Pasadena Police Chief Recaps Week’s Critical Incidents

On August 2 at about 7:30 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a report of road rage on Colorado Boulevard. One of the involved parties reported that the aggressive party displayed a handgun. PPD officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The officers conducted a preliminary field investigation and determined that a handgun was not involved, and that the alleged brandishing was unfounded.

On August 2 at about 1:30 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department received information about an elderly woman who went missing from East Pasadena. PPD initiated a massive search for the victim and alerted the local media and the community (via a Nixle alert) requesting their assistance in the effort to locate the missing female. Unfortunately, the collective efforts did not produce the whereabouts of the victim. On August 3, at about 11:21 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a report of a traffic collision at the bottom of a ravine in the 300 block of Manford Way. Officers arrived and found the vehicle. The drive and sole occupant was deceased behind the steering wheel. The victim was identified as the missing elderly woman from the night prior. The Los Angeles County Coroner Office was contacted and assisted with the investigation. The preliminary investigation does not suggest foul play.

On August 5 at about 12:30 a.m., two groups of Hispanics were at a nightclub in the 100 block of East Colorado Boulevard. Both groups started to argue inside the location. The nightclub staff intervened and escorted one of the groups outside the club. A Male Hispanic, 25 years old, who was with one of the groups, walked to a nearby light standard. He was approached by a Male Hispanic, who punched him on the side of the head. The victim fell unconscious to the pavement, and was transported to a local hospital in grave condition. PPD officers responded to the hospital and learned the victim was placed on life-support (http://www.pasadena.buzz/main/monday-bar-fight-victim-remains-in-critical-condition).

The on-duty Pasadena Police Watch Commander, Lieutenant Gourdikian, notified Pasadena Police Detectives, who ultimately responded. On August 5, at about 2:00 p.m., PPD received information that the victim’s family elected to remove the victim from life-support. The incident was classified as a homicide. On August 6, (less than 60 hours following the homicide) Pasadena Police detectives arrested several suspects responsible for the assault on the victim. Lead Detective Phampresented the case to the Office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney, who filed several felony charges including manslaughter. Detective Pham was assisted by Investigators Gordon, Sandeen, Duran, Russo, and Carter. Lieutenant Rojas and Sergeant Devis supervised the investigation.

On August 5 at about 8:47 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 200 block of West Washington Boulevard regarding suspicious circumstances. A witness reported seeing a male subject allegedly discharging a firearm at the residence. On arrival, officers saw a subject run into the rear house on the property. Officers asked the subject to surrender; however, he was nonresponsive. PPD established a command post and requested additional resources. Officers conducted a limited number of evacuations to ensure neighbors were a safe distance away from the incident. PPD officers began talking with the occupants in the front and later, the rear house, requesting they walk out to contact police. All complied with the request.

Subsequently, all occupants were accounted for without further incident. Officers then searched the location to determine if a firearm was involved. One of the subject contacted had a No Bail Warrant for probation violation. He was arrested without incident. The story was covered by the local media: http://www.pasadena.buzz/main/police-have-closed-washington-blvd-hunt-possible-gunman.

On August 6, during the early morning hours, Pasadena Police officers assigned to the department’s Special Enforcement and Special Investigation Teams served two independent search warrants in conjunction with Operation LaJale. The investigation involved the ATF and several other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The 13 suspects arrested during the search warrants are associated with the Mexican Mafia International Cartels. The successful operation was a follow-up to an extensive investigation of organized narcotics traffickers.

On August 7 at 9:38 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1500 block of North Raymond Avenue regarding a serious traffic collision. On arrival, officers found one victim driver (Male Hispanic Adult) in the driver’s seat bleeding and unresponsive. The passenger in the victim’s car (Female Hispanic Adult) was located outside the vehicle in serious condition. The driver of the second vehicle (Male Black Adult) was located attempting to mix into the crowd that had gathered around the crash site. All parties were transported to a local hospital with non-life threating injuries. The Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section was notified and responded to the incident. The preliminary investigation suggests alcohol may have been involved.