Pasadena PD Handles More Than 8,900 Calls in July

The Pasadena Police Department responded to more than 8,900 calls for service in July, with 5,700 of them placed via 911, officials said.

Officers seized 18 guns, including two assault rifles, over the course of the month, according to the department’s July community briefing:

Total Calls for Service for July 2020: 8,924 (YTD: 65,930)

911 Calls for July 2020: 5,734 (YTD: 41,723)

July 2020 Collected / Seized Firearms:

Pistols – 13 (YTD: 134)

Rifles /Assault Rifles – 2 (YTD: 51)

Shotguns – 3 (YTD: 12)

July 3, 2020, 3:29 a.m.: Officers responded to a fire call in the 800 block of N. El Molino Ave. Pasadena Fire Department extinguished the fire that burned an unoccupied garage structure. Arson investigators believed the cause was likely a result of a smoldering firework that landed on the roof of the structure. Officers canvassed the area and located nearby fireworks debris. Officers began interviewing witnesses and were able to identify the two suspects who were cited and released. No one was injured or permanently displaced as a result of the fire and no occupied structures were damaged.

July 3, 2020, 9:53 p.m.: Officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle violation in the area of Fair Oaks Avenue and Tremont Street. The Officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a search of the vehicle revealed a handgun and marijuana. The driver was cited for the vehicle violation and possession of marijuana. A passenger admitted to possessing the firearm.

July 4, 2020, 1:56 a.m.: Officers responded to a local hospital regarding an assault on one of the facility’s security officers. The suspect, who had recently been released from the facility after being treated for a psychotic episode, refused to leave and tried to regain entry through the emergency room. A security officer attempted to prevent the suspect’s re-entry and used pepper spray on the suspect as he rushed the officer. The suspect tackled the officer and while on the ground, began to strangle the security officer. Additional security officers came to the aid of the victim and the suspect was detained by the hospital’s security staff until Pasadena police officers arrived. The security guard sustained moderate injuries during the struggle, which required medical treatment.

July 5, 2020, 8:14 p.m.: Officers responded to a fight in progress in the area of Holly Street and Marengo Avenue. Officers learned one of the involved individuals had sexually assaulted a victim and the victim’s boyfriend initiated the physical altercation with the suspect. When the Police Officers arrived, they attempted to detain the suspect who failed to cooperate and bit one of the officers. The suspect was eventually detained with only minimal force being used. One other officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the altercation with the suspect.

July 7, 2020, 10:09 p.m.: The Pasadena Police Department received a call regarding a vehicle that had run multiple red lights in the area of Hill Avenue and the 210 Freeway. Officers located the vehicle and engaged in a slow-speed pursuit after the driver failed to stop. The driver swerved in and out of traffic and appeared as if he was under the influence. The vehicle stopped on the westbound 210 Freeway near Lincoln Avenue and a traffic risk stop was initiated. The suspect exited the vehicle when ordered but attempted to re-enter the car. The suspect was detained before re-entering the vehicle. He was, in fact, determined to be intoxicated.

July 9, 2020, 9:47 p.m.: Officers responded to a call of a possible kidnapping in the 3600 block of East Foothill Boulevard. The reporting party described a female being forced into a vehicle by the suspect. Officers arrived and were able to ascertain the victim’s identity and address. Officers responded to the victim’s residence and saw the suspect vehicle leaving the location as they arrived. A traffic stop was conducted and the suspect was detained. The female victim was in the vehicle and was unharmed. The kidnapping was determined to be unfounded but officers did locate evidence of identity theft and narcotics sales in the possession of the suspect.

July 11, 2020, 2:14 a.m.: Officers responded to a disturbance call at a motel in the 3300 block of East Colorado Boulevard. While at the scene, Officers were alerted to an unrelated suspicious vehicle that returned stolen out of Los Angeles. Officers impounded the vehicle and recovered a firearm and ammunition from inside. After several hours of investigation, officers were able to identify two suspects associated with the stolen vehicle. Both suspects were arrested and a search warrant was obtained to search the motel room where the suspects were staying. The search resulted in the recovery of additional contraband.

July 14, 2020, 1:32 p.m.: Pasadena Police Department received a call about an assault in the 900 block of Summit Avenue. Two victims were involved in a physical fight with two suspects who were demanding the victims’ phones. During the fight, one of the suspects threatened to shoot both victims, at which time the suspects fled with the victims’ property. The suspects were located by officers a short time later. One suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and the victims’ property was located in the suspects’ vehicle.

July 16, 2020, 8:57 p.m.: Security employees of a restaurant located in the 300 block of East Colorado Boulevard, contacted a subject who was banging on the restaurant’s door and appeared to be upset. While contacting the subject, he retrieved a knife from his backpack and lunged at one of the security officers. The knife struck the restaurant’s security employee. The assault suspect then punched one of the other security members. The security officers were able to take the suspect to the ground, handcuff him and detain him until officers arrived. The security officers’ injuries were non-life threatening and the suspect was arrested.

July 17, 2020, 2:39 a.m.: Officers were called to the 800 block of Sunset Avenue regarding a suspicious person who had activated the victim’s security cameras. Evidence suggested someone had entered the residence without the owner’s permission and ransacked the home. Officers viewed the surveillance video and after obtaining a clear description of the suspect, he was located nearby and arrested. The suspect was also believed to be responsible for multiple vehicle burglaries in the same area.

July 18, 2020, 9:27 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Mar Vista Avenue regarding a disturbance between family members. The older family member was reportedly threatening her son and the son’s girlfriend with a knife. Fearing for their safety, the victims had locked the suspect outside. Arriving officers found the suspect attempting to re-enter the apartment through a window. Officers engaged the suspect in dialogue and were able to de-escalate the potentially violent situation without the use of any force. The suspect was arrested for making criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon.

July 19, 2020, 11:19 p.m.: Officers responded to a call of a disturbance at a motel in the 2800 block of East Colorado Boulevard. The two individuals involved in the disturbance were in a dating relationship and the suspect had struck the victim several times before grabbing hold of her and carrying her to a nearby vehicle. He attempted to force the victim into the vehicle against her will, but the victim was able to free herself while sustaining only minor injuries. Officers arrived while all parties were still at the location and the suspect was arrested.

July 20, 2020, 8:04 p.m.: The Pasadena Police Department received reports of shots fired in the 1000 block of Fair Oaks Ave. Officers responded to the location and located evidence of a shooting as well as a discarded handgun. No victims or suspects were located. The investigation is ongoing.

July 21, 2020, 4:10 p.m.: Officers responded to a business located in the 3300 block of East Colorado Boulevard regarding a theft/possible armed robbery. The store employee reported the suspect had entered the store and selected items and proceeded to leave the store without making any attempt to pay. When confronted, he brandished a small pocket knife and threatened the manager. The suspect fled the location on foot with the loss. The victim was not injured. The suspect is still outstanding.

July 23, 2020, 1:33 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to a motel in the area of Colorado Boulevard and Madre Street in regards to a man who was reportedly armed with a gun. Officers located the suspect in a vehicle, as he was exiting the motel parking lot. A traffic stop was conducted of the suspect’s vehicle and an investigation did not reveal any evidence of a firearm. The subject was, however, in possession of multiple ounces of narcotics. Further investigation led to the recovery of additional narcotics in the motel room where the suspect and his girlfriend were staying. Both suspects were arrested and booked at the Pasadena Jail.

July 24, 2020, 1:57 a.m.: A resident called regarding a subject who was tampering with the resident’s front door in the 1000 block of Hastings Ranch Drive. Officers arrived and found the suspect at the front door, pulling on the door and trying to get into the home. Officers gave orders in an attempt to stop the suspect, however he did not comply and continued to force his way into the home. The suspect eventually turned his attention towards the officers and charged at them. After a short scuffle, the officers were able to take the suspect into custody while sustaining only minor injuries.

July 25, 2020, 11:13 a.m.: An officer saw a subject who he knew from prior contacts and arrests, loitering in the area of Allen Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The officer was aware the subject was on active probation and as the officer approached the subject to make contact, the suspect made a furtive movement. The officer immediately attempted to control the subject’s hand to prevent him from retrieving either a weapon or concealing evidence. However, the suspect broke free from the officer’s grasp and ran. The officer caught the suspect and detained him and it was discovered the suspect had a loaded firearm and narcotics in his possession. The suspect was arrested and booked at the Pasadena Jail.

July 29, 2020, 1:58 p.m.: Officers responded to the 100 block of East Washington Boulevard to assist the Pasadena Fire Department with a residential fire at an apartment complex. A small child who lived at the primary residence died as a result of the fire and two other family members sustained life-threatening injuries. The fire was initially determined to be accidental and caused by an electrical issue. Multiple neighbors were displaced and the American Red Cross responded to assist with temporary housing for those families who needed it. Pasadena Police officers and Pasadena police volunteers assisted with traffic control and perimeter security throughout the duration of the fire investigation.

July 31, 2020, 9:10 p.m.: Officers responded to a city park in the 1300 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue regarding a report of several males chasing another male. When Officers arrived at the location, they were unable to locate a victim. Several minutes later, the Pasadena Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a victim of an assault who was at the 500 block of North Marengo Ave. Officers contacted the victim who would only provide minimal information. The victim refused to identify himself or provide information about his assailants.