Pasadena Man Arrested After Assault With Box Cutter And Shovel, Police Say

A Pasadena man was arrested Sunday evening after attacking his neighbor with a box cutter and later striking him in the head with a shovel, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo.

Officers responded at about 7:34 p.m. July 5 to the 200 block of Barthe Drive following reports of an assault, Russo said. When they arrived, police found a 32-year-old man suffering from a laceration to his left forearm and a cut near his right eye. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene, Russo added.

Investigators determined the victim and suspect, identified as 42-year-old Javier Mateo, are neighbors who had been drinking together in a common area before an argument broke out. During the dispute, Russo said, Mateo allegedly pulled a box cutter and cut the victim’s forearm. The victim fled to his apartment, but Mateo followed, retrieved a shovel, and allegedly struck him in the head.

Mateo was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary, Russo said. He was booked into the Pasadena jail.

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