Suspect Arrested in South Pasadena After Assault With Box Cutter

A 44-year-old homeless man was apprehended and arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and shoplifting on Thursday, May 2, after he allegedly brandished a box cutter menacingly at store employees, according to the South Pasadena Police Department.

The suspect, identified by poluce as Anthony Johnson, allegedly entered a grocery store in the 1400 block of Huntington Drive around 7:14 a.m. and shoplifted several items.

After leaving the store, he abandoned the stolen products, police said.

When employees attempted to retrieve the items, Johnson “brandished the box cutter” and “advanced toward them,” the South Pasadena Police Department said in a statement.

Officers responding to a report of a possible robbery in progress detained Johnson, who was reportedly found to be armed with a box cutter.

He has since been booked and is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail, awaiting arraignment.

The South Pasadena Police Department urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the South Pasadena Police Department at (626) 403-7265 or wc@southpasadenaca.gov, or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.