Woman Attacked in Paseo Colorado Mall Parking Structure Wednesday Morning

A Pasadena man tried to rob and kidnap a woman in the Paseo Colorado mall parking structure Wednesday morning but the victim was able to escape and alert security officers.

Lt. John Luna said the attack occurred shortly before 11 a.m. in the underground structure in the 200 block of East Colorado Boulevard.

The victim, a 35-year-old woman from Pasadena, was getting out of her car when the man approached, Luna said.

“The suspect simulated a weapon in his pants pocket and told the victim she was being robbed and demanded she get back into the car,” Luna said. When the woman offered the suspect her purse, he repeated his demand that she get back in the car.

A passing car distracted the suspect long enough for the victim to bolt and run to the mall’s security office, where officers notified police and provided a general description of the suspect, Luna said.

Patrol officers located a possible suspect nearby and dertained. According to Luna, the victim was not able to positively the man and officers released him.

Later, looking at security video, the officers realized the man they had detained was in fact the man seen committing the crimes in the mall video. Luna said officers located and arrested the suspect, Joshua Brandon McKnight, 19, of Pasadena, about 3:10 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.