Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Recent 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 June 24, at about 2:42 p.m., several male adult suspects illegally entered a residential property located in the 400 block of South Madison Avenue. The suspects made their way into the secured garage and used a pry tool to break open several parked vehicles. This case was part of a series of auto-burglaries committed in private parking garages along the Del Mar / California corridors. The case was assigned to Pasadena Police Detective Burchett, who conducted a comprehensive investigation which subsequently identified the suspects (James Smith, male Black adult, and Michael Castillo, male Hispanic adult). On August 18, both suspects were arrested without incident. PPD detectives recovered over 200 items of stolen property at the suspects’ Altadena residence. Great work by all involved.

On July 19, Pasadena Police officers investigated an allegation of criminal threats. Field officers discovered that the suspect (William Fournier, transient male White adult), was involved in an argument with the victim. Fournier armed himself with a kitchen knife and walked toward the victim. Fournier wielded the knife and stated “I’m going to kill you.” A witness was able to disarm Fournier, who left the area prior to arrival of the police. The case was assigned to Detective J. Ling, who subsequently secured and arrest warrant following a comprehensive investigation. On August 6, Pasadena Police Officer Allen and other Team 1 First Responders saw Founier and arrested him without incident.

On August 7, at about 5:15 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1600 block of North Garfield Avenue regarding a call of shots fired. On arrival, officers located evidence suggesting a firearm was discharged. Fortunately, no one was injured by the gunfire and officers did not receive any suspect information.

On August 8, at about 11:27 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a domestic violence investigation in the 100 block of West Del Mar Boulevard. On arrival, officers learned that the victim and suspect were family members and became involved in a physical altercation. During the fight, the suspect strangled and scratched the victim. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated and initially resisted the officers. He was subsequently arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena Jail.

On August 12, at 7:47 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies from the Temple City Station pursued a stolen vehicle into the unincorporated area of Pasadena. The suspect driver lost control of the car and crashed near Sierra Madre Boulevard and Oneida Street. At least 2 suspects fled on foot. Another suspect was immediately arrested at the crash site by LA County deputies. Deputies established a command post, requested air support, and Pasadena Police officers responded to assist with the incident; however, a short time later, the deputies advised the Pasadena Police officers their assistance was no longer necessary. PPD officers resumed normal patrol duties.

On August 12, at about 9:55 a.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated a residential burglary in the 1100 block of Garfield Avenue. PPD officers learned that the victim was standing in her kitchen when she heard the suspect tampering with the lock on her front door. The victim yelled at the suspect, causing him to run away. The victim called 9-1-1 and provided a description of the suspect to the police dispatcher, which was passed along to the ground units. Moments later, the Pasadena Police Air Operations helicopter located the suspect and directed officers to his location. He was arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena Jail.

On August 14, at 3:55 a.m., Pasadena Police officers investigated a carjacking incident in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue. The victim was sleeping in his car when he was confronted by the suspect (male Black, juvenile), who demanded the victim’s vehicle. Fearing for his safety, the victim surrendered his car and called the police. Responding officers located the vehicle a short distance away. The suspect was arrested without incident and subsequently transported to juvenile hall. The vehicle was returned to the victim.

On August 15, at about 1:23 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1000 block of North Lake Avenue regarding a domestic violence investigation. On arrival, officers learned that the victim and suspect knew each other. During the investigation, officers determined that the male subject had an outstanding no-bail warrant for burglary. When the officers attempted to contact the male subject, he fled on foot. While evading the officers, the male subject yelled that he was armed with a gun and wanted the police to kill him. The subject reached into his waistband area several times, presumably in an effort to lead officers to believe he was armed. The suspect eventually attempted to shield himself behind a 17 year-old juvenile; however, the pursuing officers were able to subdue the suspect with the use of a less lethal device. The suspect was arrested for the outstanding warrant as well as child endangerment (he was found to be unarmed). The officers involved included: Sergeant Van Heck, Officers Zilbert, Austin, Arbuckle, Allan, Lee, Winkler, Arellanes, and Krikorian. The suspect in this case clearly attempted to instigate a lethal encounter with PPD officers; however, they were able to utilize sound tactics during an rapidly evolving environment, which allowed for the use of a less lethal device without compromising officer safety. Outcomes like the one described in this incident are always desirable; however, they are not always possible. Pasadena Police officers continue to use force prudently and always attempt to deescalate dangerous / violent encounters without themselves or the public.

On August 15, at 3:03 a.m., Pasadena Police officers drove to the 200 block of Arroyo Parkway regarding a theft. On arrival, officers talked with the victim who provided a description of the suspect. The suspect was located a short time later, and when officers attempted to detain him, he (the suspect) resisted. The suspect was eventually arrested without further incident and later booked at the Pasadena Jail.

On August 15, at 7:32 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Marianna Road regarding a residential burglary. On arrival, officers talked with the neighbor witness who said he heard glass breaking and looked outside toward the victim’s residence. The witness saw a suspect enter a south side bedroom and subsequently called 9-1-1. The initial suspect was assisted by three other male suspects. Moments later, all four suspects exited the victim’s home and left the area. PPD officers and the Air Ops Flight Crew were not able to locate the suspects.

On August 17, at 9:44 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1100 block of Arden Road regarding a burglary investigation. On arrival, officers learned that the victim was inside her home when she confronted a male adult who had apparently entered her residence without permission. When challenged by the victim, the suspect immediately fled the location. Despite a comprehensive search, the suspect was not located. Our subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect entered the victim’s home through an unlocked sliding patio door.

On August 18, at about 3:00 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Division hosted a press conference announcing the arrest of a suspect wanted from their jurisdiction on 9 separate felony counts ranging from residential burglary to attempted rape. The crimes were committed in July and early August 2016, and had segments of Los Angeles on edge. The suspect was dubbed the “Virgin Mary Bandit” by LAPD as a result of his t-shirt (depicting a photo of the Virgin Mary) worn during the commission of the burglaries. Some of you may have seen a recent press conference this past Tuesday (8/16) from LAPD asking for the public’s assistance with the identification of the suspect. On August 6, at about 3:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1800 block of East Mountain Street regarding a suspicious person investigation. The subject was knocking on doors/looking into windows in the neighborhood. On arrival, PPD officers saw the suspect; however, he immediately fled. The suspect was later located in the same block with a broken leg, apparently suffered when he was evading the PPD officers. The suspect was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and was found to have an outstanding felony warrant out of New York (Parolee at Large and residential burglary). The suspect was issued a citation by our agency for resisting/evading, trespassing, and relinquished to the custody of U.S. Marshall’s Office. At the time of this incident, LAPD detectives had not yet identified the “Virgin Mary Bandit.” As a result of LAPD’s press conference on August 16, their detectives received a tip that the Virgin Mary Bandit could be Russell William Harris, male Black, 34 years (Santa Clarita resident). LAPD detectives subsequently discovered Harris had been in custody in the Los Angeles County Jail awaiting extradition to New York. While our officers did not assist in the investigation of the Virgin Mary Bandit crime spree, they were tenacious enough to investigate the initial suspicious person call on East Mountain Street, which ultimately assisted in the arrest of Harris. Great work by the LAPD, US Marshalls, and PPD

On August 19, at 6:03 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 100 block of Painter Street regarding a shots fired investigation. On arrival, officers talked with nearby residents who said a group of people were in the parking lot area when a black vehicle drove near them and fired several shots. Despite the officer’s attempts to locate the shooting victims, no one came forward during the investigation. PPD officers recovered some evidence at the scene indicating a shooting had occurred.