Alleged Meth Dealer Arrested in Pasadena

Police arrested a suspected methamphetamine dealer with a lengthy criminal history following a brief pursuit in Pasadena on Saturday evening, officials said.

Officers tried to stop a car after noticing erratic driving just before 7 p.m., but the driver refused to pull over and sped away, blowing through several red lights, according to Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Burgess.

The fleeing suspect drove only a very short distance before pulling over at Allen Avenue and Wagner Street, he said.

The man got out of his vehicle and began running toward the pursuing police car, the lieutenant said. He was taken into custody without a struggle.

Inside the car, police discovered methamphetamine packaged in multiple baggies, as well as scale, Burgess said.

Nicholas Atencio Cordova, 53, of Pasadena was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sales, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records.

According to L.A. County Superior Court records, Cordova had a pending criminal case for alleged violation of Post-Release Community Supervision, or felony probation, stemming from a prior conviction at the time of Saturday’s arrest.

Prior convictions include drug possession in 2021; providing false ID to law enforcement in 2020; escape from custody, drug possession and possession of a concealed dagger in 2016; drug possession in 2015; auto theft in 2014, meth possession, burglary and two counts of auto theft in 2005; and domestic battery in 1999.

Cordova was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance, records show.