Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Last Week’s Critical Incidents

Editor’s Note: In this report, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez reviews noteworthy incidents which occurred or were concluded in recent weeks in Pasadena.

On February 26, from 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m., Pasadena Police Motor Officers conducted a DUI checkpoint. The detail was supervised by Sergeants M. Ortiz and Dahlstein, along with several other police officers and employees. The program was funded by CA Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Approximately 1,476 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. 18 drivers were pulled out of the checkpoint for suspected DUI. Subsequent field sobriety test resulted in four (4) arrests for DUI.

On March 1, at about 11:06 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 100 block of Vinedo Avenue regarding a brandishing a firearm investigation. On arrival, officers learned the victims were standing in front of the American Legion Hall when they were approached by the suspects who were in a vehicle. The passenger suspect asked the victims for “cigarettes” and subsequently pointed a semi-automatic pistol at them. The suspect vehicle fled the area prior to the arrival of the police. Despite a comprehensive check of the area, the suspects were not located. No one was injured in this incident.

On March 2, at about 6:16 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 400 block of Raymond Avenue regarding a disturbance investigation. On arrival, PPD officers observed the subject of the disturbance and approached him. Without warning or provocation, the suspect struck one of the officers on the forehead. The suspect was quickly arrested without further incident.

On March 3, at about 6:42 p.m., Pasadena Police officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of York Drive and Lake Avenue after seeing the driver commit a CVC violation. Officers contacted the driver and during their field investigation, they recovered a loaded magnum revolver. The driver, a known street gang member, was arrested without incident and transported to the Pasadena jail.

On March 3, at about 9:56 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 300 block of East Orange Grove Boulevard regarding an ADW (Assault with a Deadly Weapon) investigation. On arrival, officers learned that the victim was approached by the suspects as he walked home. The suspects confronted the victim, and without provocation, threatened him with knives. The victim fled the location while another community member called the police. Officers located the suspects in the area and detained them without incident. Following positive field identification, the suspects were arrested and transported to the Pasadena jail.

On March 4, at about 10:49 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 00 block of Claremont Street regarding a fight in progress. The reporting party told PPD dispatchers one of the subjects involved in the fight was armed with a pistol. As the officers approached the group they heard a single gunshot and the suspects immediately fled the area. PPD officers chased the suspects who were detained a short time later without incident. Officers subsequently located a firearm in close proximity to the suspects. The suspects were arrested without incident and transported to the Pasadena jail. The efforts of these officers removed yet another gun from our community.