The Pasadena Police Department will be conducting a Red Light Enforcement Program on Friday, August 3rd, 2007.  This enforcement program will be deployed throughout the Pasadena area.  The hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The program is an effective tool for achieving the Pasadena Police Department’s goal¼br> of reducing the number of traffic collisions in intersections resulting from red light violations.  These programs also educate the public in regards to safer driving habits.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

PASADENA, CA –  The Pasadena Police Department arrested a local choir director and music teacher on charges of Child Annoying, Exhibiting Harmful Material to a Minor and Providing Alcohol to a Minor.  All three charges are misdemeanors.    Russell Jackson, 46, of Pasadena was arrested on the charges today and, with his lawyer,  turned himself in at the Pasadena Police Department.  He was cited and released until his arraignment date of August 16th.

The charges stem from a compliant filed by a 17 year old victim who knew the teacher from a church in Glendale, CA, where Jackson was a choir director.  Jackson befriended the 17 year old and according to the allegations, invited the minor to his home in Pasadena where he gave the minor alcohol, showed him pornography and suggested inappropriate sexual activity.

Pasadena Police Detectives will continue to investigate the case.  Anyone with further information or who may know of additional victims 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: Music_teacher

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA    - The Pasadena Police Department arrested Jamal Harvey,24 of Monrovia, and Aujulius Bailey, 24 of Pasadena for the murder of Tommy Evans which occurred late last year.  Multi-agency SWAT Teams, consisting of over 75 officers, served 5 search warrants in Pasadena, Altadena and Monrovia. As a result of these warrants both suspects were taken into custody as well as several weapons and gang paraphernalia. 

On  December 19, 2006 Tommy Evans was shot and killed while he sat on his front porch in the 100 block of west Washington Blvd., in Pasadena. Detectives believe the motive for the killing was gang retaliation for a shooting a week earlier.  

“While the arrest of young Mr. Evans’ killer does not ease the pain of loss for his family, we hope that this helps bring them some sense of closure to those close to him and the entire community,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “In the meantime, we will continue to seek justice on behalf of all of the victims of senseless murders in this city with the intent and purpose of bringing back a sense of peace and tranquility to our neighborhoods. I encourage anyone who knows anything that will help solve these killings to call the Pasadena Police Detective section at (626)744-4522.”

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

PASADENA, CA – At 1:50 this morning the Pasadena Police Department responded to a shooting in the 1500 block of Navarro Ave. Officers found two gunshot victims on the property of a residence on that block. Both victims (Joesph Vargas, age 31and Sergio Mendes, age 34) died shortly after the shooting.

Detectives later arrested Jonathon Warren, age 22, Diana Reyes, age 20 and one male juvenile for the murders. They were arrested after tips from the public led Detectives to a residence in Covina. The motive for the shooting appears to be gang-related.

“This speaks to the need for our police department to continue its due diligence as it relates to abating this kind of violence,” says Chief Melekian. “Several years ago, this community proved that it could do just that, as evidenced by that period of time where we had no gang homicides. This senseless killing needs to stop.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Pasadena Police Detectives Section at 626.744.4522.

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

PASADENA, CA – On Tuesday, July 24, 2007, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, approximately 125 police and fire personnel from the cities of Alhambra, Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Fernando, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles County will be conducting a joint training exercise with the military at the Rose Bowl.  The exercise will provide valuable training to incident management teams in the above cities as they work together to coordinate actions and develop critical skills that would be needed in a emergency situation such as a natural disaster or other unanticipated event.

Operation “Golden Phoenix” will simulate a large scale earthquake that strikes Los Angeles County destroying major roads and freeways.  As a result, incidents involving mass casualties, crowd control, looting, and fires are reported throughout the area and additional rescue and law enforcement resources are needed but unable to respond due to traffic issues.   With the assistance of the US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard rescue personnel are able to be deployed as directed by incident management officials.

 During the exercise, it is anticipated that four Marine helicopters will be staged at the Bob Hope Airport and used to ferry police and fire personnel to and from the Rose Bowl where three ground exercises are planned. In addition one military helicopter is anticipated to fly for the duration of the event to observe the operations. Media representatives have been invited to attend the Rose Bowl event.

On Wednesday, July 25, 2007, similar exercises will be taking place at the Forum in Inglewood, Hawthorne Mall, and the Hawthorne and Torrance airports involving resources from the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Torrance.
 Additional questions may be referred to Burbank Police Department Lt. John Dilibert (818) 238-3002.

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

PASADENA, CA –   At approximately 8:30 a.m., Pasadena Police Emergency Dispatchers began receiving numerous calls of several wild dogs attacking and chasing residents in the area of Michigan Ave. and Mountain Street.

The Pasadena Police Helicopter first observed the three Pitt Bulls attacking a victim on Mar Vista Avenue, south of Mountain Street.  The Police Helicopter flew in low and used the onboard siren to scare the dogs away from the victim.  The dogs retreated and ran north on Mar Vista Ave., east on Mountain and south onto the 700 block of Michigan Ave., where a responding Pasadena Police Officer observed the pack in a yard.   The officer retrieved his shotgun and took a position behind his vehicle as the dogs immediately came toward him causing him to take several steps backwards.  The officer fired one round, which instantly killed one of the charging dogs.  The second dog continued to come at the officer, who then fired one more round, severely injuring that dog.   The third dog retreated north towards Mountain Street with the injured dog following behind.   Other responding officers contained the two dogs at what was later determined to be their residence in the 1100 block of E. Mountain Street.    A fourth Pitt Bull was also discovered in the yard of that residence.

All four Pitt Bulls where removed from the area by the Pasadena Humane Society.  The Dogs owner, Daniel W. Wyatt, 52 was arrested under Pasadena Municipal Code Section 6.12.010 (Dog(s) at large).

There were four victims who were bitten by the dogs, their injuries ranged from torn clothing to one serious bite requiring medical attention.

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

PASADENA, CA – On July 13 at approximately 4:00 a.m. police responded to several calls of shots fired in the area of Orange Grove Boulevard and Summit Avenue.   Officers arrived to find the intended victim in the 100 block of Orange Grove.  The identity of the victim is not being released at this time, but he is described as a male adult in his late twenties from Altadena. He was not injured.  The suspect had fled the scene, however officers were able to broadcast a vehicle description and while officers were interviewing the victims the suspect car was seen driving eastbound on Orange Grove.  Arriving officers in the area were able to follow.  A pursuit ensued with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.  The suspect, who is identified as James Smith, 37 years old, of Altadena was eventually caught and a gun was recovered.  He was arrested for attempted homicide.

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

 Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 500 Block of Elizabeth Street at 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday July 4th, 2007.  On their arrival, three men quickly ran into the residence.   

Officers contained the residence and eventually ordered everyone out.  A total of four male adult suspects were taken into custody.  A cursory sweep of the house revealed about ¼ pound of marijuana drying in a bedroom closet and a very strong odor of marijuana throughout the house.  A closed circuit television system was also discovered monitoring the street in front of the house, the driveway and the entry door to the rear garage.    

A search warrant was obtained and 158 marijuana plants in the attic along with a sophisticated hydroponics system was discovered.  An additional 32 plants with an equally elaborate hydroponics system was found inside the rear garage bringing the total to 190 marijuana plants.  The street value of the seized plants is estimated to be $15,000-$20,000.  A semi automatic assault rifle with ammunition was also found inside the home.   

All four men were arrested and booked into the Pasadena City Jail.  Their bail amounts range from $50,000 to $100,000.  The names of those arrested are: 

David Dabney, M/W 30 from Pasadena

Juan Castillo, M/H 31 from Pasadena

Gregory Salas, M/H 27 fromRancho Cucamonga

Benjamin Pena, M/H 29 from Rancho Cucamonga
 

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

PASADENA, CA – At about 3:20 p.m. the Pasadena Police Department received several calls about an adult male acting strangely at the corner of Hill Avenue and Maple Street.  The calls reported a man who was screaming, undressing and intentionally causing injury to himself.  Officers arrived and found the subject banging on the car window of a man who was in the area to visit family.   When officers attempted to contact him, the suspect became violently combative and fought with two officers.  A Taser was used to subdue the subject, however, he became combative again as officers attempted to restrain him.  He continued to be combative even as paramedics were attempting to render aid and he stopped breathing.   The subject was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.   

 “Officers exhibited great constraint in trying to assist this individual,” says Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian. “I believe the decision to use less lethal force was the right one.   I’ve requested the District Attorney’s Office to conduct an independent investigation.  The cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.” The name of the suspect will be held pending notification of next of kin.

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

PASADENA, CA - With the increased potential of wild fire, the Pasadena Police Department along with the Pasadena Fire Department will strictly enforce all laws pertaining to illegal fireworks in the City of Pasadena.  Residents and visitors to Pasadena are reminded that all fireworks are illegal in the City of Pasadena, including those marketed as “safe and sane.”   Individuals who are found in possession of fireworks can expect to have them seized.  In addition citations will be issued and/ or arrests will be made.

Additional parking restrictions will be posted in the hillside areas, particularly those adjacent to the Rose Bowl. Cars parked in violation will be immediately towed.

“This is by some estimates the driest year in more than 134 years,”   says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  “We are very concerned about the potential for extreme catastrophe resulting from illegal fireworks and we intend to vigorously enforce all applicable laws to mitigate that danger.”

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