Pasadena Police Chief Recaps The Week’s Critical Incidents

From February 1 – 7, the Pasadena Police Department’s Violence Reduction Task Force engaged in preventive patrols; covert surveillances and in-home visits in problematic area within Districts 1, 3 & 5 to reduce ganga activity and mitigate violence. During this period, the Task Force officers completed 58 Foot Patrols; 61 Field Contacts; 68 Traffic Enforcement Stops; 14 Probation / Parole Compliance Checks and arrested five suspects for a variety of offensives. Four of the arrestees are confirmed gang members. Of particular note, PPD Task Force officers and uniformed Patrol officers seized four guns during the week. Task Force Foot Beat officers continue to patrol the parks in Districts 1, 3, & 5. The department’s mobile command post was used to support the foot patrols and create a substantial presence in our parks. Our outreach programs and in-house visits of at risk youth and their parent(s) is critical in the effort to reduce gang recruitment and/or membership. The police department’s Crime Analysis Unit continues to provide timely information for the Task Force, Uniformed Officers and others involved in the effort to reduce violence in our community. The Pasadena Police Department will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the Task Force weekly. The Task Force efforts to reduce gang violence is independent of other police services provided throughout the city.

On January 31, at about 6:30 p.m. Pasadena Uniformed Patrol officers arrested a subject without incident who had discarded a replica semi-automatic handgun in a dumpster in the area of Mountain Street and Wright Avenue.

On February 2, at about 12:06 p.m., Pasadena Police Sergeant Beene and Officer Salazar responded to a call of a theft in the 2800 block of East Colorado Boulevard. Loss prevention agents provided a description of the suspects and their vehicle. On arrival, officers observed the suspects and conducted an enforcement stop. During their investigation, PPD officers recovered a loaded handgun in the suspect’s car. The suspects were arrested without incident. One of the suspects was previously convicted of possession of a firearm.

On February 4, at about 1:29 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Hammond Street and Summit Avenue regarding calls of shots fired. The first officers arrived on scene in about 58 seconds and began looking for the suspect(s). PPD officers Locklin and Baffigo were near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Villa Street when they observed a vehicle commit a CVC violation. The officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Maple Street and Wilson Avenue. Officers talked with the occupants (one suspect was an admitted gang member, all juveniles) and retraced the path of the vehicle. They located a loaded handgun on the roadway in the 400 block of North Mar Vista Avenue and were able to determine the gun had been fired. The suspects were arrested without incident. During the investigation, one of the suspects admitted to firing the handgun and discarding it when he saw the police vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured during this incident. The case underscores the exceptional police work conducted by Officers Locklin and Baffigo! Sergeant Roldan supervised the incident and Forensic Tech Roon was also involved in the investigation.

On February 4, at about 4:15 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded the 70 block of Pepper Street regarding a group of males gambling. Corporal Broghamer, Officer Magat and Officer Qian were assigned the call. As the officers approached the group, the suspect (Khy Charles, Male Black, 18 years, Pasadena Resident on active probation for possession of a handgun) ran west on Pepper Street and into a nearby neighborhood. PPD officers chased Charles on foot and Officer Qian detained him near 89 West Claremont Street without further incident. Officers retraced Charles’ steps and located a loaded handgun. Charles is a known gang member and was convicted in July 2104, for carrying a loaded firearm in public. He was arrested and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On February 4, at about 9:51 p.m., Pasadena Police Officer Covarrubias was on uniformed patrol in the area of Pasadena Avenue and California Boulevard. He observed a suspicious vehicle and conducted a license plate check. His investigation determined the vehicle had been recently reported stolen out of the City of Pomona. Officer Covarrubias requested assistance (including the Pasadena Air Ship) and conducted an enforcement stop. The driver was arrested without incident and Officer Covarrubias determined he (the suspect) had a no bail warrant (previously arrested for grand theft auto). The passenger in the vehicle also had a no bail warrant. Both suspects were booked at the Pasadena jail. Great proactive police work!

On February 5, at about 12:31, Pasadena Police officers responded to the 300 block of Howard Street regarding a call of shots fired. On arrival, PPD officers completed a comprehensive search for suspects or physical evidence of the shooting; however, neither was located. Officers were not able to determine if in fact shots had been fired.

On February 5, at about 6:07 p.m., Pasadena Police Officers J. Rappuchi and Krikorian were on routine patrol and responded to the 2300 block of Las Lunas Street regarding a trespass investigation (vacant residence). On arrival, officers contacted two females and a male leaving the residence. Officers Rappuchi and Krikorian determined the suspects were connected with a stolen vehicle (taken from Las Vegas). A search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of electronic items, lap top computers, jewelry, and other items which have been stolen property. The suspects were arrested and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On February 7 at about 9:43 p.m. Pasadena Police Officers Disney and Wotherspoon responded to a residential burglary in progress in the 2900 block of East Del Mar Blvd. On arrival the officers observed a subject matching the description fleeing the area on a bicycle. The information was communicated to Officer Salazar who detained the suspect without incident. The suspect was identified and booked at the Pasadena jail. Great work by Officers Disney, Wotherspoon and Salazar.

On February 7 at about 10:47 p.m. Pasadena Police Officers Marin and Castillo responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon investigation in the 300 block of West Colorado Blvd. On arrival officers detained the suspect without incident. Witnesses and victims identified the suspect who apparently threatened store employees with a metal bar and pepper spray.