Pasadena Man Arrested, Accused of Drowning Victim in Claremont

Written BY AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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CLAREMONT - Police arrested a man, accusing him of intentionally drowning another man at a residential pool June 13.

Masoud Bitarafan, 34, was booked on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $5 million bail in the drowning of a still-unidentified victim in a pool in the 900 block of Appalachian, according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

Los Angeles County firefighters responded to the scene around 7:50 p.m. Saturday.

Police responded about 8 p.m. The victim was not breathing and had no pulse. He was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased, according to the Claremont Police Department.

“Police determined that the victim and suspect were in the pool together. While in the pool, the suspect held the victim under the water, which is believed to have contributed to his subsequent drowning and death,” the Claremont Police Department said in a written statement.

Video surveillance apparently helped contribute to Bitarafan’s arrest.

Bitarafan is scheduled to appear at Pomona superior Court June 16.