Pasadena Police Arrest Suspect in North Oakland Assault

A Long Beach man was taken into custody Monday morning after allegedly threatening a Pasadena resident with a knife and wooden pole during a confrontation in the 600 block of North Oakland Avenue, according to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo.

Russo reported that officers responded at 1:27 p.m. Sunday to a physical altercation involving a man armed with a knife. Upon arrival, officers detained a suspect identified as James Willard, 28, of Long Beach, who was attempting to drive away.

The victim, a 35-year-old Pasadena resident, was not injured.

According to Russo, the incident began when the victim’s ex-girlfriend arrived at his residence to confront him about the welfare of their children. The argument escalated outside, where Willard — identified as the ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend — threatened the victim with a three-foot wooden pole, stating he would kill him. Russo said Willard later retrieved a folding knife from his car and brandished both weapons while repeating the threats.

Independent witnesses confirmed the confrontation, Russo noted. Officers recovered the knife and pole from Willard’s vehicle after he consented to a search. Neither the victim nor the suspect sustained injuries.

Willard was transported to Pasadena jail and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats, Russo 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