Wanted Suspect Wearing Wig, Silicone Mask Arrested in Pasadena

Despite wearing a wig and a silicone mask in an effort to disguise his identity, a tip led police in Pasadena to arrest a wanted man they had been seeking on Monday afternoon, officials said.

Officers were notified about 3:45 p.m. that Richard Phillip Torres, 32, of El Monte was in the area of Hill Avenue and Corson Street, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo said.

They pulled over a car Torres was riding in, which was ultimately determined to be a rideshare vehicle, he said.

Torres was taken into custody without a struggle, Russo said. A loaded handgun was found in his waistband.

Torres had failed to appear in court for a previous case in which he was accused of vandalism and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

A second man traveling with Torres was also arrested on suspicion of violating probation, Russo said.