Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Week’s Critical Incidents

On August 29, Pasadena Police Detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU) participated in “Operation Thumbs Down,” along with law enforcement personnel from the US Marshalls, California Department of Corrections, and other police agencies. Detectives arrested about 35 suspects for narcotics and other felonies following an 18-month investigation.

On September 1, at about 1:10 a.m., Pasadena Police Officer Alvarado responded to a missing person investigation in the 50 block of North Craig Avenue. On arrival, Officer Alvarado talked with the victim’s daughter, who said her mother (Black Female, 74) had gone missing and was last seen on August 31. Apparently, the victim had been suffering from mild depression and hypertension due to the loss of her husband. Officer Alvarado coordinated a search of the immediate area; however, officers did not locate the victim. The officers obtained a vehicle description and entered the license number into a national data base. At about 2:30 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department received information that the victim’s vehicle had been spotted by security staff leaving the San Manuel Casino parking lot. A short time later, the victim was located, unharmed.

On September 3, just after midnight, Pasadena Police officers responded to a robbery investigation at El Cholo Restaurant. The restaurant had already closed when two suspects (Male Hispanics) entered the location. Both suspects were armed and ordered employees into the restroom. The suspects then took U.S. currency and fled the location. There were no injuries associated with this crime and the investigation is ongoing.

On September 3, at about 12:21 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Los Robles Avenue and Corson Street regarding a Strong Arm Robbery. On arrival, officers talked with the victim who said he was riding his bicycle north on Los Robles Avenue when he was approached by the suspects (Male Blacks). The suspects then forcibly removed the victim’s wallet. When they saw that he (victim) did not have any cash, they immediately fled the area. The victim followed the suspects and called the police. PPD officers detained the suspects near Los Robles Avenue and Walnut Street. They were subsequently arrested without incident following a positive field show-up, and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On September 4, at about 1:31 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 2000 block of El Sereno Avenue regarding a call of shots fired. Witnesses said they saw three Male Blacks running from the area of the shots. PPD officers located some evidence, supporting that at least one shot was fired; however, they did not locate any victims or where the round struck. The investigation is ongoing.

On September 5, at about 10:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 500 block of North Marengo Avenue regarding an Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon investigation. On arrival, PPD officers located the victim (17-year old Male, Los Angeles Resident) who was intoxicated and uncooperative. The victim was suffering from a laceration on his arm; however he refused to provide any suspect information.

On September 8, at about 10:22 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a call of a man down in Villa Parke. The caller reported the victim was not breathing. Pasadena Police and Fire personnel located the victim (White Male, 58 years old) in the middle of the park laying face down. The victim was nonresponsive and fire paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County’s Office was notified along with Pasadena Police detectives. Detectives did not discover any apparent trauma during their preliminary investigation. The victim was wearing a medical alert bracelet issued in San Gabriel. The investigation is ongoing.