Police Files - June 22, 2000

-- Compiled by Kenneth Ma and Torus Tammer

A transient was arrested and charged with robbery June 13 in connection with a hold up at a Bank of America branch on the corner of Brookhurst

Street and Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach police said Craig B. Northington, 46, entered the branch

at 20061 Brookhurst St. at 11:15 a.m. and demanded money from a teller.

Northington was able to take an undisclosed amount of money from the

teller without using a gun, Sgt. Richard Butcher said. He then left the

bank and headed south on Adams Avenue in a blue Toyota Corolla, police

said.

A Costa Mesa police helicopter spotted the suspect’s vehicle traveling on

side streets in Huntington Beach. Police arrested him on Warner Avenue,

east of Pacific Coast Highway.

Northington’s bail is set at $50,000, police said.

Accident claims life of bicyclist

A man died Sunday after he was struck by a delivery truck while riding

his 18-speed bicycle alongside Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach.

Gary Vern Cloward, a 53-year-old resident of Lynn Street, died from

severe head, back and leg injuries after he was hit from behind on Warner

near Sceptre Lane, said Lt. Chuck Thomas, spokesman for the Huntington

Beach Police Department.

The driver was Emigdio Cervantes, 24, of Los Angeles, police said.

Thomas said neither speed, drugs nor alcohol was a factor. He said

charges have not been filed, pending an investigation.

Retiree to do Avon fund-raising walk

Retired senior volunteer Sandy Hermer of the Huntington Beach Police

Department is trying to raise money for cancer prevention and research.

Hermer will participate in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, a 60-mile walk

from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles that is estimated to take three days.

Community support and help is needed. Anyone wishing to donate money to

the cause can make a check payable to Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, care

of Lt. Chuck Thomas of the Huntington Beach Police Department, 2000 Main

St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

Information: (714) 536-5693.