Pasadena Police Department Critical Incidents Report for December, 2020

This information provides a greater awareness to the Pasadena community. The critical events detailed below are merely a snapshot of the calls received to the Police Communications Center every day. As your police department continues to move forward under Police Chief John Perez, the principles of the “Pasadena Way” possess greater significance no matter what assignment, function, or mission an employee serves in the organization as we continue to police with compassion and best intentions.


Total Calls for Service for December 2020: 8,973 (YTD: 106,139)
9-1-1 Calls for December 2020: 4,843 (YTD: 68,477)
De-Escalation Techniques Used During Calls: 91 times
Total calls received by Police Dispatch Center for the Year (2020): 259,051
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December 2020 Collected / Seized Firearms: 21 (YTD: 288)
Pistols – 12 (YTD: 201)
Rifles /Assault Rifles – 6 (YTD: 67)
Shotguns – 3 (YTD: 20)


December 1, 2020, 2:57 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of 300 Parke St. regarding a shooting at the nearby park. Officers arrived and immediately located three shooting victims inside the park, adjacent to the park’s soccer field. As officers began rendering medical aid, they discovered one victim was deceased and the other two victims were in critical condition. These two victims were transported to a local hospital where the second victim would succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The third victim was expected to survive. Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were sitting at a park bench when the suspect(s) fired upon them and fled in a vehicle. Pasadena Police Homicide Detectives responded to the scene for the investigation.


December 1, 2020, 7:29 p.m.: Officers responded to the report of a carjacking in the 3000 block of E. Orange Grove Blvd. The victim was securing the gate of a nearby city park, when an unknown suspect pushed the security officer from behind. The security officer fell to the ground as a result of the assault and when he recovered, he observed the security vehicle he was assigned, being driven away by an unknown suspect. The victim immediately called 9-11 and officers located the unoccupied vehicle minutes later. Unfortunately, the suspect was not located.


December 3, 2020, 3:30 p.m.: Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1400 block of Navarro Ave. for traveling at a high rate of speed. While contacting the vehicle’s driver, he informed the officers he was in possession of a handgun. The officers safely detained the driver and a loaded handgun was recovered from the vehicle. An inquiry into the gun’s serial number determined it was currently registered to a deceased individual from Riverside County. In addition to the firearm, illegal narcotics were also located. Officer arrested the driver for multiple violations including possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics and driving under the influence of drugs.


December 5, 2020, 4:14 p.m.: Officers responded to a business in the 1300 block of N. Lake Ave. regarding an armed robbery that had occurred. Upon the officer’s arrival, it was determined the male suspect had entered the business wearing a mask and gloves and while inside, removed a handgun from a duffle bag he was carrying. Threatening the employees with the firearm, the suspect demanded money and the victims complied with the suspect’s demands. Once he received the loss (U.S. currency), the suspect fled on foot. Detectives are conducting further investigation into this robbery.


December 5, 2020, 10:44 p.m.: Officers attempted to stop a vehicle, which displayed expired registration, in the area of San Gabriel Blvd. and Foothill Blvd. The driver of the vehicle sped off, running red lights, and failing to stop. Officers initiated a pursuit, which ended a short time later when the driver abruptly stopped the vehicle and the two occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. Both suspects were eventually located nearby. Officers arrested the driver for attempting to evade police in a vehicle while the passenger had outstanding arrest warrants. No injuries were sustained as a result of this incident.


December 6, 2020, 7:30 a.m.: While patrolling in the area of Garfield Ave. and Grandview St., Pasadena Police officers located a vehicle used during an armed robbery in a neighboring city. The vehicle was occupied and the two occupants/suspects were arrested. The police agency who conducted the initial robbery investigation, responded to take custody of the suspects and the suspect vehicle.


December 8, 2020, 8:29 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Fair Oaks Ave and Glenarm St. regarding a vehicle collision between two vehicles. The driver of the vehicle that was struck by the primary vehicle, was deceased as a result of the collision. Additional occupants in both cars were seriously injured which required immediate medical treatment. The Pasadena Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) responded to the scene for the investigation.


December 9, 2020, 5:58 p.m.: Officers responded to a residence in the 1100 block of N. Arroyo Blvd. regarding a burglary. The victim, who was inside of her residence when the suspect broke a glass door to gain entry, ran to a neighbor’s house for assistance. The victim and neighbor re-entered the home and while inside, the two saw a suspect flee from the house. The suspect entered a parked vehicle and fled. The suspect was able to steal several items from the victim’s residence before fleeing.


December 10, 2020, 11:02 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Lake Ave. and Washington Blvd. regarding a person who had been assaulted. Officers tended to the unconscious victim until paramedics arrived. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim had possibly been seated on a nearby retaining wall and had fallen off the wall after being struck by a paintball pellet. Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital for medical treatment.


December 11, 2020, 10:49 a.m.: Pasadena Police Officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Walnut St. and Fair Oaks Ave. The vehicle’s owner had recently reported the car stolen to a neighboring police agency and when discovered in a nearby parking lot, officers determined it was occupied by one individual. After taking this person into custody, officers contacted the vehicle’s legal owner, whom eventually responded to take possession of the vehicle.


December 12, 2020, 9:28 p.m.: Officers responded to a call of a robbery at a business in the 900 block of N. Lake Ave. The employees reported the suspect initially posed as a legitimate customer, but eventually pulled out a handgun and demanded money. The victims complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect fled once he received the loss. Detectives continue their investigation into this robbery.


December 14, 2020, 6:40 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Cliff Dr. in regards to an assault that had occurred between siblings, two days prior. On 12/12/20 the suspect and victim became involved in an argument during which the suspect threw a glass plate. The plate broke and the suspect used a glass shard to threaten the victim. While fending off the suspect, the victim was cut. Officers contacted and arrested the suspect when they responded two days later.


December 15, 2020, 5:06 p.m.: Pasadena Police Officers were requested to respond to a local hospital regarding a victim who was seeking medical treatment after being assaulted one day earlier. The victim told officers, while sleeping in a nearby park; a known transient assaulted her with a metal pipe. The victim feared reporting the incident to police because of possible retaliation.


December 16, 2020, 10:06 a.m.: While on patrol, officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle. With the assistance of the police department’s helicopter, the vehicle was located near the intersection of Lake Ave. and Earlham St. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over and officers initiated a pursuit. The driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to evade officers as he continuously ran several stop signs and red lights. Because of his reckless driving, the suspect ultimately crashed the stolen vehicle into a residential retaining wall in the 500 block of E. Mountain St. and the suspect fled the location on foot. The suspect was located and taken into custody a short time later. There were no injuries as a result of this pursuit or collision.


December 16, 2020, 2:38 p.m.: Officers contacted a pedestrian in the area of Halstead St. and Foothill Blvd. The suspect was evasive during the stop and suddenly took off running in an attempt to evade the officers. With the assistance of the Pasadena Police helicopter and additional officers, the suspect was located, detained and subsequently taken into custody for an out of state warrant. It was also determined the suspect was in possession of stolen property.


December 17, 2020, 1:12 a.m.: Officers responded to the 1900 block of Navarro Ave. regarding a shots fired call. Witnesses reported hearing two shots and a vehicle leaving the area. Officers did not initially find evidence of a shooting however, a short time later, Pasadena Police Dispatch Center received a call from a local hospital reporting a person with a gunshot wound had arrived for medical treatment. Officers responded to the hospital as well as Navarro Ave. and eventually located evidence of a shooting in the area. Detectives were notified and the investigation is continuing.


December 18, 2020, 6:58 p.m.: Officers responded to the 1000 block of S. Raymond Ave. regarding a victim who was reporting his vehicle had been carjacked. The victim was seated in his vehicle when he was approached by two suspects; one of which was holding a firearm. The suspects instructed the victim to exit the car at which time they entered the car and fled. The victim’s car, which is alleged to have been used in the commission of a murder in a different jurisdiction, was recovered a few days later.


December 18, 2020, 7:39 p.m.: Pasadena Police Department’s Dispatch Center received calls of a collision at Colorado Blvd and San Gabriel Blvd. The vehicle struck an elderly pedestrian who attempted to cross the street against the green traffic signal. There were several witnesses to the incident and it is unknown why the pedestrian crossed at that particular time. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative throughout the investigation. The victim was transported to a local hospital and ultimately succumbed to her injuries.


December 19, 2020, 10:22 a.m.: Officers responded to the 100 block of Bellevue Dr. regarding a call from victim reporting a female had threatened him with a knife. As the police arrived, the suspect was seen running into a nearby apartment. Officers followed the suspect and after an extended period of negotiations, she was convinced to surrender and was taken into custody. No one was injured during this incident.


December 20, 2020, 6:39 p.m.: During the afternoon hours, the City of Altadena was impacted with multiple shootings, which initially appeared to be gang related. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies from Altadena Sheriff’s station shared with the Pasadena Police Department, a description of the suspect vehicle(s). Later in the evening, Pasadena Police Department’s helicopter crew observed a vehicle that matched the vehicle description provided by the Sheriff’s Deputies. The helicopter crew directed Pasadena PD ground units to the car and a traffic stop was conducted in the area of Fair Oaks Ave. and Montana St. A handgun was recovered from the suspect vehicle and preliminarily, it appears the occupants of the vehicle were involved in at least one (and possibly all) of the Altadena shootings. The Los Angeles County Deputies responded and took custody of the vehicle’s occupants.


December 21, 2020, 3:03 a.m.: During the early morning hours, the off-site security company monitoring the premises of a local car dealership in the 3000 block of E. Colorado Blvd. reported four vehicles from the dealership had been driven through security gates at the location and off the dealership’s parking lot. A few hours later, it was reported one of the stolen vehicles had been abandoned near the area of Orange Grove Blvd. and California Blvd. This vehicle was recovered and returned to the dealership.


December 21, 2020, 2:36 p.m.: Officers responded to the 100 block of Pepper St. regarding a robbery. The victim had arranged to meet a friend in the area and when he arrived, he was attacked by several individuals as he exited his vehicle. The suspects forcefully took personal property from the victim, which included a firearm he possessed for work as a security guard. The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of this attack.


December 22, 2020, 3:50 p.m.: Officers were on patrol when they observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign at Montana St. and Raymond Ave. The officers initiated a traffic stop for the violation and the vehicle yielded. Upon contact, officers determined the passenger (a juvenile) was on active probation and the driver consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located a loaded handgun in close proximity to where the passenger was seated which led to the juvenile suspect’s arrest without incident.


December 22, 2020, 5:37 p.m.: Pasadena Police Department Officers responded to a report of an attempted carjacking at Marengo Ave. and Union St. The suspect approached the victim’s vehicle as they were stopped at the traffic signal and attempted to gain entry. Fortunately, the driver locked the vehicle’s doors as the suspect approached the car and sped off as the suspect attempted to open a rear passenger door. The suspect chased after the victims and the driver quickly called the Pasadena Police Department. The suspect was located by officers a short time later and was positively identified as the suspect who attempted to carjack the vehicle. The suspect was determined to be under the influence of narcotics and was arrested.


December 23, 2020, 7:28 p.m.: Officers responded to an overturned vehicle in the area of Linda Vista Ave. and Holly St. Upon arrival, Officers located a two-vehicle collision with one vehicle overturned. Pasadena Fire Department responded and extracted the occupants of the overturned vehicle. Several of the occupants sustained injuries because of the collision. The Major Accidents Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Preliminary analysis suggests speed and alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in the collision.


December 23, 2020, 11:21 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Dayton St. and Fair Oaks Ave. regarding a robbery. The investigation determined as the victim was seated, a suspect approached the victim and took the victim's jacket. A struggle ensued as the suspect was putting on the jacket and the suspect punched at the victim. The victim fell to the ground during the struggle, but was uninjured. Officers arrived and the victim directed them to the suspect’s location, at which time an arrest was made. The jacket was returned to the victim at the scene.


December 25, 2020, 2:16 p.m.: Officers responded to the 1000 block of N. Raymond Ave. regarding an attempted homicide. The victim was to the rear of his residence when he was struck by gunfire. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Officers identified the crime scene and began their investigation, which was continued by Detectives who responded to the scene.


December 27, 2020, 5:44 a.m.: Officers responded to a call of a possible burglary in progress at a business in the 2500 block of Nina St. Upon arrival, an officer noticed a car parked in the driveway of the business. When the vehicle’s occupant saw the officer, he sped away leading the officers on a short vehicle pursuit. It was quickly discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen out of San Bernardino County. Soon after, the driver stopped the car and fled on foot. He was located and taken into custody a short time later and arrested for several felony crimes including Grand Theft Auto and evading police. No officers were injured during this investigation.


December 28, 2020, 8:29 p.m. to December 29, 2020, 2:00 a.m.: During a 5 ½ hour period, Pasadena Police Officers responded to three different robberies; all were believed to have been committed by the same suspect. Two of the robberies were committed at businesses in the 700 block of S. Arroyo Pkwy. and the third occurred at a business in the 300 block of W. Colorado Blvd. Additionally, it was learned the suspect may have also committed numerous robberies in a neighboring city. The suspect committed every robbery at gunpoint and his distinct clothing description remained consistent during every robbery. With the assistance of the police helicopter, the suspect’s vehicle was located and eventually stopped by Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect was detained and positively identified by all witnesses. The firearm and additional evidence was recovered in his vehicle. The suspect was subsequently arrested and transported to the Pasadena Jail, where he was booked.


December 29, 2020, 7:52 a.m.: Pasadena Police responded to 100 block of E. Colorado Blvd. regarding a physical attack on an elderly couple who were in the area for their daily walk. Officers arrived on scene and located the couple. The elderly male victim was injured but in stable condition. The elderly female victim was also injured and found to be in critical condition. Pasadena Fire Paramedics transported her to a local hospital where she was admitted and remained in critical condition for the next few days until she succumbed to her injuries a week later. Detectives responded for the investigation and quickly identified the suspect who assaulted the elderly couple. The suspect was located and arrested approximately one week after the assault.


December 29, 2020, 8:09 p.m.: Pasadena Officers responded to the area of Del Monte St. and Mentone Ave. regarding a disturbance. The involved subjects are known to loiter in the area and when officers arrived, the group of subjects involved in the disturbance were detained. Three handguns located in the immediate area of the group and several of the subjects were arrested for weapons violations.


December 31, 2020, 9:39 p.m.: While patrolling the area of N. Raymond Ave. and Penn St., officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Officers conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver who was unable to provide his driver’s license because it had fallen under his seat. Officers retrieved the license and discovered the driver also had a loaded handgun concealed under the driver’s seat, adjacent to the license. The driver was arrested for possessing the loaded firearm in his vehicle.