 Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT – A Pomona man is being held in lieu of $4 million bail, accused of gunning down his victim who was found dead in a motel parking lot early Monday morning.
John Martinez, 45, was identified early during the homicide investigation and was tracked to West Covina where he was arrested July 18, according to the Claremont Police Department. The unidentified victim, only described as a male, was found gravely wounded in the parking lot of the Claremont Lodge, 736 S. Indian Hill Blvd. Officer were called to investigate reports of gunfire at 12:10 a.m., according to the Claremont Police Department. “Officers and paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department performed life-saving measures, however, the male succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement. Anyone with information that can help the investigation is urged to call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT – 1,610 marijuana plants were found flourishing in various stages of growth inside a rental home, Claremont Police said. Funnily enough, firefighters were called at 4:20 p.m. to the home in the 4100 block of New Hampshire Avenue April 7 to smoke seen coming from a home. Firefighters discovered an attic fire and marijuana plants within, according to the Claremont Police Department. With the help of a search warrant, Claremont officers found every room had plants growing within. The street value of the plants was estimated at more than $1 million. “The extreme measures used to illegally grow the marijuana endangered the neighborhood. The fire was most likely caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement. “The home was filled with jerry-rigged wiring used to power special lighting and air filtration systems, including wiring that bypassed the electrical meter and circuit breakers. The electrical power to the residence was disconnected to eliminate the hazard for the public.” The rental property was initially rented out as a fully-furnished home. It was seriously damaged by the work done for the grow operation. The home was deemed unsafe and was red-tagged, the Claremont Police Department said.   Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - One person was wounded by gunfire, another received other injuries in a neighborhood shooting on Salem Court early Wednesday.
Officers responded at 8:20 a.m. after being called to a report of shots fired at a home in the 1800 block of Salem Court April 7. One victim was found laying on the street. He was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and was pronounced dead, according to the Claremont Police Department. Firefighters, dispatched at 8:23 a.m., found a victim in traumatic full arrest, according to Inspector Henry Narvaez, public information officer with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. One other person was found with injuries not related to gunfire, Narvaez told SGV CityWatch. “A 71-year-old male suspect was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered,” according to the Claremont Police Department. It is unclear if the other wounded person was the alleged gunman.  Written BY AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor 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.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - One person was declared dead on arrival after a vehicle crashed below Mt. Baldy Road Wednesday.
The crash on Mt. Baldy Road at North Padua Avenue was dispatched to firefighters at 4:43 p.m. May 13. Firefighters will be working a difficult extrication due to the distance the vehicle crashed and the terrain.  Google Maps. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - A pedestrian was injured after being hit by a vehicle, a county fire dispatcher said. The collision occurred at 6:52 a.m. at Indian Hill Boulevard and West First Street. The pedestrian was transported to a hospital, Los Angeles County Fire Dispatcher Supervisor Cheryl Sims told SGV CityWatch. The Claremont Police Department deemed the injuries as serious. Indian Hill Boulevard will be closed from West First Street to West Green Street for several more hours.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - Police are searching for the driver who struck and killed a pedestrian early Wednesday.
The collision occurred in the 1600 block of North Towne Avenue near Syracuse Drive. Firefighters returning to their station discovered the body of a 50-year-old man on the roadway, according to the Claremont Police Department. The body was found just after 2:30 a.m. January 8. There is no vehicle or suspect description. A California Highway Patrol broadcast indicated the suspect vehicle should have Major front end damage and windshield damage.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - A collision has destroyed a power pole, knocked down a transformer and has caused live wires to fall on top of a vehicle Sunday. The crash occurred at 9:19 a.m. Firefighters cannot help the driver of the vehicle until power to the lines is removed at West 6th Street and North Indian Hill Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Workers from Southern California Edison are en route to de-energize the power lines. It is unclear if any other vehicles are involved in the crash.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - Three students were injured after the bus they were in collided with another vehicle, the California Highway Patrol reported. The collision occurred near North Towne Avenue and Baseline Road around 1:54 p.m. April 29. The three students received minor injuries, according to a representative with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. CHP traffic logs do not describe any injuries to the driver of the second vehicle. Los Angeles County firefighters assisted the U.S. Forest Service -- the crash happened in the latter's jurisdiction.  PHOTO/Google Maps. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor CLAREMONT - A small fire was knocked down after it ignited in a Claremont restaurant late Tuesday night.
The Fire ignited in a vent inside the first-floor restaurant at 1 N. Indian Hill Blvd. at 11:51 p.m. November 20. The building is also home to two additional stories of businesses, according to Dispatch Supervisor Miguel Ornelas of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The restaurant is listed as Blaze Pizza. The fire was contained to the vent area and was knocked down at 12:23 a.m., Ornelas said. No injuries were reported. A cause is under investigation. |
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