Pasadena Police Recap Week’s Critical Incidents

On September 28 at about 2:30 p.m., The Pasadena Police Department responded to a protest at a financial institution in the 100 block of North Lake Avenue. On arrival, officers discovered 80 protestors who were waving signs and yelling chants. The protestors left the location after about 45 minutes and there were no arrests or injures. Lieutenant John Dewar, Sergeant Bobby Crees, and officers from the Special Enforcement Section (SES) monitored the protesters to ensure they complied with the law. The protest was covered by the local media: http://articles.pasadenasun.com/2012-09-28/the626now/34152544_1_group-protests-pasadena-police-south-san-rafael.

On September 29, during the evening hours, Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section conducted a DUI Check Point in the area of Arroyo Parkway and Cordova Street. Officers assigned to the check point monitored approximately 2,975 vehicles, which resulted in 39 field sobriety exams and 13 arrests for DUI. The DUI check point is totally funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The following personnel were involved: Sergeants Gourdikian and Ortiz, Corporals Peinado, Wilkins, Pham, and Carter, Officers Hsu, De Sylva, J. Calderon, Kim, Myles, Hamblin, Duran, Locklin, Gaudet, Marquez, Blanchard, Kang, and McKenzie, PSIII Munoz, and PSIVs Jurado and Lui. Pasadena Police Lieutenant Randell Taylor commands the traffic section.

On September 30 at about 4:30 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to Central Park in the 200 block of South Raymond Avenue, regarding a stabbing that just occurred. On arrival, officers learned that the incident was the result of a confrontation. During the fight, the suspect stabbed the victim several times. Pasadena paramedics responded to the incident and transported the victim to a local hospital in fair condition. Sergeant Paul Carpenter supervised our investigation and later learned that the suspect resides in Arcadia. Arcadia Police Department was contacted and advised of the stabbing. We then learned that the suspect was at a hospital in Arcadia for treatment from the altercation. PPD officers responded to the hospital and arrested the suspect without incident. The suspect was transported to the Pasadena jail and booked for attempted murder.

On October 2 at about 11:00 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1200 block of East Colorado Boulevard regarding a robbery. On arrival, officers leaned that the suspect was attempting to sell some books to a business owner. The owner became suspicious and challenged the suspect, thinking the books may have been stolen. The suspect grabbed additional property from the business owner and attempted to run out of the store. The owner (victim) chased the suspect and attempted to detain him. The suspect broke away from the victim and ran past two uniformed Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies, who were in the area. The deputies detained the suspect until PPD offices arrived. The suspect was arrested without further incident and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On October 2, Pasadena Police Officer Sal Vidales responded to the area of Lake Avenue and Washington Boulevard regarding a possible Kidnap for robbery case. Sal talked with the victim, a male adult, who said he was approached by two suspects who forced him to a grocery store and withdraw cash from an ATM. The victim provided a detailed description of the suspects and their last known location. Sal transmitted his preliminary information over the radio to other field units who were patrolling the area. Officer Frank Cutkelvin later observed one of the suspects described in the robbery. Frank contacted the suspect, and following a positive identification, arrested him without incident. Pasadena Police detectives are actively investigating the case, attempting to locate the outstanding suspect.

On October 3 at about 4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Claremont Street and Fair Oaks Avenue regarding an attempt kidnap. On arrival, officers talked with the victim (female adult) who said she and the suspect had been involved in an extended relationship. The relationship was recently dissolved. The suspect and another male attempted to force the victim into their vehicle; however, she resisted. The suspects abandoned their efforts to abduct the victim and drove away in their car. Our investigation is ongoing.

On October 4 at about 12:10 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Memorial Park regarding an attempted suicide. The victim was despondent over the break up with her boyfriend, and went to the park where she stabbed herself several times. She had moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. She was ultimately placed on a mental health hold (WIC 5150). Sadly, the victim committed suicide on October 5. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office responded to recover the victim’s body.