Gang Unit Officers Chase Fleeing Gunman in Residential Area Near Villa-Parke Community Center

A routine traffic stop turned into a neighborhood foot chase of a gun-toting suspect and discovery of methamphetamines near Villa-Parke Community Center Friday night.

Authorities said that about 9:25 p.m. Friday Special Enforcement Section gang unit officers saw a car make an illegal U-turn near the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Parke Street at the north end of Villa-Parke.

When the officers followed the car and attempted to make a traffic stop, the car make a quick turn heading east on Parke Street. Almost instantly, a passenger in the car jumped out and fled. Police said the runner was plainly holding a handgun.

Officers chased the suspect by foot into the neighborhood, the spokesperson said. As he ran, the suspect hurled the gun onto the roof a nearby house.

The pursuing officers caught up with the suspect and arrested him without further incident. When he was searched, police said they found him carrying illegal drugs.

“With the help of our helicopter, we we were able to locate the gun and go up and recover it,” a police spokesperson said.

Arrested was Francisco Flores, 21, a Pasadena resident, for felony possession of a handgun and possession of methamphetamines, police said.

The car and at least one additional suspect got away from the scene and remain at large.