Police blotter 3-26-21
Wednesday, March 17
Claremont Police Department officers on patrol at the Claremont Lodge, 736 S. Indian Hill Blvd., checked on the welfare of a group of people walking in the parking lot at 12:39 a.m. One of them, Lakisha Bentley, 39, from Fontana, had a felony warrant out for her arrest from San Bernardino County, and was taken into custody. Claremont police transferred Ms. Bentley to the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, where she was held before appearing in court to answer for the warrant.
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Police on patrol at the Motel 6 at 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd., contacted a man in the parking lot, 51-year-old Montclair resident Paul Castanon. A records check revealed a no-bail felony warrant from Los Angeles County, and Mr. Castanon was arrested and transferred to the Inmate Reception Center in downtown Los Angeles, where he was held prior to a court appearance.
Thursday, March 18
A resident in the 1400 block of Mural Ave. called CPD at 12:38 a.m. after allegedly seeing a prowler in her backyard. Police arrived and took a report and description from the woman, who desired prosecution and signed a “private persons arrest” document. A 38-year-old unhoused man who fit the description was found shortly thereafter walking near Foothill Blvd. and Lynoak Ave. The alleged victim was transported to the scene and made a positive ID, and the man was taken into custody, charged with misdemeanor prowling. He was then booked and released with a citation to appear in Pomona Superior Court.
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An apparent mewcomer to the whole crime business who police say had just stolen a tip jar from the nearby Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf location at 101 N. Indian Hill Blvd. made a rookie mistake and decided to have a rest on the sidewalk directly in front of the Claremont Police Department offices at 570 W. Bonita Ave. Officers emerging from the station about noon were on their way to the coffee shop to take a report when they noticed a man who matched the description of the alleged thief, Pomonan Juan Diaz de Leon, 34, right there in front of them. They placed him under arrest for misdemeanor theft, the Coffee Bean employee arrived and made a positive ID, and Mr. Diaz de Leon was then booked and released with citation to appear in court.
Monday, March 22
Claremont police on patrol noticed a car speeding south on Mountain Ave. near Foothill Blvd. at 2:40 a.m., and attempted to pull it over. The driver, 27-year-old Pomona resident George Walker, apparently just wanted to go home—despite the flashing lights in his rear view mirror—and instead of pulling over he made his way through the city to his Pomona house at 2800 San Carlos Dr., lights flashing all the while, before emerging from his car. Claremont cops attempted to conduct a field sobriety test but Mr. Walker was uncooperative. Police say he exhibited signs of being intoxicated, and he was arrested for three misdemeanors: driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest and evading a police officer. He spent the rest of his early morning hours sobering up in the Claremont jail before being released with a citation to appear in Pomona court.
Tuesday, March 23
Police arrested 22-year-old Claremont resident Benjamin Alves for felony DUI after he allegedly lost control of his car and struck a parked Toyota Prius, injuring its driver. The collision happened at 3:50 p.m. on Sumner Ave. near Berrian St. Mr. Alves was arrested for felony “DUI causing great bodily injury within 10 years of other DUI offenses.” He was booked and after detox released pending further investigation, police said.
