Report: Pasadena Police Worked to Stem Gun Violence, Jailed Alleged “Hot Prowl” Burglar in September

Pasadena police continued working to stem gun violence in September, as well as made an arrest in a string of “hot prowl” burglaries that had left a neighborhood on edge, officials said in releasing a “Community Briefing” Thursday.

Five shootings were reported during the month, which left one man wounded, records show.

Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said he was hopeful that a recently approved contract to install an automated gunshot detection system will help officers tackle the issue.

“Pasadena City Council recently approved the use of ShotSpotter gunshot detection and alert system as it is evident the good people in the impacted neighborhoods are willing to try the technology to deter/prevent any more uptick in this type of violence,” he said in a written statement. “Once installed and operational, the police department is hopeful ShotSpotter will help to alleviate future shootings.”

Additionally, detectives arrested a teenage suspect in connection with a series of eight “hot prowl” burglaries in the neighborhood surrounding Washington Park on Sept. 13, officials said.

“Many residents were fearful the suspect would strike at their home, forcing them to completely lock up during the hot summer days without any air-conditioning,” Grisage said. “They expressed a great sigh of relief and appreciation once he was in custody.”

Police handled 9,343 calls for service in September, including 5,585 911 calls, according to department data.

Officers seized 27 guns during the month, including 23 pistols and four rifles. Since the start of the year, police have confiscated 257 firearms.

De-escalation techniques were employed by officers 254 times.

Pasadena Police Department Crime Blotter for September 2021:

Sept. 1, 12:53 a.m.: A residential burglary occurred in the 1100 block of Heather Square while the resident was inside sleeping. The resident awoke after hearing a noise in the living room of her residence. The resident walked toward the sound and confronted a suspect in her living room. The suspect immediately ran out of the house and responding officers were unable to locate him.

Sept. 3,  3:09 a.m.: Pasadena police officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Navarro Avenue and Woodbury Road. The driver admitted to being in possession of marijuana and all occupants were asked to exit the vehicle so the officers could conduct a search for additional contraband. During the search of the vehicle, an unregistered firearm with a loaded magazine was found in the backseat. Both occupants were arrested and transported to the Pasadena City jail.

Sept. 4, 3:05 p.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the 200 block of Plymouth Drive regarding a domestic disturbance. The victim had a verbal altercation with his spouse at which time another family member struck the victim several times on the hands and arms with a machete. Officers responded and arrested the suspect while paramedics responded to provide medical treatment. Although not believed to be life-threatening, the injured victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Sept. 5, 12:50 a.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the 200 block of State Street regarding a hot prowl burglary. Residents reported they heard noises in the house and saw the silhouette of someone inside. Officers arrived at the location and after an exhaustive search utilizing a K-9 were unable to locate the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 5, 6:38 p.m.: Pasadena police officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Woodbury Road and El Sereno Avenue. During the stop, the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle as one passenger admitted to having contraband in their possession. While exiting the vehicle, the passenger attempted to flee from officers and was immediately detained. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered a loaded firearm from underneath the front passenger seat. Officers learned both the driver and passenger had previously been convicted of felonies and were precluded from possessing any firearm. Both were arrested for the weapon violation.

Sept. 5, 7:54 p.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the 300 block of West Green Street regarding a residential burglary. Officers found evidence of a break-in. While containing the area, it was determined the suspect was inside the location. The suspect was detained as he exited the residence with stolen property, which was recovered. The suspect was arrested for burglary.

Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m.: Pasadena police officers received information of narcotics sales occurring in the 100 block of North Los Robles Avenue. Officers observed two people leave the location, enter a vehicle and drive away. The officers stopped the driver after observing a traffic violation. While contacting the driver, it was discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant, leading to his arrest. Additionally, evidence of narcotics sales was located inside the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the location the suspects were seen leaving. As a result of the search, hundreds of forged checks were discovered along with large amounts of illegal narcotics. Both occupants in the car were arrested for narcotics sales.

Sept. 10, 12:13 p.m.: Pasadena police officers were dispatched to the area of Hill Avenue and Walnut Street regarding a road rage incident. The victim was riding his motorcycle when he engaged in an altercation with the occupants in another vehicle. The rear passenger in the other vehicle pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the victim, prompting him to call 911. Officers responded and located the described vehicle. Eventually, three occupants were removed from the vehicle and a search of the car was conducted. The search resulted in the recovery of a BB gun, which resembled the weapon that had been pointed at the motorcyclist. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a loaded handgun. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for firearm violations.

Sept. 12 at 10:49 p.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the 1600 block of Fiske Avenue regarding a burglary. The victim was woken after seeing a flashlight and the silhouette of a person in her room. She screamed and chased the suspect. The suspect ran out of the house while the resident ran to her neighbor’s house to call 911. The victim was not injured and during a search of the property officers located a couple of the victim’s stolen items. Officers searched the neighborhood but were unable to locate the suspect. A day following this “hot prowl” burglary, detectives arrested a juvenile suspect in connection with this incident as well as the other recently reported “hot prowl” burglaries.

Sept. 13 at 4:55 p.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the area of El Sereno Avenue and Montana Street regarding a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located the victim with several stab wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Witnesses provided detectives with leads and the investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 13 at 5:20 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Raymond Avenue and Maple Street regarding a ”shots fired” call. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting in the 400 block of North Raymond Avenue. There were no known victims from this shooting.

Sept. 13 at 08:02 p.m.: Pasadena officers were on patrol in the area of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue and Alameda Street As the officer was driving his marked police vehicle, he observed the a vehicle in front of him hit and roll over a person in the roadway. The officer immediately stopped to render aid, but the victim succumbed to his injuries. The Pasadena Police Major Accident Investigative Team (M.A.I.T.) responded to investigate the accident. Preliminarily, it appears as this collision may have been an intended act of suicide.

Sept 14 at 1:10 a.m.: A Pasadena Police Officer was flagged down in the area of Colorado Boulevard and Raymond Avenue by a person who claimed a suspect had stolen his firearm from his vehicle and pointed the gun at the victim when confronted. The officer observed the subject running south on Fair Oaks Avenue from Colorado Boulevard. Assisting officers detained the suspect at Fair Oaks Avenue and Green Street. The firearm was located nearby and the suspect was arrested. Detectives are conducting further investigation.

Sept. 14 at 1:14 p.m.: Pasadena police attempted to stop a vehicle after observing a traffic violation in the area of El Molino Avenue and Walnut Street. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The driver abruptly stopped in the 400 block of North Garfield Avenue and resisted as officers attempted to detain him. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Pasadena City Jail. There were no injuries reported from this incident.

Sept. 15 at 7:32 p.m.: Police responded to the area of Cordova Street and Shoppers Lane regarding a purse snatch robbery. The victim was walking to her vehicle when the suspect pushed her from behind causing her to fall face down in the parking lot. The suspect grabbed the victim’s purse and fled on foot. The victim was not seriously injured and did not require medical treatment.

Sept. 15 at 10:40 p.m.: Officers responded to the 1000 Block of San Pasqual Street in regard to a report of a suspicious person. The victim was walking her dog in the area and bent down to tend to her pet when she noticed the subject standing within inches of her. She stood up and the subject distracted her with a comment about her dog. The victim glanced at her dog while the suspect reached across her body and pulled on her purse. The victim screamed and the subject ran to a parked car and drove away. The victim was not injured.

Sept. 18 at 10:32 p.m.: Officers responded to the 900 block of Summit regarding a music complaint associated with a family party. Two guests became hostile with the responding officers and as officers attempted to detain the subjects, they resisted. A struggle ensued and the suspects were detained. However, several other partygoers became hostile and officers quickly determined they needed assistance. Additional officers responded and the party crowd was eventually dispersed. One officer sustained minor injuries as a result of being struck in the face by a beverage can.

Sept. 22 at 8:48 p.m.: Police officers responded to a report of shots fired near Lincoln Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard. Upon arrival, a victim was located with gunshot wounds but was conscious and able to speak. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for nonlife-threatening wounds. Evidence of the shooting was located. The investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 23 at 3:45 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 2200 block of Colorado Boulevard. The victim confronted the subject after he removed a flag from the victim’s parked truck. The victim was able to recover his flag but the subject continued to confront the victim, making threats while displaying a knife. The victim was unharmed and the subject left the area on a skateboard. The subject was located by officers a short time later and was taken into custody.

Sept. 24 at 10:21 a.m.: Pasadena police officers responded to the area of Raymond Avenue and Hammond Street regarding a call about shots being fired. Witnesses told officers they saw two vehicles chasing one another prior to the shots. Evidence of a shooting was located in the 900 block of N. Raymond Avenue. and it does not appear anyone was injured. The investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 27 at 07:23 p.m.: Police responded to the area of Howard Street and Sunset Avenue regarding a shots-fired call. Officers canvassed the area and located evidence of a shooting in the area however, no victims or suspects were located.

Sept. 28 at 11:33 p.m.: Pasadena officers responded to the 1900 block of Navarro Avenue regarding reports of a single gunshot heard. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting. No victims were identified.

Sept. 30 at 05:38 a.m.: Police responded to the 800 block of East Walnut Street regarding a woman walking around with a gun in her hand. Officers checked the area and located the woman in the 100 block of North Lake Avenue with the gun still in hand. Officers contained the area and de-escalated the incident by giving verbal orders to the woman to drop the firearm. The woman cooperated and was taken into custody. The firearm was identified as a replica firearm and the woman was arrested for brandishing a replica firearm.

Related:

Controversial Shotspotter Contract Approved

Teen Suspect Jailed in Series of Pasadena ‘Hot Prowl’ Burglaries

Man Hospitalized Following Pasadena Shooting

Pasadena Man Critically Wounded in Stabbing