CLAREMONT – A 25-year-old man was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder August 12, accused of killing a woman found suffering from traumatic injuries in a vehicle.

The woman was found in the vehicle parked at the Murrieta Police Department, 2 Towne Square. First responders were called to the police parking lot just after 10:30 a.m., according to the Claremont Police Department.

A suspect, later identified as Claremont man Jeffrey Alexander Calzada, was detained at the scene.

Murrieta Police officers learned the homicide occurred in Claremont near Garey Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.

Calzada is being held in lieu of $ 2 million bail in the Claremont Police jail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court August 16, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

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 – Police discovered a mother and her child dead inside a home Tuesday after the two had reportedly not been seen for a few days.

Based on concerns for the mother and child’s well-being, police forced their way into the home in the 1400 block of Morton Circle after their knocking on the front door went unanswered. Both were found dead, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Police responded to the home at 7 p.m. October 26.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears that the mother killed the child and then committed suicide. The weapon used during the incident was a knife and it was recovered at the scene,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

The 18-month-old was identified as Arianny Reyes-Arevalo. The mother was identified as Anabel Reyes-Becerra, according to Sarah Ardalani, public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Police did not discover signs of forced entry and police do not believe there is any outstanding suspect.

Anyone who may have information that can aid the investigation is urged to call the Claremont Police Department Detective Bureau at 909-399-5420.

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.