Police blotter 4.5.13

Mirror-gazing man gets wrestled to ground

A man was left in an embarrassing situation on Monday, April 1 when his suspicions ran wild. Police arrived in the 400 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard in response to a suspected vehicle burglary in process.

As the story goes, the man had spotted another individual burglarizing his car. Police came to the scene, where the man and the assumed crook were wrestling on the ground. Turns out, it was all a misunderstanding, according to Lt. Ciszek. The supposed burglar was reportedly just inebriated and looking at himself in the car’s side mirror. There was no entry made to the car.

Thursday, March 28

It wasn’t a great week for Claremont cyclists. A woman was knocked off her bicycle by a driver coming out of the parking structure in Village West on Thursday afternoon. The driver failed to stop to see if she was okay.

Another female cyclist was airlifted to USC Medical Center last week when she lost control of her bicycle near Mountain Avenue and Via Espirito Santos in Claraboya. She had been traveling at unsafe speeds and was unable to stop, according to police. She suffered from abrasions to her elbow and thigh and pain to her shoulder and back.

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El Roble Intermediate School fell victim to a weekend vandal late last month. Sometime between March 23 and March 25, an unknown person threw a softball-sized rock through a window on the school’s south side. There are no suspects at this time. Investigation continues.

Friday, March 29

Police continue to investigate a lab experiment gone wrong in north Claremont Friday evening. Claremont dispatchers received an emergency call around 6:30 p.m. A witness claimed to have heard an explosion and scream for help in the 1900 block of Judson Court. Officers arrived on scene to find 27-year-old Austin Goodwin suffering from burns to his body after a chemical experiment blew up in his face, according to Claremont Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. Mr. Goodwin was allegedly in the process of turning marijuana into hash oil, Lt. Ciszek confirmed.

First responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were also on scene and treated Mr. Goodwin for his burns before transporting him to Pomona Valley hospital and then the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for further treatment. Follow-up investigation continues.

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Yelling doesn’t get you anywhere, or at least that’s how the old saying goes. But it wasn’t entirely the case for 51-year-old Robyn Taylor, seen screaming at cars as he attempted to hitchhike near the Chevron/McDonalds in south Claremont Friday morning. The screaming fit earned him the attention of the cops, who found the Rancho Cucamonga resident had an outstanding warrant for trespassing. Mr. Taylor secured a ride to jail.

Sunday, March 31

Eighteen-year-old Rain Felko of Juno, Alaska walked into the Claremont jail cell barefoot with one sandal on her hand. At least that’s how police found her near North Mills Avenue and Platt Boulevard. Police allege Ms. Felko was mumbling to herself and smelled strongly of alcohol. She was held until sober. Her other sandal has not been located.

Monday, April 1

A guitar and keyboard, along with speakers and other electronic equipment, were stolen from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church between Sunday evening and Monday morning. The crook gained entry through an unlocked side door. Stolen loot totals an estimated $3000.

Tuesday, April 2

A suspected sprinkler bandit, believed to be responsible for about $300 worth of stolen sprinkler heads in Claremont, may have cut loose his last brass sprinkler. At least for a while. Police arrested 52-year-old Stewart Sanquist on Tuesday, believed to be the man responsible for several extra-dry lawns in Claremont over the past couple weeks.

Police caught up with the Montclair resident after locating the recycling center receiving his stolen loot. An employee informed police that Mr. Sanquist had recycled an estimated 50 brass sprinkler heads within a several day period. Mr. Sanquist was arrested at his home. A glass pipe with methamphetamine was found in his pocket.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com