2 Pasadena Senior Citizens Robbed in Front of Homes in Separate Crimes; 1 Pistol-Whipped

Police are investigating two separate robberies of senior citizens that took place in front of their homes in Pasadena on Tuesday night, including one in which the victim was pistol-whipped, authorities said.

The first robbery unfolded about 10 p.m. in the 1800 block of Navarro Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Sean Dawkins said.

A 67-year-old man had exited his home to move his car from the street to his driveway, according to the lieutenant.

The robber approached the victim from the driver-side of the car, pulled a handgun and demanded the victim’s wallet, he said.

“The victim initially refused,” Dawkins said. “The suspect struck the victim on the top of the head with the pistol.”

Police said the robber then reached into the man’s pocket and took his wallet before fleeing south on Navarro Avenue in a black 1990s Nissan or Toyota.

The robber was described as a Black man about 25 years old, 6 feet tall, of thin build, wearing a short-sleeve shirt and carrying a black handgun, Dawkins said.

The victim suffered an inch-long cut to the top of his head but did not appear seriously injured, Dawkins said.

A second robbery was reported six minutes later in the 600 block of Cypress Avenue, just under two miles to the south, police said.

A woman in her 60s has just arrived home and was unlocking her front door when two men approached, according to Dawkins.

One of the robbers pointed a handgun at the woman while the other demanded her car keys, he said. The woman complied.

One of the robbers then drove off in the woman’s Toyota Camry, while the other was last seen fleeing on foot.

The woman was not hurt during the crime, Dawkins said.

Authorities described both robbers as Black men in their 20s, between 160 and 170 pounds.

One wore a gray, zip-up hooded sweatshirt, a white face mask, basketball shorts, white socks, black-and-white tennis shoes, and carried a black semi-automatic handgun. The other wore a sweater, black shorts and possibly also had a gun.

Investigators were aware of the similarities between the crimes and were looking into a possible connection, but no concrete link had been established, the lieutenant added.

Video footage from a Ring doorbell camera posted online purportedly depicts the crime.

Anyone with information can reach the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.