Two Armed Men Attempt to Kidnap Women in Old Pasadena By Identifying Themselves as Police

Police arrested two armed men early Thursday morning who were ordering women into their truck, one of them saying he was a “a police officer.”

“Fortunately, the victims refused and notified the police,” Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez said in a prelimiary email describing the incident.

Sanchez said that Pasadena Police officers arrived within 60 seconds and saw the suspects’ vehicle parked on Arroyo Parkway, south of Green Street.

Pasadena Police Lieutenant John Luna and Sergeant Ernie Devis approached the suspects, Sanchez said, and found a loaded assault rifle right next to the passenger.

The suspects were taken into custody without incident.

Sanchez said a preliminary investigation indicates both men have prior criminal records.  Marco Alvarez, of Fontana, and John Mandy, of Whittier, were booked on felony charges at the Pasadena Jail, he said.

“This case is another outstanding arrest and it underscores just how unpredictable police interactions can be. The assault rifle (.223/5.556 cal.) has tremendous lethal power and has become the popular among predators,” Sanchez noted.