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 October 7, Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Elizabeth Street regarding a domestic dispute.  On arrival, officers encountered John Anthony Gallegos(Pasadena resident), who was in violation of a stay-away order.  Gallegos was arrested and later booked at the Pasadena Police jail for assault.  He posted bail and continued to stalk the victim despite the court’s order to stay away.  On October 12, Pasadena Police Officer A. Torres was on routine patrol and saw Gallegos on Mountain Street.  Officer Torres contacted Gallegos and arrested him without incident.  Gallegos was booked at the Pasadena jail.

On October 9, at 9:12 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Sunset Avenue and Washington Boulevard regarding a shots fired investigation.  On arrival, officers learned that the victims (male Black, 64 years, Pasadena resident; male Black, 53, Pasadena resident; female Black, 74 years, Pasadena resident) were near the front of the residence when a vehicle drove by and fired several shots.  One of the victims received a grazing wound.  The victims did not provide much information to the police officers investigating the incident.  The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.  Our investigation is ongoing.

On October 10, at about 10:21 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to Hill Avenue and Oakdale Street regarding a strong arm robbery.  On arrival, officers learned that the victims were walking south on Hill Avenue, approaching Oakdale Street, when the suspects (two Black males, 20s) pushed the victims to the ground and stole their property.  The suspect then fled the area.  Despite an extensive search, officers were not able find the suspects. Our investigation is ongoing.

On October 11, at 6:56 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1900 block of Wagner Street regarding a kidnapping investigation.  Officers learned that the victim was taken against her will somewhere in the area of Palo Verde Avenue and Wagner Street.  Pasadena Police Corporal A. Perez found the suspect’s vehicle on Maple Street and initiated a felony traffic stop.  The suspect (Cecil Fleming, male Hispanic, adult, Inglewood resident) was detained without incident. During the investigation, the victim later admitted she lied about the kidnapping.  She told officers she was a prostitute and was working for Fleming. Officers discovered Fleming had an outstanding warrant and he was arrested without incident.

On October 12, at 8:41 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Colorado Boulevard and Hill Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon investigation.  On arrival, officers discovered that the suspect (male Black, homeless adult) attacked three victims without provocation or warning.  Officer D. Jones subsequently found the suspect and arrested him without incident.  The suspect was booked at the city jail.

On October 12, at 9:54 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Canada and Lincoln Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon investigation.  On arrival, officers learned that the victims (male Black and female Black adults) walked into the Altadena CHP office reporting that they had been shot at by a suspect (male Black adult) while driving near Canada and Lincoln Boulevard.  The suspect was last seen driving away from the area in a dark colored SUV.  The victims were uninjured.

On October 14, at about 8:03 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 300 block of Catalina Avenue regarding a residential burglary investigation.  On arrival, officers talked with the victim who said she woke up to find a male Black adult (20s, 5’-11,” muscular build, dark complexion, clean shaven, short hair, possible receding hairline, black shirt, pants & shoes, gold necklace with a cross) masturbating as he sat on the edge of her bed.  The victim confronted the suspect, which caused him to flee the residence.  Our investigation is ongoing.  If you have information about this incident, please call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.

On October 14 at about 1:24 p.m., Pasadena Police officers were on routine patrol in the area of Garfield Avenue and Mountain Street when they received an electronic alert indicating a stolen vehicle was nearby.  PPD officers found the vehicle and confirmed it was stolen.  The officers attempted to stop the car, however, the suspect driver failed to yield.  Without warning, one of the suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot (this suspect was later arrested without incident). As the driver suspect drove off; a vehicle pursuit was initiated.  The driver yielded a short time later and the remaining two suspects were arrested without incident.  All three suspects (Jose Ibarra, Hispanic, 19 years, Pasadena resident; Rafael Ibarra, Hispanic, 28 years, Pasadena resident; and a male Hispanic juvenile 17 years, Pasadena resident) were booked at the Pasadena jail or processed at the appropriate juvenile facility.