Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Recent 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.

Critical Incidents:

On November 11, at about 7:40 a.m., a 17 year-old female (victim) as standing at a bus stop near Orange Grove Boulevard and Summit Avenue.  Standing next to her was a male Hispanic, 20s, 5-5,” wearing a dark blue LA Dodgers cap, black T-shirt, baggy blue jeans, and carrying a blue backpack.  The female became uncomfortable when the male (suspect) began gawking and annoying her.  She walked to another bus stop at Marengo Avenue and Villa Street, where she boarded a bus.  Unbeknown to the female, the suspect also boarded the bus and continued to annoying her.  The victim exited the bus and subsequently told her high school staff members about the incident.  The Pasadena Police Department was contacted and officers documented the incident on a crime report.

The case was assigned to Pasadena Police Detective Locklin, who conducted a comprehensive investigation leading to the suspect’s identity.   Detective Locklin shared the suspect information with officers assigned to the Field Operations Division. On December 1, Pasadena Police Officer Glockson was on routine patrol near Garfield Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard and saw a person matching the description of the wanted child-annoying suspect.  Officer Glockson contacted the subject and confirmed he was the same person identified by Detective Locklin.  The suspect, Antonio Salazar, was arrested without incident after complying with Officer Glockson’ s verbal orders.  Salazar later admitted he contacted the victim but did not know she was underage.  Salazar was booked at the Pasadena jail.

On November 26, at about 12:06 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 600 block of Palisade Street regarding a call of shots fired.  On arrival, officers located and recovered evidence of the shooting; however, PPD officers could not locate any witnesses or victims associated with the incident.

On November 28, at about 7:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated an assault with a deadly weapon incident in the 400 block of Castano Avenue.  On arrival, officers learned that the suspect (Hispanic Male, 6-0, medium build, dark clothing) illegally entered into a rear studio and assaulted the victim (Hispanic Female, 21 years, Pasadena resident) with a firearm.  Our investigation is ongoing.

On November 28, at about 2:07 a.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated a fraud at a business located in the 100 block of South Los Robles Avenue.  On arrival, officers learned that the suspects (Asian Male, 29, Los Angeles resident; Asian Male, 31, Fresno resident; Asian Female, 36, Pomona resident) fraudulently used a credit card at a local hotel.  After receiving the suspect’s descriptions, officers started checking the area.  Subsequently, all three suspects were located and arrested without incident after they complied with orders from PPD officers.  The suspects were later booked at the Pasadena jail.

On November 30 at about 11:40 a.m., Pasadena Police officers and Fire Paramedics responded to the Pasadena High School Football field regarding a student who attempted suicide.  Two good Samaritans saw the student in distress and rendered aid.  The Samaritans performed CPR on the victim until the fire department arrived and he (the victim) was later transported to a local hospital.  PUSD officials immediately mobilized counselors to speak with students and followed other emergency notification protocols.

On November 30, at about 4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated an armed robbery in the 3500 block of Foothill Boulevard. On arrival, officers learned that an employee was preparing the cash deposit (from the business) when she was approached by the suspect (male, 5-10, 200 pounds, dark clothing) who brandished a firearm and demanded the money. Fearing for her safety, the victim surrendered the currency. The suspect fled the area.  Our investigation is ongoing.

On November 30, at about 6:56 p.m., the Pasadena Police helicopter was on routine patrol when the flight crew was hit with a laser beam in the area of Oak Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard.  The Air Crew directed ground units to the 100 block of South Oak Avenue, where they identified the suspect, Brian Candido, 20, Pasadena resident).  Candido complied with the officer’s orders to surrender and he was arrested without incident.

On December 1, Pasadena Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) served a legally authorized search warrant on a residence located in the 100 block of N. Sierra Bonita Avenue. SES officers learned the residents were involved in narcotics activity.  Following the warrant service SES officers arrested Carlos Dias (known gang member) and Christine Marco without incident.  During the search, officers recovered two firearms, ammunition, and drug (sales) paraphernalia.

On December 2, at about 2:03 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1000 block of Palm regarding an overdose victim. On arrival officers learned family members visited the victim’s residence and found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor.  Fire Department paramedics confirmed the victim death. There were no signs of foul play at the residence and subsequently, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded and took custody of the victim’s body.

On December 2, at about 11:04 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1100 block of Summit Avenue regarding a call of shots fired.  Officers conducted an extensive search of the area, however, they did not locate any victims or evidence of a shooting.  Local area hospitals were notified about the incident.  Our investigation is ongoing.

On December 3, at about 10:10 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 2600 block of East Colorado Blvd regarding a call of shots fired inside a restaurant.  On arrival officers learned the subject (Deandre Stringfellow, 32, Pasadena resident) was inside the restaurant and armed with a pistol.  Stringfellow began handling the weapon and subsequently shot himself in the hand.  The projectile also grazed a server standing nearby Stringfellow.  Officers followed a blood trail from the restaurant to the parking lot and notified field units of the circumstances.  A short time later Stringfellow was located driving his car near Fair Oaks Avenue and Bellefontaine Street. He was transported to a local area hospital and was admitted for surgery.  Officers located a firearm in Stringfellow’s car and also determined he (Stringfellow) is a convicted felon. The incident will be presented to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for criminal filing consideration.