PASADENA, CA – On May 28th , Pasadena Police Special Enforcement Officers arrested Terrell Allen Dixon, 21 of Highland Park  for possession of rock cocaine at Fair Oaks Ave. and Yale St.

Officers also arrested two individuals for spray painting gang graffiti at Lincoln Ave. and Washington Blvd. Thus far, this incident is not related to the graffiti found at Cleveland Elementary school which was discovered on May 29th by the school janitor.

In total, Special Enforcement officers made 1 felony arrest, 10 misdemeanor arrests, issued 7 citations, and completed 22 field interviews over the course of one shift.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Memorial Day

PASADENA, CA – At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the area of the 1600 block of Lincoln Ave.  Upon arrival, officers were unable to located any victims or witnesses. Moments later, a local area hospital reported that they had a gunshot victim who came to the emergency room by private car. The male adult victim, who is an admitted gang member, is in stable condition.

At the time of this release, detectives were on scene to conduct the investigation which has been classified as an attempted homicide. No further information is being released at this time as the victim is not cooperating with investigators. The name of the victim is not being released pending further investigation.

For more information, please contact Lt. Dewar.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Attempt Homicide

PASADENA, CA - On May 23rd at about 5:00 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Fair Oaks Blvd., Pasadena Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a minor traffic violation. Subsequent investigation revealed that the two occupants were admitted gang members, one of whom was on probation. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a loaded 9mm handgun was located hidden up under the dashboard.

The occupants, an adult , 19 and a minor, age 16,  were arrested and transported to the Pasadena Police Department for further investigation and booking. Detectives are investigating to determine if the suspects and handgun are connected with any of the recent shootings in the area.

For more information, please contact Lt. Dewar.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Weapon seized

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department responded to a motel in the 2100 block of E. Colorado Boulevard yesterday, after receiving a call for service that a dispute was escalating. When the officers arrived, they contacted three individuals who were involved in the dispute over money with a patron. Upon determining their identity, it was discovered that both Jaime Rivera, 22, and Adrian Valdovinos, 20, had a felony warrant and were arrested. Officers developed information about a gun in the car and arrested Gabriel Parra, 24, a parolee who was booked as an “Ex-con With a Gun.” All three reside in Pasadena and are admitted gang members. Investigators are checking to determine whether or not any of the parties are involved with recent shooting in the community.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Gang members arrested

PASADENA, CA – On Thursday, May 25, 2007 at 9:15 a.m., Blair High School Seniors will have an opportunity to debrief and talk about the emotions they experienced in witnessing a drunk driving accident and mock death that was staged as part of an “Every 15 Minutes” assembly held in front Blair High School on Wednesday morning. The “Every 15 Minutes” wrap up assembly will take place in the Blair High Auditorium at 1201 S. Marengo Ave.

Several hundred Blair students experienced the emotional impact of losing a friend and saw first hand the devastation of a drunk driving collision. The Pasadena Police Department graphically staged a fatal collision involving a teen drunk driver, an arrest, and a rescue operation in Pasadena’s annual DUI prevention program known as “Every 15 Minutes”. The student who “died” in the exercise, will also reveal the impact that the devastating scenario had on him.

Statistics show that in the United Stats someone dies as the result of an alcohol related collision every 15 minutes. The purpose of the program is to challenge teenage drivers to think about, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions. Through awareness and education the program is intended to discourage teenage drivers from drinking and driving by showing how a bad decision can affect many lives. For further information, contact Officer Robert Dollar at (626) 744-6799.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Drinking and driving

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department served several search warrants yesterday morning stemming from leads developed from investigations of homicides and assaults that occurred earlier.  As a result of one of the warrants, a significant amount of drugs, four firearms, several thousand dollars in cash, police scanners and surveillance equipment were seized.

Eduardo Mendoza Solorio, 30, of Pasadena area was arrested and in connection with the one of the current cases.

“We are hopeful that every lead we pursue will bring us closer to closure on the case,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “The information generated through the course of the investigation lead the service of these warrants. The service of the warrants will undoubtedly lead to more information that will help us solve this crime and prevent Mr. Solario from committing any further crimes.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Search Warrant

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL) received information today, that it has been selected as a recipient of a grant from the Rotary Club of Pasadena. The Rotary Club approved an award of $3,000 dollars to Pasadena PAL that will support a portion of the PAL summer program.

Pasadena PAL offers year round out of school activities. During the school year, it offers an after school center which includes: tutoring, mentoring, culinary arts, jewelry making and a host of sports activities. During the summer, PAL kids take part in leadership activities, conferences and a variety of field and educational trips.

“The Pasadena PAL is one of the most successful in the state of California,” says Chief Melekian. “It is proof that community partnerships work in providing programs for young people and preventing crime. The contributions of community partners such as the Rotary Club make it possible to provide a safe and productive place for young people.”

For more information on the Pasadena PAL program community sponsors, contact Lieutenant Wallace. For more information on what activities the PAL program offers and to enroll students, contact Corporal Mark Lang at (626) 744-7655.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Summer youth program

PASADENA, CA. – The Pasadena Police Department is participating in the state’s annual Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign from May 14 to June 3, 2007.

The intent of the Click It or Ticket campaign is simple – to save lives and prevent injuries. During this campaign, the Pasadena Police Department along with hundreds of other law enforcement agencies throughout the state will concentrate heavily on seat belt violations. Since the campaign first began in California in 2005, nearly a million more motor vehicle occupants are buckling up. California has a primary seatbelt law which requires that every passenger in the car, including the driver, is required to wear a seat belt at all times. If stopped and found to be in violation, tickets will be written. Tickets for seat belt violations range from $80-$91 for adults.  When children under 6 are not properly secured, the parent or driver can receive penalties on their driving records in addition to fines ranging from $330 to  $971. Deputy Chief Vicino says, “We see that as a small price to pay in relation to lives saved. No one likes to receive a ticket, but the consequences of not being belted if you are in an accident are innumerably worse.”

Funding to support California’s Click It or Ticket campaign is  provided by a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Ticket Enforcement Campaign

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department has solved the double homicide that occurred on May 7, 2007, at 130 E. Washington Blvd. with the arrests of three area gang members.

Today, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed double murder charges against Jose David Elias, 20, of Pasadena; Eric Perez, 22, of Azusa; and Joseph Raymond Ruiz , 22, of Alhambra, for the murders of Anthony Walker and Jamal Varcasia. The three suspects are all admitted gang members.

Elias, Perez, and Ruiz were arrested May 15, 2007, during early morning search warrants conducted by in Pasadena, Azusa and Alhambra. The three men gunned down victims Walker and Varcasia in broad daylight in front of stunned on-lookers. The suspects will remain in custody in the Los Angeles County Jail until arraignment proceedings early next week. Bail has been set at $3 million dollars for each suspect.

 “These criminal filings were possible because of the cooperation and courage of community members and the hard work of the men and women of the Pasadena Police Department.  Our Detectives worked non-stop on this case. They were supported by area residents, providing pertinent details and information in order to bring this case to conclusion,” says Deputy Chief of Police Chris Vicino. “We promised the community we would bring these suspects to justice. We are doing just that today.”

For more information, please contact Lieutenant John Dewar, Detective Section.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Double Murder

PASADENA, CA – Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian was unanimously selected by his professional peers to receive the prestigious Sherman Block Memorial Law Enforcement Professional of the Year Award for 2007, from the California Peace Officers’ Association. This award is a great honor and recognizes the Chief’s leadership and contribution to the law enforcement profession on a statewide basis.

Chief Melekian will be honored at the annual conference in Lake Tahoe on May 22, 2007. Each year, the California Peace Officers’ Association selects only one law enforcement executive to honor as the State’s Law Enforcement Professional of the Year. This award is named after former and late Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block and it recognizes California law enforcement professionals who, like Sheriff Block, have distinguished themselves through dedicated service to their departments, their community and to the law enforcement field. It is the most California Peace Officers’ Association’s most prestigious award for which a law enforcement professional can be nominated.

According to the CPOA President Paul Capetelli, “There was overwhelming consensus of opinion that Chief Melekian was worthy of this award.” Chief Melekian says, “To be recognized in the memory of Sherman Block and in the company of some of this state’s most notable law enforcement professionals is truly and honor. I thank the committee for the selection, and I thank the men and women of the Pasadena Police Department who have helped me turn my vision into reality.” For more information about CPOA please call (916) 263-0541.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Sherman Block Award