Local Man Arrested for Alleged Assault with Metal Pole

A 44-year-old Pasadena man was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking a 59-year-old Duarte resident with a metal pole, police reported.

The incident occurred around 2:31 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, near the intersection of Park Street and Los Robles Avenue, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Andrea Perez.

The victim was discovered bleeding from his forehead when officers arrived at the scene, Perez said.

The victim told police that the suspect, later identified by police as Jose Cruz, got out of an older model red truck and struck him on the head with a four-foot metal pole without provocation, causing a 2-inch laceration.

Cruz then struck the victim a second time on the left forearm causing a contusion before fleeing westbound on Park Street, Perez said.

According to Perez several witnesses were interviewed by officers at the scene.

The victim, who initially claimed not to know the suspect, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, which were described as minor.

During the investigation, Cruz contacted the Police Department to provide his account of the incident. In an interview with officers, Cruz admitted to hitting the victim with the pole but claimed it was in response to threats made by the victim.

Cruz also said he knew the victim from a previous business transaction, contradicting the victim’s initial statement said Perez.

The metal pole used in the assault was recovered as evidence, Perez said.

Cruz was subsequently arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Pasadena city jail, Perez said.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org