Grinchmas Eve Pilferers Nabbed while Pinching the Post Office
CLAREMONT – A vehicle parked on the east side of the Claremont Post Office at approximately 3 AM on December 24th gave pause to a Claremont PD Officer. As the vehicle drove away from the blue collection boxes, a traffic stop ensued.
The consent for a vehicle search was given by husband and wife — Erik Gomez (34) of L.A., and Amida Arrutia (44) of Lennox — where officers “located hundreds of pieces of mail, checks, a long thin strip of carpet with an adhesive backing, and sticky rat/mouse traps,” said former Police Commissioner and current City Councilmember Ed Reece.
“Claremont PD arrested two Grinches trying to steal on Christmas Eve,” announced Reece, “for identity theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and burglary tools.”
The pilferers are being held on $50,000 Bail, and booked at Claremont PD, as they await a holiday-schedule court hearing.
Anyone who placed mail in the blue mailboxes in the east alley of the P.O after 4 PM on 12/23/19, and believe that they may be a victim, is urged to contact Claremont PD (909) 399-5411, as victims are being identified and contacted.
