Man Arrested After Allegedly Attacking Motorcycle Officer, Vandalizing Vehicle

A 40-year-old Pasadena man was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly attacking a police officer and vandalizing his motorcycle, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Andrea Perez.

Jose Aranda-Garcia was taken into custody following a confrontation with the officer that began around 5:15 a.m. on Walnut Street at Pasadena Avenue, Perez said.

The incident started when a 68-year-old Pasadena man called police to report that a man had struck his vehicle with open palms as he was driving east on Walnut Street, Perez said.

Shortly after, a motorcycle officer reportedly spotted Aranda-Garcia sitting in an office chair in the middle of the roadway.

When the officer instructed him to move using the public address system, Aranda-Garcia allegedly jumped onto the windshield of the police motorcycle, causing the officer to fall, according to Perez.

Perez stated that Aranda-Garcia then charged at the officer, attempting to punch him. The officer blocked the punch, backed away, and deployed his , Perez said.

Aranda-Garcia was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries before being booked on several charges, including felony vandalism, assault on an officer, resisting arrest, a felony warrant for obstructing an officer, and possession of a controlled substance Perez said.

The police motorcycle sustained minor scrapes in the incident, but the officer was not injured, according to Perez.

The investigation is ongoing, and further details may be released as they become available, Lt. Perez added.

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