Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
February 5, 2012
Our Community:
On January 29, I had the opportunity to attend the 2012 Cultures of China - Festival of Spring to celebrate the Chinese New Year. More than 500 people attended the event, which was held at the Pasadena Civic auditorium. Special thanks to my host, Michael Zhang – President of the Los Angeles Chinese-American Sheriff Advisory Committee.
On January 31, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle and I attended the Kick-Off Planning meeting for the Walk for Kids, which is hosted by the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. The planning meeting was focused on forming community teams to participate in this year’s Walk for Kids, which benefits the victims of childhood cancer and their families. For more information on Walk for Kids, please contact Pasadena Ronald McDonald House Executive Director Elizabeth Dever at (626) 204-0400 or email here.
On February 1, several Pasadena Police employees and I attended the Rose Bowl Game Wrap Up meeting. The participants offered their perspectives on the positive segments of the Rose Bowl game and areas where we can improve next year. Senior Game Manager Edward Corey and Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Ash were among the stakeholders at the meeting.
On February 2, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls and I attended a Vision 20/20 meeting on parolee realignment. The meeting focused on a number of issues related to parolee realignment, which included the role of law enforcement and nonprofits. Flintridge Center Executive Director Jaylene Moseley, Dr. Sandra Thomas, Councilwomen Jacque Robinson and her Field Representative Tina Williams, and Flintridge Center Program Director Brian Biery also attended. Our special guest was Nyabingi Kuti.
On February 2, Lieutenants Rodney Wallace and Phlunte Riddle, Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar, and I attended an event at the Pasadena Senior Center to “Honor our History.” The event honored our WW I veterans and was well attended.
On February 4, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Lieutenants Rodney Wallace and Phlunte Riddle, Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar, and I attended the Red, Black and Green Honors Event celebrating Black History. VIPs included Council Members Chris Holden and Jacque Robinson, Pasadena Branch NAACP President Joe Brown and PUSD School Board President Renatta Cooper. Former Anchor Reporter KTLA Channel 5 Walter Richards served as the Master of Ceremony and Allisonne Crawford entertained the audience was a special version of Lift Every Voice And Sing. Special thanks to Community Services Supervisor Jarvis Emerson for helping with the event.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On January 12, the Pasadena Police Department received a letter from Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Michelle Caruso commending Pasadena Police Caine Officer Donovan Jones for his valuable contribution to Pasadena youth. At Michelle’s invitation, Donovan lectured to a class of students about the Pasadena Police Canine program. Of course Donovan’s canine partner, Bono, was the focus of the students’ attention. Michelle is assigned to the District Attorney’s Bureau of Community Relations and teaches at Project LEAD (Legal Education and Decision-making).
On January 13, I received a letter from Pasadena Tabernacle Social Service Director Patrick Riley commending Pasadena Police Lieutenant Tom Delgado for his assistance with the Salvation Army’s Community Thanksgiving dinner. On his off-duty time, Tom helped serve meals to more than 849 people.
On January 20, I received a letter from California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy commending Pasadena Police Lieutenant Randell Taylor and Sergeant Vasken Gourdikian for their outstanding implementation and management of the OTS Grant Program. Christopher indicated that it was a pleasure to work with Randell and Vasken throughout the grant process. PPD uses the grant funds to support specialized traffic enforcement efforts such as DUI and red-light enforcement programs.
On January 25, I received a letter from a community member commending Pasadena Motor Officer Philip Klotz for his professionalism during a traffic enforcement stop. The author was stopped and could not initially produce verification of insurance. According to the author, Phil waited patiently until the motorist found her insurance card.
On January 31, I received an email from a citizen commending Pasadena Police Officer Thomas Corralez for is part in the arrest of a residential burglary suspect. The citizen said in part, “It helps us sleep better at night knowing that Pasadena PD is working hard to keep the neighborhood safe.”
On February 1, I received a letter from Sierra Madre Chief Larry Giannone commending Pasadena Police Commander Chris Russ for his participation their recent testing process for sergeant.
On February 2, I received information that Pasadena Police Officer Tom Blanchard completed the Youth of Promise Mentoring Certificate Program. Tom is volunteering his time to help shape and develop young people in Pasadena.
Critical Incidents:
On January 27 at 10:11 p.m., Pasadena Police Officer Aaron Villicana was on routine patrol near Fair Oaks Avenue and California Avenue. The Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) in his marked police vehicle alerted on a stolen vehicle. Aaron confirmed the vehicle was stolen and initiated an enforcement stop. The driver was subsequently arrested without incident and booked at the Pasadena jail. The incident was covered in the local media: www.crowncitynews.com/news/pasadena-police-alpr-arrest-1894.
On January 27 at 10:45 p.m., Pasadena Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) served a search warrant in the 100 block of West Washington Boulevard. Due to illegal activity, the location has been the focus of several police investigations, including drug sales. The SES officers arrested four adult suspects at the location. The suspects were booked at the Pasadena jail for narcotics violations and manufacturing counterfeit U.S. currency. The information concerning the counterfeiting operation was shared with the appropriate federal law enforcement agency. Pasadena Police Officer Edgar Sanchez conducted the initial investigation which led to securing a search warrant for the West Washington location.
On January 28 at about 3:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Holly Street and Marengo Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving an elderly pedestrian and a single vehicle. Preliminary investigation suggests that the pedestrian was walking outside of the crosswalk when he was hit (slightly) by a passing vehicle, causing the pedestrian to fall to the ground. Pasadena Fire Paramedics treated the victim at the scene and later transported him to a local hospital. Traffic Officer Doug Hamblin is the lead investigator, assisted by Traffic Sergeant Mario Ortiz.
On January 28 at about 4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police Officers Victor Ontiveros and David Garcia were patrolling the area of Fair Oaks Avenue and Washington Boulevard, when the Automatic License Plat Reader (ALPR) in their marked police vehicle alerted on a stolen vehicle. The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and arrested two suspects without incident. The suspects were booked at the Pasadena jail.
On January 29 at about 3:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to Washington Park regarding shots fired involving several male adults and two vehicles. With the assistance of the Air Support Unit, officers conducted an extensive search of the park and surrounding area; however, they were unable to locate the involved suspects. Our investigation is on-going.
On January 30 in the early morning hours, several Pasadena Police detectives conducted compliance checks on sex offenders throughout the city. The teams checked thirty locations and discovered 26 of the subjects were in compliance. Monica Cuellar, Schuyler Sandeen, Robert Tucker, Bryan Marin, Mark Lang, Deanne Nestlerode, Robert Mercado, Carlos Sainz, and James Deal were involved in the enforcement effort. The teams were supervised by Sergeant Jesse Carrillo.
On January 30 at about 9:00 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to a report of a fight inside a business in the 1000 block of North Lake Avenue. As the officers arrived they received additional information that the suspect involved in the fight was possibly armed. Our investigation determined that two adults were fighting inside the business. No weapons were involved.
On January 30 at about 9:05 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 400 block of North Daisy Avenue regarding suspicious circumstances. On arrival, Officer Thomas Corralez saw a subject in a vehicle matching the description of a possible burglary suspect (the description was provided by a community member prior to Thomas’ arrival). Thomas stopped the vehicle near Castano Avenue and Villa Street and detained the suspect.
As additional officers arrived in the area, the Pasadena Police Communication Center received additional calls of a possible burglary in progress at a home located on Daisy Avenue. Officers Kevin Arbuckle and Elgin Lee detained two juvenile suspects in the area as Pasadena Officers David Garcia, Victor Ontiveros, and Michael Herrera responded to the residence. David, Victor and Michael determined a residential burglary had occurred. The officers developed sufficient probable cause and the three suspects (one adult and two juveniles) were arrested. While being processed at the police station, one of the suspects admitted they (the three suspects) were responsible for at least five (5) other residential burglaries. The information was turned over to Detective Deanne Nestlerode, who is the lead investigator in this series of crimes. This case is a great example of the outstanding police work provided by personnel assigned to the Field Operations Division.
On January 30 at 11:57 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1200 block of Forest Avenue regarding suspicious circumstances. A witness observed three female juveniles casing a house and the witness called the police. The witness continued to watch the juveniles as they walked onto the property of a nearby residence. The Pasadena Air Support Unit was over the call almost immediately and observed the female juveniles exiting the dwelling. The suspects ran away from the residence; however, they were subsequently detained by Pasadena Police officers. The female suspects were found to be in possession of property stolen from the residence. They were arrested and later transferred to Juvenile Hall. Pasadena Police Officers Victor Ontiveros and David Garcia handled this incident with the assistance of Air Support. The two burglary incidents (North Daisy Avenue and Forest Avenue) were covered in the local media: www.pasadenasun.com/the626now/tn-626-0131-teens-tied-to-two-pasadena-burglaries,0,733755.story.
On January 31 at about 4:00 p.m. Pasadena Police Detective James Deal was in the area of the Rose Bowl – parking lot D - conducting surveillance. Due to several reports of suspicious activity in the Rose Bowl lots, the surveillance was initiated. James observed a subject in the parking lot who appeared to be looking into unoccupied parked vehicles. James continued to watch the subject. Suddenly, the suspect broke out the rear window of a parked vehicle, reached inside, and removed several items. James called for assistance and the suspect was arrested without further incident. The suspect happened to be on parole at the time of his arrest. He was booked at the Pasadena jail.
On February 1 at about 12:12 a.m. Pasadena Police Homicide and FAU (Fugitive Apprehension Unit) detectives arrested a third suspect associated with murder of an adult male on North Mar Vista Avenue, which occurred in August 2011. Detective Ara Bzdigian is the lead investigator. FAU is supervised by Sergeant Victor Alaniz.
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always