Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Recent Weeks’ 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 May 15, at about 7:55 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department received a call of a distraught subject standing on the outside of the safety fence on the Colorado Street Bridge. Officers arrived quickly and located the subject. Uniformed patrol officers contacted the subject (Male White, 17 years old, Redlands resident) and established a rapport with him. Later, several members of the department’s Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT, which is comprised of sworn and non-sworn personnel) responded to the incident. After about 4 hours of negotiating with the subject, he climbed back over the safety fence and was detained by PPD. The subject was transported to a local hospital where he received a mental health evaluation.

On May 18, I received an email from a community member commend Pasadena Police Service Officer Sarah Presley who spoke about public safety at a homeowners association. The author wrote, “… she was well prepared, took a tour of our complex and answered questions with friendly confidence. I was really impressed with her professionalism…”

Critical Incidents:

On May 11, at about 6:43 p.m., Pasadena Police Officer Magat was on routine patrol in the area of Colorado Boulevard and El Nido Avenue when he observed a subject wanted for felony threats. The Pasadena Police helicopter was immediately over the incident and helped ground units contain the area. The suspect was contact and surrendered without incident. He was subsequently booked at the Pasadena jail.

On May 14, at about 2:10 a.m., Pasadena Police officers were on routine patrol in the area of Fair Oaks Avenue and Green Street when their ALPR equipment alerted to a stolen vehicle. The officers conducted a high-risk stop and arrested the suspects without incident. They were booked at the Pasadena jail.

On May 15, at about 9:56 p.m., two uniformed Pasadena Police officers were on routine patrol in the area of Marengo Avenue and Elizabeth Street when they observed a pedestrian commit a jaywalking violation. The officers contacted the subject and their investigation discovered he was armed with a loaded handgun. The officers also discovered the suspect is a convicted felon. The suspect was arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On May 17, at about 7:19 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Iowa Avenue regarding gang members in the area. Special Enforcement Section (SES) officers responded quickly and observed a suspicious vehicle on Iowa Avenue. After developing sufficient probable cause, the officers initiated an enforcement stop. During the field investigation, the officers found a loaded handgun in the front passenger compartment. The suspect was arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena jail. The handgun was book into the evidence room.

On May 18, at about 6:03 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department received a call from local hospital regarding a gunshot victim in the emergency room. Our preliminary investigation determined the victim (Male Hispanic, 33 years, Los Angeles resident) was transported by a good Samaritan to the hospital from the area of Bradford Street and Arroyo Boulevard. The victim told the officers he was picked up from a bus stop in the vicinity of the Big Lots Store, South Pasadena (Fremont Street and Huntington Drive). He willingly entered the suspect’s vehicle (White Cadillac Escalade) and provided the suspect(s) with directions to a location in El Sereno. As the suspects were driving, they attempted to rob the victim. Somewhere near Bradford Street and Arroyo Boulevard, the victim was shot. He jumped from the suspect’s vehicle and ran to another car to seek assistance. The good Samaritan’s statement led PPD officers to the area of Bradford and Arroyo Boulevard, where they collected evidence of the shooting. At this time, the suspect(s) are outstanding. While the shooting occurred in our jurisdiction, the initial robbery and kidnapping occurred in South Pasadena. Since the crime originated in South Pasadena, they will become the lead agency investigating the incident, including the shooting.

On May 18 at about 6:40 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Mountain Street and Raymond Avenue regarding an assault investigation. On arrival, officers talked with the victim who said he was confronted by Male Hispanics while standing on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Summit Avenue. The suspects drove their car up to the victim and asked if he was affiliated with a street gang. The victim said “no” at which time one of the suspects pointed a handgun at him. The suspects then fled the location in their vehicle. Despite a comprehensive search, PPD officers did not locate the suspects. Our investigation is ongoing.

On May 18, at about 9:48 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Lake Avenue and Washington Boulevard regarding a traffic collision involving a motorists and a pedestrian. The Pasadena Fire Department also responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Officers learned that the victim (Female Black, 48, Pasadena resident) stepped into the traffic lanes without warning or cause. She was struck by a motorists traveling east on Washington Boulevard. The driver immediately pulled to the south curb and waited for the police to arrive. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded as part of our investigation. The police department’s Major Traffic Investigation Team is investigating the incident.