Pasadena, CA - The Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) recently added the cities of Sierra Madre and La Verne to their air support program.  FAST is a regional Air Support partnership, founded in 1999 by Pasadena Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian to provide a regional law enforcement helicopter air support program to enhanced public safety services in the San Gabriel Valley.  It is one of the largest and most effective programs in the Western United States.  FAST is a partnership between the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Glendora, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and West Covina.  Each community has a share in the program and this allows for rapid air support for in-progress or just-occurred crimes. “FAST has been a model program on how law enforcement agencies can share their airborne assets in fighting crime,” says Chief Melekian. “Without this regional capability, many of the communities served would not be able to access such a valuable resource.  We are happy to add Sierra Madre and La Verne to the partnership and we believe the program will be even stronger with their participation.”

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

PASADENA, CA –   Last evening at 9:13 the Pasadena Police Department received a call from a person in the 600 block of North Marengo Avenue who said that his friend had been shot.   Police were on scene within 2 minutes to find a 32 year old male who had suffered a non life threatening gunshot wound. The victim states that he was sitting on a landing in front of his apartment complex when he heard gun shots. He immediately got up and noticed that he had been shot in the shoulder.  He was treated at an area hospital and released.  The investigation in-ongoing.  Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to call the Pasadena Police Detective section at (626) 744-4522.

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

PASADENA, CA –   Edgar Solorzano (38 years of age, Alhambra resident) turned himself into Pasadena Superior Court following the issuance of an arrest warrant for the rape of an 18 year-old female on February 19, 2007.

Pasadena Police Detectives advised that the victim had been sexually assaulted in a Pasadena office building after allegedly being given a drink containing a date rape drug. The victim was still under the influence of the drug the following day and did not notify the police until 2 days after the attack. According to Detectives, little evidence remained though the identity of suspect Solorzano was disclosed.

Detectives contacted local forensic specialists and learned of a new procedure (Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry) that can detect minute amounts of a date rape drug in the hair of a victim. Detectives sent strands of the victim’s hair to Toxicology Associates, Inc, a lab in Colombus, Ohio that specializes in date rape analysis.  Traces of the drug Rohypnol were found in the victim’s hair.

The Office of the District Attorney filed rape charges against Solorzano after receiving the lab report. Additional charges of Sexual Battery were filed against Solorzano after a second female victim (34 years of age) was recently located.

Solorzano was released on bail and is currently wearing an electronic bracelet pending the Preliminary Hearing which is set for placement on the calendar at the Pasadena Superior Court on July 12th.

“Date Rape cases are notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute usually due to lack of witnesses,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “This investigation shows how cooperation, coupled with new technology, between Detectives, forensic labs and prosecutors can provide the missing link for the successful prosecution of these predators.”

The Pasadena Police Department would very much like to know if there are any other people who have been victimized by Solarzano.  Anyone who has been a victim or has any other information regarding Solarzano’s predatory behavior should call the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Rape arrest

PASADENA, CA – On June , 24, 2007 Pasadena Police responded to a report of two subjects spray painting graffiti on the north sound wall of the 210 freeway just east of the Lake Avenue off-ramp.  The police helicopter responded to the scene and also observed the two suspects vandalizing the wall.  Ground officers tried to make contact with the two, but they fled on foot.  A containment area was immediately established and both suspects were apprehended.  Investigation revealed that Nicholas Esparza, 19 of Pasadena and one juvenile were responsible for damaging a significant amount of property.  Both were arrested for felony vandalism.

“This speaks to the effectiveness of timely reporting of crime and good coordination between Air Operations officers and officers on the ground,”says Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian.  “These two individuals are not only responsible for thousands of dollars worth of damage, but are responsible for contributing to community blight which directly and indirectly impacts our quality of life on a daily basis.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Felony Vandals

PASADENA, CA –Today, the Pasadena Police Special Enforcement Section conducted a 6-hour operation in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit and other state and county agencies.  Thirty locations in Pasadena and Altadena were targeted.  Fourteen people were arrested, 12 of which remained in custody for various parole, probation and narcotics violations. One gun was seized.

Chief of Police Bernard Melekian says, “The men and women of this department and the Altadena Sheriff’s Station are working very hard to stem the rising tide of violence that this community has endured these last several months. The victims of these crimes deserve no less.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Dozen arrests

PASADENA, CA – Pasadena Police Officers responded to two separate assaults yesterday in which the victims were stabbed.  The first occurred at 6:35 p.m. in the 1800 block of East Orange Grove Blvd., where Hugo Odella, 50 was assaulted by his roommate for unknown reasons.  The roommate fled on foot and officers were unable to locate him.  Officers are looking for Richard Rivas, 22 of Pasadena.  The victim was transported to a local area hospital with moderate to serious injuries.

The second stabbing, unrelated to the first, occurred at about 10:10 p.m. at the corner of West Del Mar Blvd., and South Pasadena Ave.  Police Dispatch received a call from a witness that a female was stabbed in the chest and was on the ground near the southeast corner of the intersection.  The victim has been identified as Holly Bouldin, 26, no known address.  She was transported to a local area hospital with moderate to serious injury.  The victim was uncooperative with officers.

Anyone with any information on either of these incidents is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Stabbing incidents

PASADENA, CA –  This morning at about 2:40 a.m.  the Pasadena Police Department received several calls of shots fired in the 400 block of Martelo Ave.  Officers responded, but did not find any victims, witnesses, suspects or evidence.  Later in the morning, at about 8:35 a.m. a resident called to report that they had found bullet casings in the street.  Police arrived to take a police report and upon further investigation discovered that one of the homes in the area had been impacted by several rounds.

“This was a crime with no witnesses,” says Chief of Police Bernard K Melekian.  “We can solve this, but we’ll need the public’s help to do so more expediently.  Someone knows who did this and we need them to report it.”

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything that may assist  with the investigation of this crime is asked to call the Pasadena Police Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Seeking suspects

PASADENA, CA -   The Pasadena Police Department will host the 6th Annual Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 17, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Paseo Colorado, (on Colorado Blvd. between Marengo Ave. & Euclid Ave).  This event will take place in conjunction with the Pasadena Chalk Festival at Paseo Colorado.

This year’s charity car show will feature over 150 classic cars and hot rods from 1930 to 1974, a raffle opportunity for a Pasadena Police helicopter ride, food and music.  The show is sponsored by Pronto Wash (Pasadena) with all proceeds benefiting the “Pasadena Police Activities League” (PAL) and “Haven House”, a shelter for abused women and their children.

Car show classifications and trophy categories can be downloaded at –

http://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/home.asp

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Car show

PASADENA, CA –  The Pasadena Police Department has called a press conference this evening at 8:00 p.m. in an effort to seek the public’s help in finding a missing man from the Washington DC area.  Pasadena Police and the FBI are looking for Dwight Chesterchire Smith, III, 52 years old, who was reported missing late this morning after a phone call he was on suddenly ended.  Parties with whom he was speaking called the Pasadena Police Department to report that they suspected something was wrong.

Mr. Smith arrived in Los Angeles this morning to attend a meeting in Pasadena.  He did not make that meeting.  He rented a Silver 2007 Honda Accord (California plates  5XWY979) and was apparently traveling from the LAX airport to Pasadena.  According to parties he was conversing with on the on his cell phone, he suddenly sounded distressed and the conversation was discontinued.

Since that  time the Pasadena Police Department has tried to locate Mr. Smith by: contacting local hotels, contacting hospitals in the region, dispatching airships along the routes he may have taken from the airport and by alerting other law enforcement agencies in the region.

Mr. Smith is described as 6’ 2” tall, 190 pounds, brown hair that is graying and he wears glasses.  He is assumed to be in business attire. The car he was driving is a 2007 silver Honda accord.

Anyone who may have information about Mr. Smith  is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626.793.3176.

The press conference will be in the Pasadena Police Department Assembly Room , 207N Garfield Ave.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Missing man

PASADENA, CA –  At about 10:50 last night, a Pasadena Police officer  who  was on patrol witnessed a group of males running from a location in the 10 block of W. Washington Blvd. The officer also noticed a fight in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the area from where the group was running.  The officer called for assistance and while waiting was able to stop and detain a male juvenile who had a bloody knife in his possession.  Other officers arrived on scene and were able to detain two more suspects and locate a stabbing victim.  Abel Orozco, 22, Alejandro Villegas, 19, both from Altadena and a 17 year old juvenile from Pasadena were all arrested for attempted homicide.

The 16 year old stabbing victim was transported to a local area hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery.

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