run over the car’s owner. The two victims met up with 33-year-old Francisco Sandoval of Pomona and 30-year-old Ricardo Villar Padilla of Pomona around 5:11 p.m. because one victim owed Mr. Padilla money, according to Lt. Mike Ciszek of the Claremont Police Department. One victim got out of the car, with the other victim staying inside, to meet with Mr. Padilla and Mr. Sandoval. An argument allegedly started, and Mr. Sandoval got into the victim’s car, telling the other victim to use her phone, and locked the doors. Mr. Padilla is also accused of trying to run over the other victim with his car. Mr. Sandoval allegedly took off in the victim’s car to the Old School House parking lot, where police intercepted the car. Both men were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon.

Tuesday, February 19

Police are investigating a home burglary on the 3700 block of Padua Avenue. Between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m., the unknown suspect bent a kitchen window brace and entered the home, Lt. Ciszek said. The home is currently for sale, and was full of staging furniture at the time of the break-in. The thief got away with a rug, some tablecloths, antique canisters and other items totaling just over $1,000 in value.

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Around 2:45 p.m., an officer pulled over 29-year-old Blake Norbury of Corona in front of Motel 6 just south of the 10 freeway. Mr. Norbury was allegedly in possession of an unknown controlled substance and was arrested. Police then went to a room at the motel where Mr. Norbury was staying, and found 33-year-old Jonathan Ganci of Ontario allegedly in possession of drugs as well, along with a warrant. Both men were arrested and taken to CPD jail.

Wednesday, February 20

Around 10:15 a.m., officers in the area of Mills Avenue and Foothill Boulevard found a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado allegedly driven by 35-year-old Luis Rondon was stolen, Lt. Ciszek said. The officers followed the truck to Arrow Route and Monte Vista Avenue in Upland, where they attempted to pull the driver over. Mr. Rondon then left the truck and ran south, jumping over a fence and into the reservoir. He was caught by police and taken into custody on charges of grand theft auto, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest.

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Another stolen car was recovered, this time near the intersection of Crystal and La Verne Avenues just after 5 p.m. Police found a parked Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was reported stolen our of Chino on February 16, Lt. Ciszek said. As the officers waited in the area, 20-year-old Ramsell Maldonado arrived to the car, put gas in it via a small gas can, and got in the car. Police surrounded the vehicle, and Mr. Maldonado was arrested without incident on suspicion of grand theft auto.

Thursday, February 21

Two people were arrested after they reportedly crashed into a Claremont garbage truck and tried the flee the scene on foot. Around 7:30 a.m., a car allegedly driven by 23-year old Joaquin Carranza of Pomona crashed into the truck in front of the city yard at 1616 Monte Vista Ave. Mr. Carranza and a passenger, 21-year-old Alyssa Guerra of Alta Loma, then tried to run from the scene. Ms. Guerra was caught by police as she was trying to enter a Lyft ride share. Mr. Carranza fled into a nearby back yard, where he was caught by police and eventually Tasered after he continued to resist arrest. Both were allegedly intoxicated when the incident occurred, and Mr. Carranza had a warrant out of San Bernardino County.

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Two Claremont brothers were arrested following a drug investigation at Claremont High School. Grant Pastula, 23, and Dante Pastula, 21, were arrested after a search of their home on the 600 block of Delaware allegedly yielded a loaded shotgun, a rifle with two 30-round high capacity magazines and brass knuckles, Lt. Ciszek said.

The case stems from a possession of marijuana and narcotics for sale incident at the high school on November 27, 2018. Pills were also reportedly found in the home, but no further information was available. A baggie of cocaine was also allegedly discovered in Dante Pastula’s pants, Lt. Ciszek said. Both pleaded not guilty at their court appearances on Tuesday—Dante for possession of large capacity magazines and a controlled substance, and Grant for possession of large capacity magazines and brass knuckles. Both have a pre-trial hearing set for March 27.

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Officers were called to Stater Bros at Foothill and Towne just after 8 p.m. regarding someone who appeared to be under the influence. When police arrived, they found 24-year-old Francisco Rodriguez of Alta Loma, who fled on foot after seeing officers arrive. When he was caught, he showed signs of being drugged out, and had a bottle of Fireball whiskey he allegedly stole from the supermarket. He was arrested and taken to CPD jail.

Saturday, February 23

A 15-year-old boy was arrested after he allegedly drove drunk on the wrong side of the road, made threats and threw beer bottles at officers. Police pulled over a car going the wrong way at Mt. Baldy Road and Padua Avenue around 2:30 a.m. The teenage driver allegedly started throwing beer bottles at officers, and was uncooperative and argumentative, Lt. Ciszek said. He had a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana, and was arrested. While he was in jail, the boy reportedly struck an officer on the right forearm, and made a gun out of his fingers while saying that when he would get out of jail, he would kill the officer. The boy was booked and released to the custody of his mother. Two other teenage boys in the car were not arrested.

Monday, February 25

Mark Brady, 28, of Diamond Bar, was arrested after he was caught driving a stolen Dodge truck. The arrest occurred in the Claremont Lodge parking lot at 11 p.m. Police determined the truck was stolen via carjacking in San Bernardino on January 4, Lt. Ciszek said. Mr. Brady was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, and two other passengers who were uninvolved were released at the scene.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com