Suspect Arrested Following Attempted Robbery at Pasadena Bus Stop

Police arrested a man after they say he tried, unsuccessfully, to rob another man of his cell phone at a Pasadena bus stop early Thursday.

Eric Hernando Neira, 44, of Pasadena was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, according to Pasadena police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.

The alleged crime took place shortly after midnight as the victim, a 22-year-old Pasadena man, was sitting at a bus stop at Raymond Avenue and Walnut Street. Neira approached the man, brandished a knife, and demanded his cell phone, said Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema.

The would-be robber ended up fleeing empty-handed, Hettema said. Details regarding the encounter between the two men were not available.

Based on the description provided by the victim, officers found Neira in the area and detained him, according to Hettema. A kitchen knife was seized from him, and he was arrested in connection with the attempted robbery.

Bail for Neira was set at $50,000 pending his initial appearance in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, which was scheduled for Monday, records show.