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.

Over the past months, several communities throughout the Los Angeles County have experienced numerous arson fires. A recent incident involved a fire and vandalism at Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights and Church of the Angeles in Pasadena. In an attempt to identify the suspect(s) responsible for the arson fires, law enforcement authorities implemented the House of Worship Task Force, which consisted of personnel from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, LAPD, Pasadena Fire & Police Departments, and the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Representing the PFD and PPD on the task force were Captain Trey Sorensen and Corporal Jon Buchholz. Over the subsequent weeks, Captain Sorensen, Corporal Buchholz, and taskforce personnel worked tirelessly pouring over reports, contacting witnesses, and reviewing evidence. On January 25, personnel from LAPD, LAFD, Pasadena Fire & Police, and the ATF arrested Christian Michael Garcia on suspicion of arson and vandalism. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for criminal filing consideration.

On January 11, Pasadena Police detectives identified a career criminal suspected of preying on elderly victims; stealing their wallets and identity in three different counties. The suspect, dubbed the “Newspaper Pickpocket,” removed the victim’s valuables after distracting them with a newspaper. There were four separate cases in Pasadena involving the Newspaper Pickpocket. The cases were assigned to PPD Detective V. Cass who began a comprehensive investigation. The available evidence helped Detective Cass, and his partner, Detective T. Blanchard, identify the suspect as Keith B. Morrow (male, 59 years). Morrow was in police custody on another matter; however, Detective Cass bundled his cases and presented them to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Subsequently, the D.A.’s Office filed 12 felony counts against Morrow, including Identity Theft and Theft from an Elder/Dependent Adult.

On January 21, at about 7:55 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated an Identity Theft case in the 100 block of Oak Avenue. Officers talked to the victim who said she received an alert from her doorbell camera system. The victim watched the live video which showed the suspect (Steven Martinez, male, 19, Los Angeles resident) steal a package from her front porch. The victim called PPD to report the crime. The responding officers saw a male matching the description of the suspect which was provided by the victim. The male (suspect) was detained without incident and subsequently arrested. The victim’s property was found in suspect’s backpack.

On January 26, at about 9:32 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 100 block of West California Boulevard regarding a theft. On arrival, officers talked with the store manager who said he confronted the suspect (male, 56, homeless) who was attempting to steal several items. When the manager contacted the suspect, he was nearly assaulted with a wooden object. Fearing for his safety, the manager retreated and called the police. Officers checked the area around store and located the suspect who was arrested without further incident.

On January 27, at about 3:07 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a local hospital to investigate a suspicious death. On arrival, officers learned that a hospital patient (male, 27 years) was involved in a physical altercation with the hospital staff. During the attempt to restrain the subject, he suffered an apparent medical emergency. Hospital staff quickly attempted to revive the subject (CPR) and notified PFD. However, the subject never regained consciousness. Pasadena Police detectives responded to investigate the incident. Our investigation is ongoing.

On January 27, at about 1:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) served a search warrant at a residence located in the 1000 N. Raymond Avenue. SES officers developed information the resident was involved in the sales of narcotics. Following the warrant service, one suspect was arrested without incident. SES officers recovered about a half pound of methamphetamine. The suspect, is a known gang member and on active parole. He (the suspect) was booked at the Pasadena jail.