Police blotter 6.21.13

Police arrest suspect in armed robberies

A civil disturbance at the Claremont Lodge on Wednesday led police to the arrest of a man wanted for 2 armed robberies in Claremont. Suspect Davis Palomino, 26, of La Puente was being held at the Claremont jail pending his appearance in court today. 

Mr. Palomino is suspected of holding an employee of Yum-Yum Donuts at gunpoint last Friday, June 14, and making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The following day, police believe Mr. Palomino was involved in the armed robbery of a pedestrian on Second Street, displaying a semi-automatic handgun and demanded the victim’s cell phone before fleeing.

Though Mr. Palomino evaded arrest for a few days, it didn’t take police long to catch up. Officers responded to a civil dispute at the Lodge where Mr. Palomino, matching the description of the robberies, was located. Matters became worse for Mr. Palomino when police located a handgun and clothes matching the description of the donut store robbery in his car. He is being held for $50,000 bail. 

Wednesday, June 12

The action started right before closing at The Back Abbey on Wednesday night, when a jealous patron attacked a man he believed was flirting with his girlfriend, according to police reports. The weapon of choice was a barstool. According to witnesses, 23-year-old Juan Martinez-Hill of Alta Loma aimed the chair at the torso of a man leaning in to give his girlfriend a hug. As others attempted to stop Mr. Martinez-Hill, his aim was misdirected and Mr. Martinez-Hill says he accidentally hit the man in the head. While the victim was determined to be unhurt, Mr. Martinez-Hill was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

Thursday, June 13

A resident in the 100 block of Butler Court was sound asleep when burglars took the opportunity to enter the house through the unlocked front door. It wasn’t until the victim’s son arrived at the home that the homeowner found out about the robbery, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. The front door was found open and drawers ransacked. A list of missing property is being determined.

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A man’s musical inclination has landed him behind bars. Claremont police nabbed 32-year-old Jesse Goede of Pomona on Thursday, believing him to be responsible for stealing thousands of dollars worth of musical instruments and equipment from local churches.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2050 N. Indian Hill Blvd., was targeted 3 times over the past month and North Hills Church, 1717 N. Mountain Ave., was burglarized once, according to Claremont Detective Rick Varney. Follow-up investigation led police to suspect Mr. Goede of the robberies. Officers caught up with Mr. Goede on his afternoon bike ride on Thursday. Police served a search warrant at 2 storage units and Mr. Goede’s residence in Pomona, where more than $20,000 in stolen items were found—from mixing boards to microphones and an electric clarinet. Stolen property from both Claremont churches was recovered.

Friday, June 14

With heightened awareness of car thefts at the Claremont Wilderness Park, 60-year-old Gary Ballagante of Ontario chose the wrong time and place to loiter. Witnesses say they spotted Mr. Ballagante peering into cars parked near Grand Avenue and Mt. Baldy Road. Though he wasn’t seen breaking into the vehicles, police did determine Mr. Ballagante was wanted for 3 outstanding warrants for San Bernardino municipal code violations. He was arrested.

Monday, June 17

A woman enjoyed a few relaxing moments in her parked car at the Claremont Colleges before the tranquility came to an abrupt halt. The victim alleges she was approached by another woman, who threatened to spray her with pepper spray if she did not give her the car. The victim was left helpless as her car sped away from the lot on Dartmouth and Twelfth Street, according to police. The suspect is described as a Caucasian female with blonde or brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.

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A homeowner in the 2000 block of Silvertree Road returned home Monday afternoon to find both front and back doors wide open and a ladder leading up to the roof. An undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry were stolen. Investigation continues.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com