PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section is hosting an Open House on Saturday, November 3rd.  The public is invited to attend this event which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2175 Yucca Lane, Altadena (cross street Windsor)

The following is a tentative timeline for this event:

11:00 a.m.  Gates open for public

11:30 a.m. Chief / Command Staff Opening remarks Q&A

11:45 a.m. Presentation: The History, Operational Responsibilities and the Future of the  Air Operations Section – Captain Robert Mulhall

12:30 p.m. *Flyover - Glendale & Pasadena helicopters

12:45 p.m. 2nd Presentation only if attendance requires it

13:00 p.m. Event concludes

AVAILABLE INTERVIEWS:  Chief of Police Bernard Melekian, Police Pilots and Observers, Community members

*Flyover - Air Operations personnel will coordinate a flyover between the Pasadena patrol aircraft (OH-58) and the quiet technology aircraft currently being used by Glendale PD.  The aircraft will perform two common patrol maneuvers: a standard 80 mph pass at 500’ agl (day time patrol altitude) and 2 orbits at 60 mph at 500’ agl.   

For more information, please contact Sergeant Mike Ingram.

To view the PDF of this Press Release click on the below link:
Police Heliport Open House�

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section is hosting an Open House on Saturday, November 3rd.  The public is invited to attend this event which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2175 Yucca Lane, Altadena (cross street Windsor)

“We are excited about the opportunity to increase public awareness and education about to airborne law enforcement,” says Chief Melekian.  “We want to share with our public, what we do, how we do it and why we do it in effort to let the public know what a valuable benefit air support is for our officers, and most importantly our citizens.”

The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section is the largest regional law enforcement operation this side of the Mississippi River.   It services Altadena and 10 partner cities and supports a regional law enforcement task force known as LA IMPACT.

Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Food and beverages will be supplied.  Information about the Helicopter program in Pasadena will be provided and a flyover is scheduled to take place at 12:30 featuring Pasadena and Glendale airships. 

For more information, please contact Sergeant Mike Ingram.

View the PDF of this Press Release Public Invited to See Airships and Meet Pilots

Pasadena, CA - In recent months there have been a series of residential burglaries where residents are tricked into stepping outside their residence by one suspect while another enters the home and steals property.  These burglaries tend to be in the central and east portion of the city just north of, and adjacent to, the 210 freeway. The suspects tell residents that their company is completing various types of repairs or services in an adjacent yard and that they need access to the victim’s yard and/or residence to complete the work.  In other incidents, the suspects distract residents by saying that they lost their ball in the back yard or that they are looking for a neighbor to gain access to the neighbor’s property or home.  The suspects are described as two Hispanic males in their thirties with a female Hispanic in her twenties.  A blue van or SUV was seen in one case.  They have been described as professional and convincing.

Pasadena residents are encouraged to be vigilant and report suspicious activity such as described above.  Residents should immediately call the Pasadena Police Department if they are approached by individuals attempting to gain access to their home or property or see suspicious persons loitering or sitting in cars in their neighborhood. 

In reporting theses incidents, the Police Dispatcher will need as many details as possible about the physical descriptions, vehicle models, color, license plate numbers, where the suspects were last seen, and how long it has been since the incident happened. 

Anyone with information that may be helpful in solving these cases should contact Detective Sergeant Bobby Lomeli at (626) 744-3816.

View the PDF of this Press Release Distraction Ruse Used In Pasadena Burglaries

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will host its annual Halloween Child Safety Program on Thursday, October 25th, 2007 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.  The event will be held in front of the Pasadena Police Department, located at 207 N. Garfield Avenue.

A large number of community children will interact with Officer McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog, who will provide Halloween safety information and fun candy goody bags to children and their parents in an effort to help keep kids safe during Halloween.  A costume contest will be held, free child fingerprinting will be provided, and a big screen viewing of the popular animated motion picture, “Tim Burton’s Movie ~ The Corpse Bride”, co-sponsored by Wescom Credit Union.

This is an excellent opportunity for great footage of police staff and volunteers interacting with children, while conveying the safety messages important to the season.  Don’t miss this great Community Outreach event.  For more information please contact Police Specialist Hilda Jurado at (626) 744-7650.

View the PDF of this Press ReleaseHalloween Child Safety Program - Photo Opportunity

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will host its annual Halloween Child Safety Program on Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The event will be held in front of the Pasadena Police Department, located at 207 N. Garfield Avenue. Children dressed in their Halloween costumes are invited to attend with their parents. McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog and Pasadena Police personnel will provide Halloween safety information. There will also be a costume contest, free child fingerprinting, goody bags for all the kids and a big screen viewing of the popular animated motion picture, “Tim Burton’s Movie – The Corpse Bride”, sponsored by Wescom Credit Union.

“The safety of our children is always a top priority! The overall excitement of Halloween combined with being out and about on the street to “Trick or Treat” can put our children at great risk. Parents, drivers and residents should all take extra precautions during Halloween festivities and follow basic safety measures” Says, Bernard K. Melekian, Chief of Police.Residents welcoming little goblins to the door should make sure the path is well lighted to avoid trips and falls. Jack-o-lanterns illuminated by candle light should be placed far away from where children walk and should be monitored. Children should not trick or treat alone, small children should be accompanied by an adult and older children should go out with friends. Costumes should be flame retardant, light in color, comfortable enough to move around in and short enough to prevent trips or falls.
Masks can be dangerous when crossing the street or going up and down stairs as they inhibit visibility, make-up is a much safer choice. Children should also be reminded not to run across streets, go into parks, playgrounds, alley ways, or the homes or cars of strangers. Candy should also be inspected before it is eaten.

Halloween should be a fun and safe experience for all. Suspicious, rowdy or criminal activity should be reported immediately.

For more information on the Holiday Safety Program, please contact Police Specialist Hilda Jurado at (626) 744-7650.
View PDF of this Press Release: Halloween Child Safety Program

PASADENA, CA – Since the beginning of October, there have been a series of early morning burglaries in the S/E area of Pasadena. In several of the cases, windows were broken and items that were clearly visible from the outside, such as purses or wallets were removed through the window. In other cases, doors left unlocked were used by the suspect to commit the crime. Several residents have been alerted by noises or activation of their outdoor motion-sensing lights. There have been some cases where the suspect possibly thinking no one was home, has inadvertently come across residents asleep inside their house.

Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity, including anyone loitering in the area or sitting in cars, regardless of the time of day or night. Residents should also ensure their doors and windows are locked before retiring for the night.

“We encourage people to be good witnesses,” says Deputy Chief Chris Vicino. “Police Dispatchers need as much information as possible about the suspect or suspects. Physical description, vehicle make, models, color and license plate number if possible, where the suspect(s) and vehicle were last seen and how long it has been since the activity occurred – is all really good information that will help.”

If you have any information regarding these cases, please contact the Pasadena Police Department’s Detective Unit at (626) 744-4522 during normal business hours and (626) 744-4241 during non-business hours. Call 9-1-1 for any suspicious activity in progress.

View PPD Press Release PDF Residential “Hot Prowl Burglaries” Pasadena

PASADENA, CA – On October 20, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department, Special Investigations Unit conducted a Minor Decoy Operation at various licensed liquor establishments in the city. The minor attempted to purchase alcohol from nine establishments, two of which sold alcohol to the minor. The establishments that made the sale were Panda Inn, located at 3488 E. Foothill Boulevard and El Portal Restaurant, located at 695 E. Street. Under the Minor Decoy operation, the minor must be under 20, must have the appearance of a minor and must answer truthfully if asked their age. Those who sell alcohol to a minor face a fine and/or community service for the first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will take administrative action against the business’s liquor license. That may include a fine, a suspension of the liquor license, or permanent revocation of the license.

ABC is conducting the compliance checks state-wide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.

In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

ABC is a department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak, a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.

 View PPD Press Release PDF Minor Decoy Operation

Since August 23rd the Pasadena Police Department has responded to three armed robberies of local businesses where the suspect seems to be the same person.  The suspect typically enters the a few minutes prior to opening,  and confronts the manager, store employees and customers at gunpoint.  He then demands an employee most often the manager to open the safe.  He binds the the victims’ hands an d flees the store with money from the store safe.

It is believed that the suspect has also committed similar robberies in the surrounding communities of Monrovia, Duarte, and Los Angeles (Eagle Rock).  The most recent attacks were on October 8th in Eagle Rock and October 2nd in Monrovia.The suspect in all the incidents is described as a Male African American, 26 to 40 years old, 6’ to 6’1”, medium build, wearing a hooded sweat shirt, ski mask, and gloves. In each case the suspect is armed with what appears to be a large black semi-automatic hand gun.

Surveillance photos are attached to the PDF file at:  Armed Robberies

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522 or call the Tip Hotline at (626)744-8477.

PASADENA, CA – On October 3, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department, Special Investigations Unit conducted a Minor Decoy Operation at various licensed liquor establishments in the city. The minor attempted to purchase alcohol from nine establishments, two of which sold alcohol to the minor. The establishments that made the sale were Vive, located at 61 N. Raymond Avenue and Bar Celona, located at 46 E. Colorado Boulevard. Under the Minor Decoy operation, the minor must be under 20, must have the appearance of a minor and must answer truthfully if asked their age. Those who sell alcohol to a minor face a fine and/or community service for the first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will take administrative action against the business’s liquor license. That may include a fine, a suspension of the liquor license, or permanent revocation of the license.

ABC is conducting the compliance checks state-wide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.

PASADENA, CA – This is a public service bulletin. In recent months the Pasadena Police Department has reported several cases where victims have been conned out of several thousands of dollars by suspects carrying out a scam based on the premise of cashing a lottery ticket. The victim is typically approached by a lone suspect who claims to have won the lottery. The suspect claims for one reason or another that he or she needs up front money to claim the winnings. As the victim is speaking with the suspect, another suspect approaches and offers to assist in obtaining the up front money. One of the suspects pretends to place a call, via cell phone to the Lottery and confirms the winnings. Both suspects pretend not to know each other, but convince the victim to accompany them to a bank to withdraw funds, usually in the victim’s vehicle. Once the victim has withdrawn the funds, one of the suspects tells the victim to place the money in a bag. The suspects then convince the victim to leave the car to buy food or for some other pretense. Once the victim is out of the car, the suspects flee with the victim’s money, leaving behind the victim with his or her car.

The modus operandi of the suspects has been to work in pairs usually male and female. The victim’s have all been alone and in many instances elderly.

Anyone who believes that they or someone they know has been victimized by this scam or who might have any information is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522 or the Tip Hotline at (626)744-8477.