Police blotter 3.1.13

Police nab trio ditching stolen car

On Tuesday, February 26, Aimga Magallanes and Ryean Jones, both 18, and 24-year-old Shawn Doty were caught idle, quite literally. The trio of Riverside residents ditched a car, still running, in the driveway of a home in the 2300 block of San Joaquin Court Tuesday morning and took off through the home’s backyard. Unfortunately for them, a neighbor witnessed the whole thing. In the time it would take have taken the culprit to turn off the car to make a clean getaway, police were notified. Further reason for a stealthy getaway: the car was reported stolen.

Mr. Doty and Mr. Jones were easier catches for police. Mr. Magallanes, not so much. Police chased down Mr. Magallanes through several backyards before taking him into custody on Winthrop Avenue, according to Detective David De Metz. Mr. Magallanes is being charged with prowling and resisting arrest. Mr. Magallanes and Mr. Doty are being charged with possession of the stolen vehicle, while Mr. Jones is being charged with grand theft auto. At this time, police do not believe the trio broke into any homes. Investigation continues.

Friday, February 22

Another hiker fell victim to burglars in the Evey Canyon/Mt. Baldy turnout, parking for an enjoyable morning hike only to deal with a car break-in an hour later. Similar to previous incidents near the Wilderness Park, burglars broke into the vehicle by smashing the rear passenger window with an unknown object. A jacket, tools and car stereo estimated at about $235 was taken. There are no suspects in this case.

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Twenty-seven-year-old Bradley Sarver of Covina left behind a calling card before exiting his hotel room at Claremont’s DoubleTree Hotel Friday around 4 p.m. It came in the form of a bag of syringes found in the hallway outside his hotel room door. Maids informed the manager who, in turn, alerted police. Officers have not been able to positively identify the bag as Mr. Sarver’s, but they did arrest him for an outstanding warrant, according to Detective David De Metz. He was wanted for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Saturday, February 23

Mauricio Rojas, 22, of Claremont took the term “road hog” to a new level  as he traveled west on Foothill Boulevard preparing to go south on Yale Avenue. Police say Mr. Rojas was stumbling and walking in the middle of the roadway. When officers approached him, he became argumentative, according to Det. De Metz. He was arrested for being drunk in public and held at the Claremont jail until sober.

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The homeowners and police remain in the dark about what exactly took place at 3600 Leicester Court at 9:55 p.m. on Saturday. Residents arrived home to find a broken window with blinds out of place and their bedroom door was locked from the inside. Believing a burglar was in the room, the residents called police. Local agencies including a K-9 unit arrived on scene, but found themselves at a loss. The room was empty and the bedroom window was locked. The residents are still trying to figure out if anything was stolen.

Sunday, February 24

A clerk at the Chevron McDonalds was a little too generous Sunday afternoon, letting a stranger use her iPhone upon his request. The man immediately made it his own, taking off with the stolen property. Unfortunately for the theif, it didn’t take much sleuthing for police to find him as the iPhone has a tracking system. Police found the phone at a pawnshop, where it had been sold for $75, and with the help of Pomona police found 32-year-old Pomona resident Michael Llamas shortly thereafter. Mr. Llamas is sticking to the story he gave police: He needed to use the phone to work out a drug deal. Whatever the case, Mr. Llamas was arrested for petty theft and for possession of stolen property.

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Local agencies are joining together to put burglary suspects behind bars. Around 1 p.m. on Sunday, Claremont police were alerted of a vehicle driving down Mills Avenue associated with a burglary in La Verne. Police were able to identify the car through the city’s Automated License Plate Readers, which are placed on select intersections throughout the city and track license plates of those associated with outstanding crimes or wanted individuals throughout Los Angeles County. Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle without incident, other than the fact that the driver of the vehicle, 35-year-old Rachel Lamar of Claremont, decided to pull into the center of the bustling Vons Shopping Center, according to Det. De Metz. Police drew their guns in case Ms. Lamar tried to run, but Det. De Metz said the arrest was made without any incident. Ms. Lamar was turned over to the La Verne Police Department for further investigation.

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If they don’t win the jackpot, it’s all for naught. A burglar broke into the Shell Gas Station at 1091 W. Foothill Blvd. Monday evening, making off with $2000 in lottery tickets. They also stocked up on $8000 in cigarettes, $175 in cash and a secured safe. There was no sign of forced entry. Police are reviewing surveillance tape as investigation continues.

Monday, February 25

Inka Trails Peruvian Restaurant, located at 1077 W. Foothill Blvd. next door to the Shell Gas Station, also fell prey to the same burglars, police speculate. Restaurant employees arrived to work Monday morning to find the front door had been forced open and cash was missing. Investigation continues.

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Dustin Reader did not want to go down without a dramatic finish. The 31-year-old, who was pulled over by police because the car he was driving was identified as stolen, pulled into the parking lot at the Claremont Care Center, 219 E. Foothill Blvd., around 2:30 p.m., but didn’t hand himself over to police without a battle. Instead, Mr. Reader jumped out of the car and ran across all lanes of traffic on Foothill Boulevard to the front of American Way Thrift Store, where he took a fighting stance, according to Det. De Metz.

After a short scuffle, Mr. Reader was taken into custody. It turns out there might have been an additional reason for the fight. Inside the car was over an ounce of methamphetamine, a digital scale and baggies, say police. He was arrested for grand theft auto, resisting arrest and possession of drugs for sale.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com