Glendora detectives arrested a La Verne man and his girlfriend Tuesday night after the suspect tried to hide in the attic of a home.
The suspect, 32-year-old La Verne resident Nicholas Sweem, was sought by Glendora Police for a $50,000 theft warrant. Sweem hid in the attic of a La Verne house while his girlfriend reportedly delayed officers from arresting him, police said.
Detectives went to the house in the 800 block of Lake Avenue the night of April 21. Sweem’s girlfriend, 35-year-old Valerie Espinoza, initially told detectives that Sweem was in the house, but then said that he was nowhere to be found after checking inside, said Lt. James DeMond of Glendora Police.
Detectives entered the house and discovered Sweem was hiding in the attic. While it was not immediately known how long Sweem was in the attic, he eventually surrendered to police.
La Verne Police assisted Glendora with the arrest, DeMond said.
Sweem was booked on the Glendora theft warrant, obstructing an officer and also had a $150,000 warrant out of San Bernardino County for manufacturing methamphetamine. He is being held in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles.
Espinoza was arrested and booked on suspicion of delaying an officer. She was issued a citation and released.
Court date information for Sweem was not immediately available.
