On Saturday, August 4, Derrick Chiaratti, 26, of Rancho Cucamonga was found sound asleep behind the wheel of his Toyota Corolla around 5:15 a.m. However, his slumber was taking place while in the middle of the right-hand lane off the intersection of Foothill and Indian Hill boulevards, his car still in drive with his foot on the brake. Even stranger, he was found asleep with a knife in his hand. Claremont police had such an unusual week, the police blotter makes our headlines.
A high-speed pursuit ended in arrest Friday night, but not before traveling clear into San Bernardino. The chase began around 9 p.m. on South Indian Hill Boulevard near the 10 freeway. The man failed to stop for Claremont Police, who were alerted of the stolen car, instead leading them on the 10 freeway headed west. He attempted to throw police off his path by exiting at Dudley Avenue, running a stop and heading back onto the freeway going east, but police continued in pursuit.
Police are searching for a man involved in an early morning break-in in the 400 block of West Foothill Boulevard. It’s believed the man entered Pacifica Recovery Services through a roof top door, according to a city news release. Though several computer stations had been moved, police believe the crook was stopped before any of computers could be stolen. The business owner is in the process of identifying what might have been taken.
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.
