Claremont Ice Cream Shop Attempted Break-In: Three Arrested

CLAREMONT, CA — Two men and a woman were arrested Thursday after an officer interrupted an alleged break-in attempt at a Claremont ice cream shop.

An officer patrolling a Vons Shopping Center about 1 a.m. saw a man in a hoodie near the front of the Baskin Robbins store at 602 E. Baseline Rd., according to Claremont Police Department Lt. Jason Walters.

"When the officer drove over to contact the subject, he discovered a second subject crouched down near the front door of the business also wearing a hooded sweatshirt and wearing gloves," Walters said. "One subject immediately fled on foot as the officer gave chase. This subject was apprehended near Baseline Road and Claremont Heights Drive."

The second suspect fled south through the shopping center and was not located.

"Officers canvassed the area and located a parked vehicle that was occupied by a third subject on Claremont Heights Drive north of Baseline Road," Walters said. "The investigation revealed that the vehicle and third subject were related to the crime."

Two of the three suspects were arrested and investigators identified the third and traced him to a home in Rialto, where he too was taken into custody, the lieutenant said.

The suspects were identified as Javier Cornelia, 34, of Lynwood; and Valerie Karnes, 33, and Nathan Vigil, 21, both of Rialto.

Both Cornelia and Vigil were booked on suspicion of attempted burglary and conspiracy. Cornelia also was booked on suspicion of possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest.

Karnes was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy, Walters said.

All three were being held on $50,000 bail, Walters said.

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