Three Major Criminal Cases Scheduled Monday at Pasadena Courthouse

The first case involves Lucia Jilrara Perez and Rudy Salazar, who are scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing related to alleged burglaries during the devastating Eaton Fire. Prosecutors charge the pair with entering two evacuated homes in Altadena on Jan. 8, exploiting the chaos of a wildfire that destroyed over 9,400 structures and claimed 19 lives.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has been unequivocal about prosecuting opportunistic crimes, with District Attorney Nathan Hochman warning that those who prey on victims during tragedies will face full legal consequences.

In a separate matter, Antonio Olivera faces a preliminary hearing in connection with a violent assault at the Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station. Charged with two felony counts, Olivera is accused of stabbing a man during a verbal altercation that escalated on a pedestrian bridge crossing the 210 Freeway.

Olivera, who was arrested immediately after the April 17 incident reportedly while wearing a security guard uniform, could face up to four years in state prison if convicted.

The third case involves Sadarius Lawson, who will appear for a pretrial hearing in connection with the fatal stabbing in Pasadena of Alex Dominguez, a homeless man. The incident occurred on Aug. 12, 2022, in the 600 block of North Lake Avenue, where Pasadena Police officers responded to an assault call and quickly detained Lawson.

Beyond the criminal proceedings, a civil lawsuit adds complexity to the case, naming multiple defendants and alleging negligence. The case is part of a broader, troubling national trend of violence among and against homeless individuals, with the National Coalition for the Homeless documenting nearly 2,000 violent incidents over 23 years.