Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of 2 Men Suspected of Breaking Into 35 Storage Units in South Pasadena

What began as a routine traffic stop early Monday led to the arrest of two men, who police say were responsible for breaking into 35 storage units at a nearby facility.

Kevin Ruada, 24, of Inglewood and Melvin Gomez, 25, of Lennox were booked on suspicion of burglary following their 3:10 a.m. arrests in the 1300 block of Monterey Road, according to the South Pasadena Police Department.

After stopping a car for a traffic violation, an officer noticed “several items in the vehicle that appeared to be stolen,” police said in a written statement.

“Further investigation led to the discovery of 35 storage units that had been burglarized in the 900 block of Mission Street,” the statement said.

Information regarding bail amounts and initial court dates for Ruada and Gomez were not available Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information was urged to contact South Pasadena police at 626-4030-7270.