Police blotter 9.15.12

Road rage incidents involve drivers with a gun

Road rage was taken to an unexpected new level on 2 separate occasions this week. Both cases involved an angry driver with a gun, according to Lieutenant Shelly Vander Veen. On Wednesday afternoon, September 5, following an episode of road rage near Indian Hill and Radcliffe, a driver claims he was followed to the Vons Shopping Center. He alleges he got out of the car to confront his pursuer, but was stopped short when the man pulled out a gun and asked if he had a problem. The driver backed away and apologized. The pursuer then drove off. The man with the gun is described as a white male, unshaven, wearing a white tank top. Officers were unable to locate him.

Claremont police were notified of a similar road rage pursuit near Doane and Mountain Avenues in Pomona Friday afternoon, September 7. The driver called the police, claiming the man pursuing him was brandishing a handgun. Police caught up with the vehicles after the pursuit ended in a non-injury crash. A handgun was found in the driver’s side pocket of one of the vehicles. Pomona PD handled the arrest.

Thursday, September 6

An early-morning bicycle ride landed a 20-year-old Pomona resident in jail Thursday, September 6. Denzel Thompson, who said he was in Claremont hanging out with a friend, claimed he stole the bicycle to make his “long walk home” a bit easier. He attempted to steal a bike from an apartment in the 500 block of Bucknell Avenue, but ran and hid nearby after being confronted by a witness. The close call was no deterrent as Mr. Thompson attempted yet again to steal a bike. He didn’t get far down the street before police caught up with him. Mr. Thompson was arrested for the theft as well as for being in possession of a backpack filled with burglary tools.

Friday, September 7

Another vacant Claremont residence was targeted in a burglary that ended in the arrest of a 36-year-old Claremont man. Theodore Forsi was spotted carrying a desktop printer away from the home in the 200 block of East San Jose around 4:30 p.m., according to Lt. Vander Veen. The printer was taken away a few blocks later and exchanged for handcuffs.

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A $36 shirt was nabbed from a display shelf of Village West’s new Maple Boutique early Friday evening. The thief was described as a 19-year-old female with blonde hair, weighing about 100 pounds.

Sunday, September 9

Police are investigating a chain of serial car burglaries plaguing north Claremont neighborhoods.

Since Sunday, September 2, more than 10 cars have been targeted on streets that include Via Zurita, King Way, Alamosa, Monterrey, Blue Mountain Way, Chestnut Hill, Turning Bend Drive, Sweetbriar and Padua Avenue.

In each case a car door was left unlocked. Stolen items include several laptops, wallets, iPods, jewelry, cameras and CDs. In one such incident—reported on Sunday, September 9, at 4 a.m. in the 2000 block of Sweetbriar Drive—a resident described seeing a Hispanic male and female in a mid-size, black sport utility vehicle, similar to a Chevy TrailBlazer, parked nearby. Police have been able to obtain latent prints and are following up on information obtained through the crook’s use of some of the stolen credit cards.

Monday, September 10

Traffic and construction is one thing, but drivers near Foothill and Towne ran into an unanticipated roadblock on their Monday lunch break when Brandon Williams decided to use the roadway as his sidewalk. The 21-year-old Valencia resident was found to have an outstanding warrant for trespassing as well as resisting/obstructing an officer, walking his way right into Claremont jail time.

Tuesday, September 11

A 32-year-old Pomona resident driving with a suspended license brought attention to himself late Tuesday afternoon when he was seen sitting and drinking a beer in the parking lot of Rhino Records.

A witness claims Nathan Williams proceeded to leave the empty beer can in the parking lot and drive away. Police caught up with Mr. Williams nearby and, though he was not found to be driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, he was arrested for driving with the suspended license.

Wednesday, September 12

A month after a similar act of vandalism at Jax Bicycle Center, located at 217 First Street, trouble strikes again. Around 1 a.m., a passerby notified police that one of the front windows of the business was shattered.

An unknown object had been used to break the window, according to Lt. Vander Veen, who said there was no appearance of a break-in. It is estimated that the window will cost about $1500 to replace. There are no suspects at this time.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com