On Saturday, June 16 a routine room check for a housekeeper at the Claremont Lodge turned into what could have been a fatal attack around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The housekeeper found Charlie Clark, 47, of Moreno Valley, washing his hands in what was supposed to have been an unoccupied room at the Lodge. Mr. Clark looked at the housekeeper, putting his finger to his lips to gesture her to be quiet. However, the housekeeper left the room and reported Mr. Clark’s break-in to her manager.
Claremont police gathered at City Hall late last week for the annual police awards ceremony, honoring the accomplishments of the department’s personnel and volunteers. One of the department’s most distinguished awards was given to a woman without a badge or uniform.
In addition to recognizing those among its own ranks, Claremont police bestowed an honorary distinction, The Police Medal of Excellence, to a citizen of Claremont. The department gives this award to a resident who has shown exemplary service to both the Claremont PD and the community.
Claremont Police are requesting residents’ help to find a man connected with blowing up mailboxes in the northeast portion of the city.
Three mailboxes have been destroyed since Saturday June 2 by handmade explosive devices, according to a recent police report. The targeted houses are in the 800 block of Alamosa Drive, the 100 block of Limestone Road and the 3700 block of Vincennes Court.
The man is described as an 18 to 20-year-old white male about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds with red or blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts, believed to be driving a black Honda Civic.
Any suspicious person or activity should be reported to the Claremont Police immediately at 399-5411.
Claremont Police have caught a man in connection with competing auto burglaries near Mt. Baldy Road and Evey Canyon. Earlier this month, police arrested 2 other men for allegedly breaking into at least 6 cars in the same area. Despite the arrests, break-ins continued to occur in the canyon area, alerting police to the potential of another set of competing crooks, according to Lieutenant Shelly Vander Veen.
On Sunday, May 20 despite repeated attempts to get away, a Hesperia man failed to escape a police pursuit that began in Claremont Sunday morning. Police located a stolen vehicle out of San Bernardino near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Towne Avenue. Though the officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, James Chilcote, 25, fled and led police on a lengthy pursuit, which eventually took to the 210 freeway east. Because of Mr. Chilcote’s erratic driving, Claremont police terminated the pursuit soon after.
Two solo vehicle crashes on Base Line Road had similar turnouts Sunday and Monday night, May 13 and 14. A 39-year-old man driving a Honda CRV drove off the road in the 1200 block of Base Line and onto a sidewalk, striking and shearing off a fire hydrant. The man admitted he had "drank too much"Â and after being transported to Pomona Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, was arrested for driving under the influence.
A 20-year-old female was arrested after crashing into a police car Saturday evening at Towne Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. The Claremont police officer was transporting an arrestee, traveling south on Towne, when the woman made a left turn in front of the officer causing the vehicles to collide. Both the officer and the other occupant suffered injuries and were transported to Pomona Hospital for medical attention. Both were later released.
