Pasadena Police Chief Reports 9 Firearms Seized in a 2-Day Period as He Recaps Recent “Critical Incidents”

In this report, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez reviews noteworthy incidents which occurred or were concluded in recent weeks in Pasadena.

On September 25, Pasadena Police Officers Thebeau and Velasquez were assigned to robbery suppression patrol due to a recent rash of street robberies (using force to pull gold necklaces away from the victims). While on patrol in the area of Washington Boulevard and El Sereno Avenue, Thebeau and Velasquez saw a male Black adult running south across Washington Boulevard holding what appeared to be a necklace. The suspect matched the description of the person committing the street robberies. Officers Thebeau and Velasquez ran after the subject and simultaneously called for assistance. The area was contained by assisting officers and the suspect (Tremarie Jackson, male Black adult, Las Vegas resident) was later found hiding in a vehicle. He was arrested without incident. Two other suspects (Raven Dixon, female Black adult & Devante Fox, male Black adult, both Pasadena residents) were also arrested when they attempted to hide Jackson in their car and drive him away from the police containment. The three suspects were booked at the Pasadena jail on a variety of charges. This case is great example of proactive policing ongoing in our community.

On September 26, at about 9:01 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 200 block of Parke Street regarding a threats investigation. On arrival, Sergeant Bzdigian and Officer Garcia determined that the suspect (male Hispanic adult, Pasadena resident) armed himself with two knives and threatened several family members. Sergeant Bzdigian and Officer Garcia found the suspect in Villa Parke and detained him without incident. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident. The suspect was booked at the Pasadena jail on felony threats.

On September 26 at about 9:57 p.m., Pasadena Police Officers Acosta and Harrell were on patrol in the area of Kings Villages when they heard what sounded like gunshots. The officers broadcasted what they heard, and simultaneously, the police communication center received three calls from residents confirming the shots. Within minutes, the police department received a call from a local hospital that a male Black adult had walked into the emergency room with a gunshot wound. PPD officers responded to the hospital and interviewed the victim; however, he was uncooperative and provided very little information about his gunshot injury. Officers found the victim’s car parked near the original incident. They noted the victim’s vehicle had blood evidence and was unlocked. During their investigation, PPD officers found a firearm in the victim’s car.

On September 28, at about 5:12 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 200 block of East Walnut Street regarding an assault investigation. On arrival, officers leaned that the suspect (male Black, homeless) attacked the victim as she was crossing the street (from the police department to the central library). Without provocation, the suspect spat on the victim and she quickly reported the incident to the police. Pasadena Police Corporal Carter monitored the incident and made note of the suspect’s description. Corporal Carter found the suspect in the area of the old YWCA building. The suspect was arrested without incident following positive field identification.

On September 29, at about 12:32 p.m., Pasadena Police officers received information about a wanted armed & dangerous kidnapping suspect from San Bernardino County who was likely in our community. Pasadena Police officers saw the suspect (Maurice Wardlaw, male Black, Pasadena resident) driving a Chevy Suburban, near Rosemont Avenue and Walnut Street. Officers initiated a traffic stop, however, Wardlaw failed to surrender. Officers engaged in a brief vehicle pursuit chasing Wardlaw to the 800 block of Manzanita. Wardlaw exited his vehicle and forced entry (kicked open the front door) into the residence in the 800 block of Manzanita. Officers quickly contained the residence and within minutes, a female & small child exited the home, they were uninjured.

SWAT officers negotiated with Wardlaw for an extended period of time and he subsequently surrendered without incident. Pasadena Police officers did not use force to arrest Wardlaw. He was transported to the Pasadena jail and the San Bernardino authorities were notified. A great effort to all the officers involved to arrest a violent and armed suspect (during a subsequent search of the residence, PPD officers recovered a loaded pistol) from our community.

* Special Note: Pasadena Police Officers and Detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU), Special Investigation Unit (SIU), and Special Enforcement (SES) seized 9 firearms in two days! Exceptional proactive police work helping to remove guns from our community!

On October 6, 2016, the Pasadena Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU), in Conjunction with the U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, located a known Pasadena gang member (Joshua Jacobs, male, 32, Fontana resident) in the City of Fontana as he walked to the store. This investigation stemmed from a shooting that occurred in the 1600 block of Casitas Avenue (in Pasadena) towards the end of 2015. Additionally, Jacobs had recently pled guilty to a gun possession charge, where he was ordered to turn himself into authorities on a 4-year jail sentence before Christmas of this year. FAU detectives, along with members of the Pasadena Police Department’s Homicide/Assaults Unit, executed a search warrant at Jacob’s residence where they found a loaded .45 semi-automatic handgun and various calibers of ammunition in Jacob’s bedroom. He was subsequently arrested without incident on Felony gun possession and Assault with a Deadly Weapon charges and booked into the Pasadena City Jail.

On October 6 2016, Officers from the Pasadena Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) served several search warrants in Mira Loma, Riverside, and Ontario related to a drug trafficking organization operating throughout Southern California. The Mira Loma location was a commercial nursery with multiple residences and structures. SIU collaborated with numerous enforcement resources for the operation, which included the Drug Enforcement Administration, LA IMPACT-Pomona, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Ontario Police Department, South Pasadena Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Riverside County Department of Children and Family Services, Riverside County Animal Control, and Riverside County Code Enforcement. The search warrants were executed simultaneously and the following evidence was seized: $82,033 in U.S. currency, (2) handguns; a 44.caliber Ruger (stolen from San Bernardino) & .22 caliber revolver, (2) rifles; (both .22 caliber), (2) shotguns; (both .12 gauge), approximately 1.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, and approximately 49 pounds of marijuana. Three suspects, (Omar Hernandez-Cabanilla, male-33, Mexican national; Juan Jaime Hernandez-Torres, male-28, Mexican national; and Angel Lujan Cortez, male-21, Mexican national) were arrested without incident and booked at the Riverside County Jail. Pasadena PD is the handling agency and is working with the Office of the Riverside County District Attorney for the issuance of a criminal complaint against the three suspects.

On October 7, 2016, Officers of the Pasadena Police Department’s Special Enforcement Section (SES) executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the 1900 block of Summit Avenue. They arrested Brandon Green (male-27, Pasadena resident) without incident. A search of the location revealed 6.8 grams of rock cocaine, 5.8 grams of marijuana, a scale, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, and a .22 caliber revolver. Both guns were reported stolen out of the City of San Bernardino. Green admitted to selling narcotics and possessing the handguns. He was booked into the Pasadena City Jail for drug and weapon charges.

On October 6, at about 10:44 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to Wilson Middle School regarding a bomb threat. The area was immediately contained and PUSD personnel evacuated both Wilson Middle and Willard Elementary Schools (Willard Elementary School is directly across the street from Wilson Middle). Students were placed on the fields of both respective schools. Our investigation revealed erroneous information sparked concerns about possible “clowning” incidents at the schools. PPD determined that there was no specific bomb threat, but rather misinformation and miscommunication that lead to a perception of a “threat.”

On October 6, at about 11:43 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Marengo Avenue and Washington Boulevard regarding a fatal traffic collision (please see the attached press release for further information).

On October 9, at 12:50 a.m. Pasadena Police Corporal Susan Gomez was on routine patrol near Lake Avenue and Washington Blvd. She conducted a traffic stop after seeing a motorists commit a vehicle code violation. During the investigation Susan determined the three occupants were all on active parole. Her subsequent investigation led to the recovery of two fully loaded handguns. The suspects (Jafus Collins, Black Male, 21 years, Riverside Res; Aubrey Eakins, Black Male, 25 years, Riverside Res; Christopher Howell Black Male, 25, Riverside Res) were arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena jail.