Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - A 57-year-old man at the center of ongoing family disturbances and an eviction was fatally shot Monday, accused of withdrawing a firearm at Claremont officers.

The officers were at the home the man was being evicted from in the 900 block of Fenn Court around 4:30 p.m. February 3 when they saw the man leave the home.

The man also had a restraining order and against him.

The officers exited their squad car attempted to speak with the man. As they approached him, the man withdrew a weapon and the officers shot him, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Claremont Police Department Officers immediately rendered medical aid to the suspect who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Los Angeles County firefighters continued to aid the man who was taken to a hospital. He died several hours later.

The suspect’s handgun was recovered at the scene.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - Police shot and killed a male in a residential area Monday afternoon.

The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Fenn Court February 3. The male who was shot was taken to a hospital and declared dead, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is not publicly clear what led to the fatal confrontation.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - A road rage January 21 cracked a passenger-side window on the 210 freeway, but left a driver unscathed.

The driver of a white Acura sedan allegedly fired a BB gun, or similar weapon, at the driver of a 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 on the eastbound 210 freeway west of Baseline Road around 7:51 p.m.

The driver of the Dodge Ram merged from the eastbound No. 3 lane to the No. 2 lane. A white Acura approached at high speed and merged into the No. 3 lane.

The Dodge’s driver saw the Acura’s driver-side window roll down, heard a loud boom and the passenger-side window cracked, according to the California Highway Patrol.

“The victim saw a dark silver tube protruding from the suspect’s vehicle before it fled. He was unharmed, but his vehicle’s passenger window sustained a crack with a hole at the impact point,” according to the CHP in a written statement.

The Dodge’s driver exited the freeway onto Mountain Avenue and waited for law enforcement.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the California Highway Patrol Baldwin Park Office at 626-338-1164 and speak with Officer D. Sevilla.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - A Covina man and Upland woman are accused of committing a series of six burglaries over a two-day period.

Investigators were able to quickly identify the male suspect and tracked him to a Claremont hotel. After conducting surveillance, both suspects were arrested as they left their hotel room, according to the Claremont Police Department.

The burglaries occurred between January 2 and January 4 overnight: four were committed in the 800 to 900 block of West Foothill Boulevard, two in the 700 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard, according to the Claremont Police Department.

“CPD Detectives executed a search warrant at Bernal and Tinoco’s hotel room, where additional stolen property was located. These items included stolen property belonging to the Claremont victims of the commercial burglaries,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

Hector Bernal was booked on suspicion of of commercial burglary, grand theft, theft with priors, and possession of stolen property. Alexis Tinoco, 28, was booked on suspicion of possessing stolen property.

Bernal is being held in the Claremont Police Jail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court January 7. Tinoco was issued a citation and released, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - A man accused of shooting three people during a robbery May 17 and his accomplice are facing a slew of charges.

Michael Abeyta, 27, was officially charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of second degree robbery, three counts of criminal intent to terrorize and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

Each count of attempted murder, criminal intent to terrorize and second degree robbery carry a special allegation of use of a firearm.

Abeyta is accused of shooting three robbery victims at Super King Market, 436 Auto Center Dr. around 5:11 p.m. All three victims were treated at the scene and later hospitalized and were last listed in stable condition, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Witnesses and surveillance video helped officers identify the suspect.

During a search, clothing and a firearm believed to be used by the suspect were located hidden under a vehicle at a nearby business. A helicopter found the suspect walking in the 100 block of Meredith Avenue and he was arrested without further incident, according to the Claremont Police Department.

The accomplice, 37-year-old Amanda Soto, was identified during the follow-up investigation and arrested. She was charged with three counts of second degree robbery, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

Abeyta is being held without bail. Soto was released on her own recognizance. Both suspects are scheduled to appear in Pomona Superior Court July 2, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

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​The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - Authorities rescued a dependent adult who they said was kidnapped by a man met through social media and whisked away across state lines.

Jason Newberg, 43, is accused of coercing the victim to meet him in the middle of the night. The victim was picked up in Claremont and driven to Arizona, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Investigators searched through the victim’s social media records after a concerned family member believed the suspect took the victim across state lines. A suspect vehicle was somehow identified and tracked to Arizona, according to the Claremont Police Department.

The vehicle was found in Coconino County, Arizona, along with Newberg and the victim.

Newberg remains in the custody of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - Four suspects from Moreno Valley were arrested January 15, Accused of taking an estimated 3,300 worth of Nike products from a Kohl’s in La Verne, Police said.

Claremont officers performed a traffic stop on the vehicle and learned it was tied to the La Verne retail theft. During the traffic stop one of the occupants chickened out and ran on foot, but was caught nearby.

The items allegedly taken by the four suspects are all Nike products, according to the Claremont Police department.

The four suspects were booked on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, conspiracy and resisting or delaying a Police Officer, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - Authorities finally took a domestic violence suspect into custody late Friday night after he refused to surrender at the end of a very dangerous pursuit.

Ryan Screnar, a 37-year-old Upland resident, will be facing multiple felony charges in the coming weeks after investigators file the case against him, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Screnar allegedly went to the victim’s home in the 2200 block of Forbes Avenue sometime Friday and banged on the front door and attempted to force it open. Officers made contact with him as he sat in a vehicle outside of the residence and refused to exit, according to the Claremont police department.

“Responding officers determine the subject had an active domestic violence court order preventing him from being at the location,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

Screnar allegedly used his vehicle to ram several police vehicles and drove towards officers. He fled the neighborhood and was pursued by Claremont officers through town, as well as Ontario, Upland and Pomona where the pursuit ended with a crash on northbound Towne Avenue north of Bonita Avenue.

Screnar refused to surrender. Additional resources from Upland Police, Pomona Police, and the Foothills Special Enforcement Team worked to get Screnar to exit peacefully, which he did after being smoked out with pepper spray.

Medics treated Screnar at the scene and transported him to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center for further treatment.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION – The suspect accused of causing serious injuries after stabbing a male during a verbal argument was caught in Hollywood a week after the alleged crime.

Phillip Borunda, 41, was identified and detained by Los Angeles Police Department officers. Borunda was arrested by Claremont Police officers and booked on suspicion of attempted homicide and is being held without bail, according to the Claremont Police Department.

The stabbing occurred at the Claremont Metrolink Station, 200 W. First St., and was reported to first responders at 3:53 p.m. Sunday, October 22. Borunda fled before officers arrived.

Paramedics believed the victim’s stab wound to the ribcage was life-threatening, according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

“Since 2019, Borunda has been arrested by the Claremont Police Department 14 times, for crimes such as arson, burglary, possession of stolen property, and drug offenses. Borunda is currently out of custody awaiting arraignment for an arson arrest due to the Los Angeles County Bail Schedules and Pre-arraignment Release Protocols,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

Borunda is scheduled for an appearance in Pomona Superior Court Tuesday, October 31.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CLAREMONT - A suspect free due to new Los Angeles County bail policies is now wanted for attempted homicide after stabbing someone at the Metrolink station Sunday.

Phillip Borunda, a 41-year-old transient, is accused of stabbing someone in the rib cage during a verbal argument at the Metrolink station, 200 W. First St., just before 4 p.m. October 22. The victim suffered very serious injuries and was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center for further treatment, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Shockingly, Borunda has had frequent run-ins with the law yet remains free. Since 2019, he has been arrested 14 times by Claremont police officers for crimes spanning arson, burglary, possessing stolen property and drug offenses.

“Borunda is currently out of custody awaiting arraignment for an arson arrest due to the Los Angeles County Bail Schedules and Pre-arraignment Release Protocols,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

Borunda has a warrant for his arrest after failing to appear in court last month on a misdemeanor arson charge for a July 13 arrest.

The Claremont Police Officer Association is also pitting blame on a zero cash bail policy initiated by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, stating “unfortunately, District Attorney George Gascón’s “no-bail” policies have often resulted in his release without facing charges or consequences posing a significant threat to our community.”

Anyone with information leading to the arrest of Borunda, or who could help with the stabbing investigation is urged to call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411.