Suspect, in Jail on Unrelated Charges, Confesses to Pasadena Attack

An inmate who was serving sentence in Los Angeles County Jail for unrelated charges confessed to have committed a separate crime in Pasadena in June.

Charles Simpson was arrested on Friday, October 29 after he confessed to be the suspect in the reported carjacking and attempted robbery in the 400 block of Penn Street last June 5, Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez said.

Sanchez said the police report showed that a male victim was assaulted inside his residence by an unknown male suspect. During the fight, the suspect produced a handgun from his waistband and threatened to kill the victim.

Sanchez said the suspect overpowered the victim, took his car keys and left the location. The victim sustained a laceration to his forehead from the assault.

“Officers responded to the location of the crime and found evidence of a struggle; however, the residents were uncooperative,” Sanchez said.

A joint investigation by Pasadena’s Special Investigative Unit, the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force, and the Los Angeles Police District identified Simpson as the suspect in the Pasadena incident. It was discovered that Simpson was arrested a month after committing the crime in Penn Street following a vehicle pursuit on an unrelated case.

Pasadena Police Detectives A. Russo and R. Stinson contacted Simpson in prison. The suspect provided a full confession on the Penn Street Robbery, Sanchez said.

“Prior to the Pasadena robbery case being filed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office, Simpson was released from custody pursuant to AB109,” Sanchez said. “Simpson was re-located and arrested without incident.”