Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Week’s Critical Incidents

On January 11 at about 4:56 p .m., the Pasadena Police Department received a call from a male trapped on the roof of a vehicle by a Pit Bull who chased after him while he was riding his bicycle across Washington Boulevard. Pasadena Police Corporal Burgess responded and located the victim. The Pit Bull was circling the vehicle. Burgess called for an Animal Control officer who responded and attempted to capture the dog. The Pit Bull, however, was able to break free from the AC officer and charged at Corporal Burgess. Burgess was able to use a less lethal device to stop the Pit Bull’s attack. The dog ran away seemly unharmed. AC officers attempted to identify the dog’s owner and their investigation is ongoing. Fortunately, because of Corporal Burgess’ quick thinking no one was injured in this incident even though the Pit Bull attempted to attack him and the cyclists.

On January 16, at about 10:40 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 100 block of West Del Mar Boulevard regarding a check the welfare call. The Pasadena resident (35 year old Asian female) had not been to work in several days. Her coworkers were concerned and notified PPD. After knocking at the door for several minutes, officers obtained a passkey and entered the location. They found the victim deceased. Pasadena Police detectives were notified and there were no signs of foul play. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded.
During the latter part of 2013, Arcadia Police Department Detectives requested the assistance of the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force (WSGVACTF), our area AB 109 Compliance Team, to assist in the apprehension of a suspected residential burglar. The suspect was also wanted as a Parolee at Large, having not complied with terms of his parole. The suspect eluded the team for several months, but was located in the lobby of a local Rosemead motel during the last week of December. He was subsequently taken into custody. Ironically, on the day of his arrest, Arcadia Detectives received confirmation on a “DNA hit,” positively identifying the suspect in a 2012 Arcadia burglary.

At the time of the arrest, WSGVACTF also detained a second male accompanying the suspect who was also taken into custody for violating terms of his AB 109 release. When searching the suspect’s room, detectives found a semi-automatic handgun stolen in a West Covina residential burglary two weeks prior. Jewelry and other stolen items were also seized along with a small amount of narcotics. The primary suspect, Sergio R. Armendariz, a 36-year-old from La Puente, was booked on the PAL warrant and later charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney with felony residential burglary. Armendariz is now facing a third strike case and his bail is set at $1,095,000.00.

The West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force is based out of the Arcadia Police Department and the primary focus of the team is AB 109 compliance. The team is led by Pasadena Police Sergeant Chris Kirby and has assigned detectives are from Arcadia PD, El Monte PD, Monrovia PD, Monterey Park PD, Pasadena PD, and South Pasadena PD. Other participating agencies include the Alhambra PD, Montebello PD, and San Gabriel PD. Costs associated for the team are offset by contributions from the State for an AB 109 enforcement program approved in the State budget.

On January 17 at about 11:39 p.m., Pasadena Fire and Police responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Carlton Avenue. The property is a single-structure duplex consisting of two separate residences. The front unit was fully involved on arrival. Residents from the rear unit claimed their uncle was inside the burning home.  Pasadena Fire entered the location and discovered a lone male adult (Male Black, 95 years old) deceased.   The victim lived alone in the front duplex and is related to the family living in the rear dwelling.  Family from the rear unit awoke to the odor of smoke and noticed that the front unit was on fire.  They attempted to enter the dwelling, but the smoke and flames were too intense.  The Arson Investigator and the Los Angeles County Coroner were notified.  The entire property is uninhabitable; however, the displaced family members have other relatives in the area where they will stay.