Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Last Week’s Critical Incidents

 

Editor’s Note: In this report, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez reviews noteworthy incidents which occurred or were concluded in recent weeks in Pasadena.

On March 28, at about 9:47 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 2100 block of East Foothill Boulevard regarding a report of a Male Hispanic Adult blocking the driveway and threatening to shoot people. On arrival, officers located the suspect, who was acting erratic & bizarre. The suspect was armed with a metal cylindrical object and deliberately struck a nearby police vehicle. PPD officers verbally ordered the suspect to surrender; however, he refused to comply. As the suspect approached the officers (still armed with the metal pipe), they used a less-lethal device to contain him, however, the device had minimal affect. Knowing the less lethal device had no significant impact on the suspect, the officers maintained a safe distance while evaluating their options to contain the violent suspect. The suspect continued to advance on the officers and subsequently commandeered a marked police vehicle. PPD officers chased the suspect for approximately 12 minutes. As he approached the intersection of Lake Avenue and Claremont Street, the officers used a PIT maneuver to contain him. The suspect immediately exited the police car and began threating the officers. The officers deployed a Taser Device (Conducted Electric Weapon), which temporarily incapacitated the suspect and he was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was then transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. The investigation is ongoing.

On March 30, at about 6:51 a.m., Pasadena Police and Fire personnel responded to Lake Avenue and Villa Street regarding an injury collision. The preliminary investigation revealed that a light blue 2006 Kia Sorrento collided with a maroon 2003 Ford Mustang in the intersection. As a result of the collision, the Mustang impacted a metal light pole on the southwest corner. The driver and sole occupant of the Kia (Female Hispanic, 46, Los Angeles resident) sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Mustang (Male Hispanic, 23, Pasadena resident) sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he later died. The front passenger (Male Hispanic, 17, Pasadena resident) died on impact. Two additional passengers in the Mustang (Male Hispanics, 22 and 27, both Pasadena residents) sustained moderate injuries and were taken to a local hospital in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.

On March 31, at about 6:07 p.m., Pasadena Special Enforcement Section (SES) officers conducted a probation search in the 2000 block of North Raymond Avenue. During the search, SES officers located a SKS (7.62mm) assault rifle. The rifle was equipped with a full high-capacity magazine. The suspect, a known local street gang member, was arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena jail. This case is another example of the daily proactive police work conducted by the Pasadena Police Department. The efforts of the SES officers removed another dangerous firearm from our community.

On April 2, at about 1:51 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Villa Parke regarding calls of shots fired. On arrival officers talked with several witnesses who provided conflicting statements. Some of the witnesses said a vehicle drove by and shot at a group of individuals sitting along the east curb, Garfield Avenue, south of the soccer field. Others stated the suspect(s) fired into the air. Nevertheless, PPD offices recovered expended shell casings at the scene. There was a youth soccer game in progress at the time of the incident. Fortunately, PPD officers did not locate any victims and it does not appear anyone associated with the game was the intended target. PPD will maintain a strong uniform presence in the park for the remainder of the afternoon. Our investigation is ongoing.