Pasadena Man Confronts Car Thief at Gunpoint, Then Struggles With Him

A Pasadena man armed himself, then dashed outside at shortly after 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning when he heard his car alarm blaring in the 800 block of North Catalina Ave. to find a car thief inside his vehicle trying to steal it, police said.

The victim confronted the thief and, according to Pasadena police Lt. John Luna, a physical struggle ensued during which the victim secured the firearm in his pocket.

The gun was never involved in the tussle and was never fired as the suspect fled with the victim in pursuit, Luna said.

A neighbor heard the commotion and summoned police, Luna said, who arrested Pasadena resident Alfonso Vasquez, who is in his twenties.

Vasquez was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the struggle with he car owner, Luna said.