Pasadena Police Chief Recaps 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 November 20, at about 8:10 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 900 block of Maple Street regarding an attempted murder investigation. The suspect (Aquilino Alvarado-Miranda, male Hispanic, 51 years) stabbed his wife several times during a domestic dispute and fled the location prior to the arrival of the police. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for her injures. Officers continued their investigation and a wanted flyer was distributed to other Pasadena Police officers. Later in the afternoon at approximately 1:20 pm., Miranda was located by police officers assigned to Team 1 (uniform patrol division). Miranda was arrested without incident after he complied with the officer’s orders to surrender. Great follow-up and arrest!

On November 20, at about 6:15 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated a call of shots fired near Glen Avenue and Pepper Street. Officers talked to the witness who provided limited information. PPD officers, however, were able to secure some information about the suspect vehicle, which was described only as a light colored SUV. About two hours later, PPD officers responded to another call of shots in the 1300 block of Glen Avenue. Officers located round strikes on a residence and a vehicle. Victims and witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a light colored SUV. Nothing further was provided. Fortunately, no one was hit by gun fire in either shooting. Our investigation is ongoing.

On November 21, at about 11:03 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Del Mar Boulevard and Raymond Avenue regarding a Hit & Run Collision. On arrival, PPD officers learned that the suspect broadsided another vehicle in the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and Raymond Avenue. Witnesses followed the suspect vehicle into South Pasadena where SPPD officers attempted a traffic stop near Orange Grove Boulevard and Columbia Street. The suspect failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit was initiated, which involved SPPD, Pasadena Police officers, and the Pasadena Police Air Crew. The suspect driver (female Hispanic, 39, Imperial Beach resident) was subsequently arrested without further incident after complying with officer’s orders to surrender. The police helicopter was invaluable in the effort to locate, track, and arrest the suspect.

On November 21 at about 11:20 a.m., Pasadena Police Officers Zilbert and Velasquez received a call regarding a male Hispanic pushing a female Hispanic while standing near the bus bench at Howard Street and Lincoln Avenue. On arrival, the officers saw a person matching the description of the male provided by the caller. PPD Officers detained the male Hispanic and during the subsequent investigation, they found a loaded firearm tucked into the front of his waistband. Officers removed the firearm and arrested the suspect without incident. The suspect was also in possession of material suggesting he was involved in other criminal activity (possession of instruments of identity theft). The suspect was booked at the Pasadena jail.

On November 22, at 3:01 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated a strong-arm robbery in the 1700 block of East Colorado Boulevard. The suspect (Robert Sanchez, homeless male Hispanic) entered a commercial business and began acting suspiciously. The clerk asked Sanchez to leave the location. As Sanchez exited the store, he stole a camera. Sanchez took a fighting stance when the store clerk confronted him about the theft. Fearing for his safety, the clerk retreated. About an hour later, Pasadena Police Officer Austin detained Sanchez in the area of Colorado Boulevard and Meredith Avenue. Following a positive field show up, Sanchez was arrested without incident.

On November 22, at about 4:21 p.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated an ADW (Assault with a Deadly Weapon) in the 200 block of South Raymond Avenue. Officers learned that, without provocation, the suspect (Divens Lewis, 52, homeless male Black)yelled at the victim’s children who were seated in a vehicle. A short time later, Lewis confronted the victim, (who was riding a bicycle) and challenged her to a fight. Lewis brandished a knife and lunged toward the victim. The victim alerted the police department and moments later, Lewis was seen by the Pasadena Police Helicopter crew. The Air Crew coordinated and directed the ground units to the suspect’s location where he was arrested without incident after complying with the officer’s orders to surrender. The weapon was recovered and the suspect was booked at the Pasadena jail.