Pasadena Police Capture Wanted Fugitive Armed Pistol Equipped With Laser Sighting System

Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez Sunday gave a detailed accounting of volatile traffic stop conducted last week with an agitated fugitive who turned out to be hiding a pistol equipped with a laser / lighting system in his pants waistband.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Here is Chief Sanchez’s play-by-play of what occurred:

“On March 5, at about 6:08 p.m., Pasadena Police Officers White and Knighton were on routine patrol in a marked police car when they observed a traffic violation near Halsted Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. The officers conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Sanjay Varma (Pasadena resident). During the stop, Varma was sweating profusely and seem agitated. As the officers talked with Varma, he continually reached for his waistband while seated in the car. Each time the officers ordered him to keep his hand in plain view.

“Officers White and Knighton asked Varma to exit from the vehicle several times; however, he (Varma) refused their lawful orders. Officers White and Knighton removed Varma from the vehicle to further their investigation and a brief struggle ensured. Varma was arrested for resisting without further incident. During a subsequent search (pursuant to a lawful arrest) Officers White and Knighton located a loaded S&W 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Varma’s waistband. Officers also recovered approximately 27.4 grams of Methamphetamine in his pocket. Varma was transported to the Pasadena jail and booked for felony charges.

“This is not PPD’s first contact with Suspect Varma. On November 16, 2014, in the early morning hours, Varma was illegally parked in a vehicle (which was later found to be stolen) in the east end of the city. Corporal Montiglio (then officer) and Officer Tavera stopped to investigate. As the officers approached the car, Varma brandished a pistol while attempting to run over the officers with the car. Fearing for their lives, one officer fired his service pistol. Varma was not hit by the officer’s gunfire and fled the location. Officers entered their marked police cars and attempted to pursue Varma; however, they were unable to locate him. Varma was taken into custody several days later by the Fugitive Apprehension Unit following a vehicle pursuit. PPD detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office who filed felony charges against Varma. Varma posted bail for the ADW (against a police officer) for the November 2014 incident. His ADW case was pending when he was contacted by Officers White and Knighton on March 5, 2015.

“Officers White and Knighton are both very experienced officers and currently assigned to the department’s Special Enforcement Section (SES). Varma has shown violent intentions in the past and does not appear concerned about his interactions with law enforcement. Pasadena Police Officers White and Knighton’s officer safety, assertive professional demeanor, and awareness prevented Varma from accessing his pistol, which could have led to an Officer Involved Shooting. I am including a photo of the loaded 9mm pistol and the methamphetamine taken from Varma. You will note the pistol is equipped with a laser/lighting sighting system for use in low-light environments.”