​Suspected Claremont Burglars Arrested After Crashing While Fleeing Police

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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CLAREMONT – A Los Angeles man and 17-year-old runaway from a group facility were arrested, accused of burglarizing a Claremont business October 18.

The duo are accused of burglarizing Euro Café, 546 E. Baseline Rd. Officers were dispatched at 2:47 a.m. and after arriving 30 seconds later, saw a suspect flee the business and into a waiting black Jeep SUV, according to the Claremont Police Department.

An officer attempted to block the driver from escaping, but the driver used the Jeep SUV, later determined stolen in Ontario, to ram the patrol vehicle, according to the Claremont Police Department.

While being pursued by officers, the driver and passenger fled onto Baseline Road without headlights and soon entered the eastbound 210 freeway in opposing lanes of traffic. Officers cancelled the pursuit due to the driver’s reckless nature, according to the Claremont Police Department.

“While checking the IS-210 freeway for the suspect vehicle, an officer located a traffic collision on the freeway, west of Fruit Street, involving the suspect vehicle and another vehicle. It was determined that the suspect vehicle was unoccupied, and officers responded to the area to search for the suspects,” according to the Claremont Police Department in a written statement.

One suspect was caught hiding in some bushes. A Claremont Police K9 arrived and sniffed out the second suspect who was also hiding in some bushes along the right shoulder.

Officers found in the Jeep SUV three cash registers, one reportedly taken from Euro Café, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Dejon Butler, 19, was booked on suspicion of burglary, felony evading, evading while driving the wrong way, grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail ahead of a scheduled court appearance October 20.

The 17-year-old was booked on suspicion of burglary, resisting arrest and was later released to the custody of the group facility on a citation to appear in court, according to the Claremont Police Department.

The La Verne Police Department and a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Helicopter assisted with the search.