South Pasadena Residents Trap Burglary Suspect for Responding Police

On Thursday at 3:15 p.m. South Pasadena Police officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Meridian Avenue where residents were detaining a burglary suspect inside their home, authorities said.

Police said the incident began when a resident allegedly saw the male suspect enter the front door of a residence and recognized the suspect the same man who had entered his home two weeks ago and stolen a jacket and backpack.

The resident and his roommate entered the home and reportedly saw the suspect rummaging around, police said. The Good Samaritans closed the front door and held it shut to keep the suspect trapped inside

With the assistance of the Pasadena Police Department helicopter, arriving South Pasadena Police officers apprehended the suspect inside the home and arrested him without incident

The suspect is Elias Rodriguez,  a 31-year old transient from Los Angeles, police said.

Rodriguez also had an outstanding for a drug-related crime. Rodriguez was arrested for suspicion of burglary and transported to the Pasadena city jail to be held pending arraignment on January 18 in Alhambra.