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 December 25, 2012, at about 8:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers were working a special enforcement detail focused on narcotics suppression. Officers conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Darnell Williams (Male Black, 32, known street gang member). As officers were talking with Williams, he suddenly accelerated away and attempted to flee the area. Officers re-entered their police vehicle, activated the emergency equipment, and attempted to catch up with Williams, who was several blocks away.

Williams drove his vehicle at an excessive rate of speed south on Marengo Avenue, approached Maple Street running a red light and colliding a minivan. The impact killed two passengers (9 year-old Male Asian and a Female Asian Adult) who were seated in the van. The violent collision also injured the other occupants in the van. Williams and three other suspects were uninjured and taken into custody without further incident. The case was assigned to Detective William Broghamer, who completed a comprehensive follow-up investigation. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who filed several felony charges, including Voluntary Manslaughter, Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW), and Felon with a firearm (Williams threw a loaded firearm from his vehicle while driving on Marengo Avenue; the pistol was later recovered). On November 12, 2015, after nearly a three-week Superior Court trial, a jury convicted Williams of Voluntary Manslaughter, ADW, and Felon with a Firearm. Based on the conviction, Williams could face as many as a 150 years to life in prison.

There were several Pasadena Police personnel involved in the incident including: Lieutenant T. Ibarra, Sergeants E. Devis, K. Gomez, A. Bzdigian, and C. Pham, Detectives G. Curry (ret.) and K. Okamoto (ret.), Corporal A. Perez, Officers G. Blumenthal, J. Watkins, and J. Cordova, FBI Agent J. Manzie, Pasadena Forensic Specialists C. Fish, the Pasadena Police Traffic Section, Major Traffic Investigation Unit, Officers J. Rappuchi, and Magat, and Pasadena Police Team 4 Uniform Patrol Division.

On October 29, Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of 27 Chestnut Street regarding a damaged property investigation (vandalism). The suspect vandalized the property by breaking out a light fixture and a large window. A witness in the case provided PPD officers with the suspect’s description. The incident was documented on a police report and the case was assigned to Detective J. Riehl. Detective Riehl completed a comprehensive investigation and identified the suspect. Riehl alerted other PPD personnel regarding the outstanding suspect. On November 11, Pasadena Police Officer Bill Shipman was on routine patrol in the 300 block of Colorado Boulevard when he saw the suspect. Shipman arrested the suspect without incident.

On November 10, at about 6:52 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 700 block of Santa Barbara Street regarding a Domestic Violence investigation. On arrival, Pasadena Police Officer Luevano attempted to contact the involved parties. He was confronted by the suspect (Justin Lasher, Male White, 32, Pasadena Res) at the doorway armed with shotgun. Without warning, Lasher “pumped” the shotgun (activated the action, which loads the weapon) and pointed it towards Officer Luevano. Officer Luevano immediately & tactically retreated to safety. The residence was contained and at some point, Officer Mike Gligorijevic began negotiating with the suspect. During the dialog, the suspect’s common-law wife (who was inside the residence at the time of the incident) walked out of the apartment and was moved to a safe location. Subsequently, Officer Gligorijevic convinced Lasher to surrender. Officers searched the location and recovered the shotgun.

This incident is another example of the extraordinary maturity, courage, and decision-making of Officers Luevano, Gligorijevic, and other Pasadena Police first-responders. The suspect was taken into custody without the use of force or shots fired by PPD officers, even though Lasher was armed and confronted Officer Luevano. Officer Luevano’s tactical actions clearly de-escalated and prevented a lethal encounter. Other personnel included: Lieutenants Luna and Clawson, Sergeants Grisafe and Villalovos, Pasadena Air Crew, Officers Arellanes, Lujan, Widger (Canine), and PS Kelly Cliff, Deborah Crooks, & Robin Rae.

On November 11, Pasadena Police Patrol Team 2 officers were provided a “want” flyer from the Detective Section regarding a suspect wanted for PC 245 (Assault With A Deadly Weapon). The suspect (Omar Olvera, Adult Male Hispanic) committed an assault with a deadly weapon on October 10. Pasadena Police Officers Cass and Lujan were on patrol when they saw suspect Olvera at Marengo Avenue and Villa Street. When Olvera saw the officers, he attempted to run away; however, he was quickly arrested without incident.