Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Week’s Critical Incidents

On February 24 at about 8:57 p.m., Pasadena Police Department received a report of an elderly male who had fallen in front of the Los Angeles County Courthouse (Walnut Street side).  As a result of the fall, the victim suffered significant head trauma. Nearby good Samaritans administered first aid until the Pasadena Fire Paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.  Pasadena Police Sergeant Grisafe supervised the incident.

On February 25, at about 7:07 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department responded to the 900 block of Topeka regarding a possible gunshot victim.  The victim’s (Male White, 22 years old) sister reported her brother had shot himself because he was despondent over a recent break up with his girlfriend. Pasadena Police officers located the victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.  Officers did not discover any evidence of foul play during their preliminary investigation.  The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office was notified and Pasadena Police Sergeant Alaniz supervised the investigation.

On February 25, at about 10:54 a.m., an anonymous caller phoned a local financial business in the 500 block East Colorado Boulevard, and made a bomb threat.  Pasadena Police officers responded to the location and started a field investigation. The bank was evacuated as a precaution and nearby businesses were notified about the threat. Bomb detection canines (from neighboring jurisdictions) responded to the location and completed a sweep for explosives; none were found.   Our investigation is ongoing.  Pasadena Police Sergeant Jorge supervised the investigation.

On February 26 at about 3:52 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department received a request from the CHP regarding a possible fatality (auto v. pedestrian) on the 210 Freeway near the Arroyo / Windsor Overpass. Pasadena Police officers responded and assisted the CHP officers with traffic control and started a preliminary investigation. Our investigation indicated the victim possibly jumped from the overpass onto the 210 freeway (w/b traffic lanes) where he was struck by at least two vehicles.  The victim, a Male White, approximately 30-40 years old, may have been involved in a disturbance call at the Jack- in-the-Box Restaurant prior to jumping from the overpass.  The Pasadena Police Department investigated the suicide while the CHP handled the traffic collision. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies investigated the disturbance incident at the Jack-in-the-Box.  The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded to take custody of the victim’s body. Pasadena Police Sergeant Alaniz supervised the incident.

From January–February 2014, the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRGTF) was involved in several noteworthy incidents:

On January 16, the PSWRGTF was called by the Fort Wayne Police Department (Indiana) to assist in the apprehension of a murder suspect believed to be hiding somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.  The investigation revealed the suspect was possibly working at a warehouse in Chatsworth.  Following the team’s comprehensive investigation, the suspect was located and arrested without incident.

On February 5, an armed robbery occurred at an East Pasadena Motel. The victim, who knew the suspect casually, provided valuable information about the suspect.   Pasadena Police Corporal Llanes spearheaded the inquiry and conducted a comprehensive investigation. The US Secret Services assisted with investigation and on February 11, the taskforce responded to the city of San Gabriel. The suspect was located and was subsequently arrested without incident.  Pasadena Police detectives responded with a search warrant for the suspect’s apartment where several items from the original crime (robbery) were recovered.

On February 15, the taskforce assisted the Pomona Police Department in a citywide gang enforcement operation involving compliance checks on Probation, Parole, and AB109 supervised individuals.  During this operation, the team assisted in the arrest of twenty-four gang members and the recovery of three firearms and narcotics.

On February 18, Glendale Police detectives requested the taskforce’s assistance with the apprehension of a Pasadena gang member wanted for the kidnap, assault with a deadly weapon, and terrorist threats. Taskforce detectives located the suspect.  He was later arrested in Glendale without incident.