Pasadena Man Involved in Earlier Police Confrontations is Arrested Again

A man who has allegedly been involved in two volatile confrontations with Pasadena police recently was arrested again Sunday night during a traffic stop, police said.

Patrol officers pulled over the suspect, Sanjay Kumar Varma, 33, about 10:10 p.m. near Greenhill Road and North Rosemead Boulevard after they say he committed a traffic violation.

Varma’s driver license was expired, authorities said, and when officers searched the car they allegedly discovered 1.5 ounces of methamphetamines as well as credit card cloning equipment.

Varma is well known to Pasadena police.

In early March, Varma was arrested during a traffic stop after he allegedly resisted arrest and was found to be carrying a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol in his pants waistband.

Last November, two Pasadena police officers said Varma attempted to run them over as he tried escape arrest in a stolen car. Fearing for their lives, one officer fired his service pistol. Varma was not hit by the officer’s gunfire and fled the location, but was later apprehended.

Varma has posted bail pending hearings in those cases and was free on bail when detained Sunday night, authorities said.

Police said he was booked for driving with an expired license, possession of methamphetamines and illegal forgery equipment.