March 3-9, 2010

(Hundred block given in place of exact address)

The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.

STOLEN VEHICLE

• 3-9-10, 7:10 PM, 1600 block of Fremont. ’05, Honda Civic. Victim has vehicle for sale and allows suspect to test drive vehicle. Suspect does not return with vehicle. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, Asian, 5′9″, wearing white polo shirt and blue jeans.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 3-5-10, 9 PM to 3-6-10, 8:30 AM, 1700 block of Mission (storage unit). Suspect(s) pry hasp lock off to gain entry. LOSS: Christmas decorations, clothes, misc. papers.
• 3-3-10, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, 1700 block of Hill. Suspect(s) enter through an opened rear window. LOSS: (2) laptops and bottle of champagne.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 3-7-10, 2 PM to 3-9-10, 6 AM, 900 block of Magnolia. ’97, Honda Civic. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.

FALSE INFO TO OFFICER

• 3-3-10, 6 PM, Orange Grove/110 fwy. Officers respond to subjects selling shirts on the freeway off-ramp. Suspects provide false information to officers and also do not possess city permit. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 22, Los Angeles.

DUI

• 3-9-10, 6:23 PM, Orange Grove/Mission. Suspect is involved in a traffic collision and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 60, South Pasadena.
• 3-6-10, 1:59 AM, Fair Oaks/Rollin. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 21, Glendale.
• 3-5-10, 1:37 AM, Orange Grove/Charter Oak. Suspect is passed out behind the wheel of vehicle with the engine running when officers arrive. Suspect is found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 26, Arcadia.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC

• 3-6-10, 3:56 PM, 800 block of Park. Officers respond to a person stumbling along the sidewalk. Officers contact suspect who is intoxicated and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 48, Transient.
• 3-6-10, 2:58 AM, 200 block of Fair Oaks. Officer sees suspect passed out in vehicle. Officer investigates suspect’s condition and suspect becomes belligerent. Suspect is found to be intoxicated and combative. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 34, Monterey Park.
• 3-3-10, 9:27 PM, Meridian/Kendall. Officers respond to a person passed out on the sidewalk. Officers contact suspect who is intoxicated and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 51, Los Angeles.
• 3-2-10, 10:42 PM, Hawthorne/Pasadena. Officers respond to juveniles on the roof of a vacant building. Officers contact two suspects who are intoxicated and arrested. SUSPECTS ARRESTED: S1 – Male, Juvenile. S2 – Female, 18, Los Angeles.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA

• 3-8-10, 5:37 PM, Huntington/Kendall. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and is found to be in possession of marijuana. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 35, Los Angeles.

THEFT

• 3-6-10, 7 PM to 3-7-10, 11 AM, 200 block of Hillside. Suspect(s) enter victim’s unlocked vehicle. Suspect(s) takes loss and damages passenger mirror. LOSS: Clothes and alcohol.
• 3-3-10, 2:05 AM, 1800 block of State (apartment complex). Victim is awakened by loud noises coming from the courtyard area. Victim goes outside and sees three suspects by the pond area holding a bucket. Suspects leave with bucket as victim attempts to talk to suspects. The bucket and a Koi fish are found in the driveway. LOSS: Koi fish (recovered). SUSPECTS DESCRIPTION: (3) Male, Blacks, wearing black hooded sweatshirt and a mask covering nose and mouth.

IDENTITY THEFT/CHECK FRAUD/CREDIT CARD FRAUD

• November 2008 to 3-4-10, 1100 block of Marengo. Suspect(s) uses victim’s personal information to open two school loans.

Feb. 24–March 2, 2010

(Hundred block given in place of exact address)

The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE

• 3-1-10, 8 PM, 4000 block of Collis. ’06, Ford E150. Officer is alerted to a stolen vehicle by the Automated License Plate Reader. Officer stops vehicle and suspect is arrested without incident. Vehicle is found to be stolen from Lynwood. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 34, Los Angeles.
• 2-27-10, 2 AM, 600 block of Fair Oaks. ’05, Cadillac SRX. Officers attempt to stop suspect vehicle for a traffic violation, but fails to yield. Suspect leads officers on a vehicle pursuit before pulling over on Avenue 58, Los Angeles. Suspect flees on foot and officers attempt to contain suspect. Because of rainy weather, officers are unable to locate suspect. Vehicle is found to be stolen from South Pasadena on 2-21-10. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, Hispanic, 25, shaved head and wearing a light colored shirt.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 8-2-09 to 2-1-10, 1700 block of Virginia Place. Suspect(s) enter by unknown means. LOSS: Jewelry and flatware.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY/SHOPLIFT

• 2-24-10, 3:15 PM, 1200 block of Fair Oaks (Pavilions). Suspects enter store and takes loss, then exit store without paying. LOSS: Beer. SUSPECTS DESCRIPTION: S1 – Male, Hispanic, 17-21 years, heavyset, wearing blue checkered shorts and a gray and black sweatshirt. S2 – Male, Hispanic, 17-21 years, mustache, wearing white t-shirt, blue jeans and black baseball cap.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 2-26-10, 9:30 PM to 2-27-10, 9 AM, 1200 block of Blair. ’09, Toyota SUV. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.

ROBBERY

• 2-27-10, 3:25 PM, 800 block of Fair Oaks (Radio Shack). Suspects enter store and points gun at employee, then demands money. Employee complies and opens register and suspects take loss, and then run away. LOSS: Cash. WEAPON USED: Black, semi-auto pistol. SUSPECTS DESCRIPTION: S1 – Male, Black, 509, 170, 20 years, wearing hooded, black sweatshirt and blue jeans. S2 – Female, Black, 14-18 years, 502, 100, wearing a multi-colored sweatshirt with hood and yellow sweatpants.

FALSE INFO TO OFFICER

• 3-1-10, 5:35 PM, Huntington/Maple. Suspect is a passenger in a vehicle that is stopped for a traffic violation. The driver was arrested for having no driver’s license and outstanding warrants. Suspect gives officers false information to hide his identity. Officers discover true identity of suspect, which reveals an outstanding warrant, a suspended driver’s license and on probation. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 40, Alhambra.

DUI

• 2-28-10, 3:30 AM, 1200 block of Fair Oaks. Witness is driving behind suspect and sees suspect weaving in traffic lanes. Witness calls police and officers locate suspect. Suspect is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and arrested. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 45, South Pasadena.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC

• 3-2-10, 8 PM, 500 block of El Centro. Officers respond to a subject sleeping on victim’s front porch. Subject is contacted and found to be intoxicated and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 40, Transient.
• 2-28-10, 1:47 AM, 400 block of Fair Oaks. Officers sees suspect staggering and found to intoxicated, and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 35, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
• 2-28-10, 11 PM, 700 block of Mission. Officers respond to a subject yelling at pedestrians. Upon arrival, officers locate subject sleeping on a walkway of a business. Subject is found to be intoxicated and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 42, Inglewood.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA

• 3-2-10, 3 PM, Huntington/Bushnell. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and is found to be in possession of marijuana. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 29, Los Angeles.
• 3-1-10, 1:20 PM, Huntington/Fremont. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and officer smells an odor of marijuana coming from driver. Driver is found to be in possession of marijuana. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 18, Cathedral City.

SOLICITING WITH NO PERMIT

• 2-26-10, 1 PM, 1200 block of Huntington. Officers respond to a subject going door-to-door soliciting magazines subscription. Officers locate subject and subject does not have required city permit. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 23, Harbor, Wash.

THEFT

• 3-1-10, 8 AM to 8:03 AM, 300 block of Raymondale (apartment complex). Victim is carrying numerous items to apartment unit, which requires several trips. Victim leaves loss on staircase landing during one trip and suspect takes unattended loss. LOSS: Case containing digital camera, flash and (2) lens.

VANDALISM

• 2-25-10, 11 AM to 2:40 PM, 1800 block of Hardison Place. Suspect(s) punch a small hole in victim’s bathroom window, but no entry was made.

• Sometimes there’s a fine line between news and advertising. Sometimes that line gets trampled.
• The death of SPHS student Aydin Salek prompts a bill proposal from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino that would “grant immunity from criminal prosecution to teenagers who seek emergency medical attention for someone possibly suffering from alcohol poisoning.”
• State Assemblyman Mike Eng pushes Caltrans to sell all the homes along the aboveground 710 route. It’s an odd about-face from the guy who opposed Portantino’s bill last year, which kinda would of done the same thing.
• iamnotastalker.com, well, stalks Kaldi’s.
• Via The Source: “Full-time students attending Pasadena City College (PCC) will soon be eligible to receive heavily discounted Metro passes – $30 for unlimited travel on all Metro bus and rail lines for an entire semester. Part of Metro’s I-Pass program, this new partnership will bring affordable transit to 8,800 community college students.”

Feb. 17-23, 2010

(Hundred block given in place of exact address)

The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.

STOLEN VEHICLE

• 2-21-10, 7:25 AM to 7:35 AM, 200 block of St. Albans. ’05, Cadillac SRX.

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE

• 2-22-10, 6:50 PM, 800 block of Magnolia. ’91, Acura Integra. Officers respond to smoke coming from a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers discover vehicle stolen from LAPD Rampart area.
• 2-22-10, 6:10 PM, 400 block of Raymondale. ’93, Acura Integra. Automated License Plate Reader alerts officer to a stolen vehicle and vehicle is found parked on the street. Vehicle was stolen from LAPD Hollenbeck.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 2-10-10, 12 PM to 2-22-10, 5 PM, 1400 block of Oneonta Knoll. Suspect(s) gains entry by unknown means. Suspect(s) later uses debit card to make an unauthorized purchase. LOSS: Cash, jewelry, watches, debit card and ’06, Mini Cooper from garage.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY

• 2-20-10, 12 PM, 900 block of Fair Oaks (Rite Aid). Employee sees suspect enter store and take loss. Suspect then exits store without paying for loss. Employee detains suspect and suspect is arrested. LOSS: Misc. items. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 36, Pasadena.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 2-22-10, 8 PM to 2-23-10, 1:30 PM, 200 block of St. Albans. ’97, Toyota 4-Runner. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS and cash.
• 2-22-10, 9 PM to 2-23-10, 10 AM, ’06, 1000 block of Adelaine. Hyundai Sonata. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS and DVD pouch.
• 2-22-10, 7:30 PM to 10:20 PM, 1300 block of Indiana. ’01, Toyota. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.
• 2-18-10, 12 PM to 2-19-10, 1000 block of Highland. ’06, Chevy Silverado. Suspect(s) pries out window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS and (2) Endoscopes.
• 2-16-10, 4 PM to 2-18-10, 5 PM, 1700 block of Grevelia. ’97, Honda Civic. Suspect(s) makes entry by unknown means. LOSS: Stereo.
• 2-16-10, 7 PM to 2-17-10, 7 AM, 1600 block of Amberwood. ’07, Mazda. Suspect(s) pries window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS, I-pod, camera and laptop computer.

ASSAULTS

• 2-19-10, 12:50 PM, 1400 block of Fremont (South Pasadena High School). Weeks ago, victim gets into an argument with sister. Victim goes to restroom and is confronted by three suspects who claim retaliation from sister, and hit and then cut victim. SUSPECTS DESCRIPTION: (2) Female, Hispanics and (1) Female, Black.

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

• 2-22-10, 2 AM, Fair Oaks/Mission. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 22, South Pasadena.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA

• 2-23-10, 11 PM, 800 block of Stoney (Arroyo Park). Suspect is found parked inside Arroyo Park after hours. Suspect is contacted and found to be in possession of marijuana. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 22, San Diego.

SOLICITING WITH NO PERMIT

• 2-11-10, 2 PM, Alhambra Road/Fletcher. Suspect is contacted regarding selling fruit from the sidewalk. Suspect did not possess a city permit and arrested. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, Juvenile.

NIGHT TIME CURFEW

• 2-21-10, 2:50 AM to 4 AM, Kendall/Huntington. Officer contacts subject on the street. Subject is found to be a minor and out after curfew hours. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, juvenile.

THEFT

• 2-21-10, 4:45 PM, 1600 block of Garfield (YMCA parking lot). Honda Accord. Suspect enters victim’s unlocked vehicle. Victim returns to vehicle and sees suspect sitting inside. Suspect sees victim and quickly exits vehicle and denies being inside of vehicle. Victim calls police and suspect runs away. LOSS: None. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, 50, dark hair, medium build, 510, and wearing dark clothing.

Feb. 10-16, 2010
(Hundred block given in place of exact address)
The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.


RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 2-11-10, 9:35 AM to 1:20 PM, 700 block of Sterling. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Laptop computer, digital cameras, watches and cash.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY

• 2-11-10, 12:30 AM, 1100 block of Fair Oaks (Blockbusters). Suspect(s) smashes glass door window to gain entry, activating alarm. Suspect(s) takes loss and leaves. LOSS: Blu-Ray DVD player. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, White, wearing ski mask, black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 2-13-10, 7 PM to 2-14-10, 8:21 AM, 600 block of Forrest. ’94, Ford Explorer. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Backpack.
• 1-31-10, midnight to 2-7-10, 1:39 PM, 300 block of Camino Del Sol. ’01, Chrysler. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Camera monitor.

ASSAULTS

• 2-16-10, 10:30 AM, 1900 block of Fremont (Almansor Center). Suspect and victim are students. Suspect throws book at victim, striking victim in the head.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA

• 2-10-10, 3:15 PM, 1100 block of Huntington. Suspects are stopped for a traffic violation and driver is found to have several outstanding warrants and arrested. Passenger in the vehicle is found to be in possession of marijuana, and a search of the vehicle also reveals marijuana and methamphetamine. SUSPECTS ARRESTED: S1 – Male, 21, Baldwin Park. S2 – Male, 18, Los Angeles.

SOLICITING WITH NO PERMIT

• 2-13-10, 6:30 PM, 1600 block of Spruce. Suspect is contacted for soliciting door to door without a permit. Suspect attempts to walk away and resists arrests. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 19, St. Louis, Missouri.

DUI

• 2-16-10, 4:15 PM, Montrose/Garfield. Suspect is involved in a traffic collision with two parked vehicles and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 46, San Gabriel.
• 2-15-10, 3:18 AM, Fremont/Maple. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 22, Los Angeles.

THEFT

• 2-14-10, 1 PM to 4 PM, 1700 block of State. Suspect(s) enters victim’s unlocked vehicle and takes loss. LOSS: Portable GPS.
• 2-12-10, 6:49 AM, 1000 block of Milan. Officers respond to a subject attempting to gain entry into a locked vehicle with a wire hanger. Suspect is found to have locked keys inside his own vehicle. Officers find several stolen items near suspect and discover suspect entered four unlocked vehicles. Suspect is also found to have mail taken from victims in other cities. LOSS: Bags, coins, book bags and mail (recovered). SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 22, La Habra.
• 2-10-10, 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM, 1000 block of Stratford. Suspect(s) enters victim’s unlocked vehicle and takes loss. LOSS: Laptop computer.
• 2-7-10, 9:45 PM to 2-8-10, 8 AM, 800 block of Orange Grove. Suspect(s) enters victim’s unlocked vehicle’s trunk and takes loss. LOSS: Snowboarding gear, clothes and laptop computer.

IDENTITY THEFT/CREDIT CARD/CHECK FRAUD

• 2-14-10, 1100 block of Glendon Court. Suspect(s) uses victim’s personal information to open six credit card accounts.

Feb. 3-9, 2010
(Hundred block given in place of exact address)
The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.
RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE

• 2-6-10, 1:34 PM, 1900 block of La Fremontia. ’99, Honda Civic. Officer investigates a suspicious vehicle parked on the street and discovers it is stolen from LAPD Hollenbeck area.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 2-9-10, 7:50 AM to 7:45 PM, 1400 block of Stratford (rear detached guest house). Suspect(s) gains entry by placing a ladder to get to an opened second floor window. LOSS: Laptop computer.
• 2-5-10, 10:30 PM, 600 block of Orange Grove (hot prowl). Victim is asleep and is awakened by noises coming from daughter’s bedroom. Victim walks to daughter’s bedroom and opens the door. Victim sees bedroom ransacked and suspect standing in bedroom. Suspect runs to opened bedroom window with loss in attempt to flee. Victim is able to grab loss from suspect’s hand as suspect jumps out the window. Bedroom window was later found to be partially opened as the point of entry for the suspect. LOSS: Laptop computer (recovered by victim). SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, White, 507, 220, light colored hair, wearing black sweat pants and black sweater.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY

• 2-6-10, 10:30 PM, 1200 block of Fair Oaks (Pavilions). Employee sees suspect enter store and take loss. Suspect then walks out of store without paying for loss. LOSS: Liquor. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, Hispanic, 22 years, 505, 150, wearing blue jeans and blue jacket.
• 2-4-10, 11:25 AM, 600 block of Fair Oaks (Bristol Farms). Suspect enters store and hides loss in pockets, then exits store without paying. Suspect walks and enters a parked vehicle. LOSS: Knife and spatula. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, White, 602, 240, wearing dark sweater and blue jeans. SUSPECT VEHICLE: ‘08, Silver, BMW.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 2-6-10, 10:30 PM to 2-7-10, 9 AM, 700 block of Adelaine. ’08, Chevy Malibu. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.
• 2-6-10, 8 PM to 2-7-10, 8 AM, 200 block of Grace. ’00, Lexus ES300. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.
• 2-6-10, 7:50 PM, 200 block of Camino Del Sol. ’05, Honda Civic. Victim hears a loud noise outside and looks outside window. Victim sees suspect walk to a waiting vehicle and drive away. Victim discovers that suspect smashed window to gain entry and took loss. LOSS: Portable GPS. SUSPECT VEHICLE: Dark, colored sedan. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Unknown male.
• 2-5-10, 3 PM to 2-6-10, 11:25 AM, 1100 block of Lyndon. ’07, Honda Civic. Suspect(s) makes entry by unknown means. LOSS: Golf clubs/bag, glasses, blue tooth ear piece and power cord.
• 2-3-10, 7:40 AM to 6 PM, 800 block of Columbia. ’09, Toyota Corolla. Suspect(s) smashes window to gain entry. LOSS: Portable GPS.

ASSAULTS

• 2-7-10, 12:30 AM, 400 block of Fair Oaks. Victim one and victim two exit restaurant and enter vehicle when victim one is approached by a friend. Victim one exits vehicle and talks to friend as victim two is seated in the passenger seat. Victim one is then approached by suspects who start to hit victim one. Suspects accuse victim of a prior rape, then walk over and pull victim two out of vehicle and hit victim two. Suspects then enter a vehicle and drive away. SUSPECTS DESCRIPTION: (3), Female, Hispanic.

POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA

• 2-8-10, 2:25 AM, 200 block of Fair Oaks. Suspect is stopped for pushing a shopping cart on the street. Suspect is found to be in possession of narcotic paraphernalia. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 47, Pasadena.

FALSE REGISTRATION

• 2-8-10, 9:42 PM, Alhambra/Curtis. Suspect is stopped for having false registration tabs on vehicle. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 19, Alhambra.
• 2-3-10, 6 PM, Pasadena/Monterey. Suspect is stopped for having false registration tabs on vehicle. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 41, Alhambra.
• 2-3-10, 5:04 PM, Huntington/Main. Suspect is stopped for having false registration tabs on vehicle. Suspect is also found to have no driver’s license. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 53, Pasadena.
• 2-3-10, 4 PM, Huntington/Primrose. Suspect is stopped for having false registration tabs on vehicle. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 35, Los Angeles.

SOLICITING WITH NO PERMIT

• 2-3-10, 3:43 PM, 1600 block of Lyndon. Officers respond to a subject soliciting door to door with no permit. Subject is contacted and found not to have a city permit. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 18, Detroit.

DUI

• 2-3-10, 1 AM, 200 block of San Pascual. Suspect is stopped for a traffic violation and found to be under the influence of alcohol while driving. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 24, Los Angeles.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC

• 2-4-10, 7:27 PM, 400 block of Magnolia. Officers respond to a subject possibly drunk on the street. Officers locate subject and is found to be intoxicated and unable to care for himself. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 28, Transient.

THEFT

• 2-3-10 to 2-6-10, 600 block of Camino Cerrado. Suspect calls victim claiming to be son-in-law and needs victim to wire money because he was arrested in Canada. Victim wires money to Canada and suspect calls several more times asking to be wired additional money to Canada. Victim gets suspicious and calls son-in-law who denied being in Canada.
• 2-4-10, 9:30 AM to 12 PM, Mission/Meridian (Gold Line Station). Suspect(s) cuts lock securing loss to bike rack. LOSS: Bicycle.

IDENTITY THEFT/CREDIT CARD/CHECK FRAUD

• 1-28-10 to 2-5-10, 1600 block of Lyndon. Suspect deposits checks into victim’s account and immediately withdrawals cash.

I’d like to thank those of you who got in touch with me. And I heard roughly the same story enough that it’s worth posting. The South Pasadena Review already wrote that Joe Payne, a reserve officer for the South Pasadena Police Department, said he was approached by David Sifuentes months ago about the police chief position. I haven’t heard a bad thing about Payne. He’s well-liked among the ranks, and he worked for the SPPD for 35 years before he retired two years ago. The South Pasadena Police Officers Assn. maybe thinks he’d push for pay hikes. That helps to make sense of Mike Ten’s presentation, which implied South Pasadena is the deadliest place on Earth for a cop. That’s an assertion that seems to contradict the recently released Uniform Crime Report showing (yet another) significant drop in crime under Chief Dan Watson’s leadership.

Payne isn’t entirely without baggage. According to the L.A. Times, he’s one of six who sued the city after being demoted in the wake of scandals that plagued the department in the late 1990s. There’s nothing to suggest he was a bad cop, it’s just that when former Chief Michael Berkow came in to clean house, he thought there were too many cooks in the kitchen.

Anyhoo, here’s what I’m hearing is raising the hackles of residents:

• The perceived arrogance of council members who plan the ouster of — and the successor to — the city’s police chief behind closed doors.
• Elected officials who are giving the appearance of ignoring their constituency in favor of deep-pocketed campaign donors.

Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. If I got something wrong, please let me know via comments or email. Ditto if I got something right.

If you’re interested, there’s a fluff piece on Payne after the jump. It was in the April 2009 El Pueblo newsletter, which is “The publication of the All City Employees Benefits Service Association.” The full 24-page newsletter is here as a pdf, but it’s big and not much worth the bother. And yes, there are typos (um, South Pass?), but I’m too tired to clean it up.

Men like Retired Police Lieutenant Joseph Payne are spoken of in tall-tale form. “Stalwart” and “workhorse” comes to mind as does the simple elegance of “dedication.”

To have the esteemed record Joe enjoys, one has to have the qualities listed above. In short, to achieve a thirty-five year career as a police officer, where never once has a day of work been missed, a person needs the stuff Joe has.

And what is that stuff? Easy: it’s called heart.

Of course, as one can expect, Joe modestly qualifies his success: “I never went AWOL,” which indirectly means Joe never irresponsibly left his position. Sure, he may have called in sick once in a while, or missed a day or two for other uncompromising reasons. But Joe never simply left a day’s work without explanation, and in 35 years, that says something.

By and large, Joe, who has worked as a background investigator with the Los Angeles Police Department for the last six years, existed as an agent of dependability

while with his former long-term employer, the South Pasadena Police Department. Regularly, he picked up shifts for other officers who for various reasons could not make it into work.

“Ours (South Pasadena) was a small police force. So when one guy called in sick, it affected almost everything.”

A 1972 graduate of both Pasadena Community College and then Rio Hondo Police Academy, Joe’s career as an officer began as a Police Explorer, then after the academy and the rigorous training involved there, at 21, he became a full fledged cop.

During the following three-and-a-half decades, the Temple City native worked virtually every division South Pass had to offer: from beat cop to detective, watch commander to training officer, Joe had done it all with the force up until 55 when he voluntarily retired.

He credits his prolific career with SPPD with the diminutive size of the force. By contrast, LAPD is a much larger and different entity.

Joe is no longer a cop. He now recruits individuals who he believes would best suit the role of a cop. Undoubtedly if Joe’s recruitment skills hold fast, and if his number of successful recruits stays on track, he will be instrumental in the LAPD achieving the 10,000 police officers Mayor Villaraigosa proposed for the City.

Of course as a recruiter, Joe’s stellar record undoubtedly comes into play, particularly for his experience and understanding of the psyche a police officer should have in a city like Los Angeles.

When asked what makes a good cop today, Joe responds, “They have to be curious, understanding and tolerant.”

Are the recruits much different today than years ago when he started?

“They’re older,” he states, citing the economy as one reason the hiring landscape has changed for the LAPD. “Many more are professionals.” In that, Joe brings to light that not only does he meet individuals who were once in finance and real estate, but he even sees people with law degrees.

All this hedges toward situations where an older age group now seeks the stability found in a law enforcement career. And to this end, Joe’s plate is full. At the time of this interview, he was in the midst of reviewing twelve cases, six of which seemed promising. And that’s only the tip of the hiring iceberg for the LAPD.

On occasion, Joe is a volunteer police officer with his old South Pasadena force. But when asked if he would perform the same duty for the Los Angeles Police Department, his “no” is emphatic.

Granted, he loves the work, but the size and intensity of Los Angeles is, at this time in his life, not his cup of tea. As is, recruitment has its own set of challenges, particularly in regard to generational differences from today’s recruits and when Joe himself was a recruit.

But even so, Joe maintains a good cop knows no age boundaries.

“The reasons are all the same. It’s fascinating work. They (a good cop) want to help. They want to make a difference. Hopefully during the training process you find good ones and get rid of the bad ones.”

And who should know better than a 35-year vet who has never missed a day. 

Dan Watson

The Pasadena Star-News says Chief Watson still plans to retire, in spite of the strong support he’s received from the community.

To put this whole thing in perspective, Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr announced his resignation in November. Why? Maybe it had something to do with an FBI investigation into civil-rights violations by the department. Maybe it was the public suicide of one of his officers. Maybe it was the scores of current and former officers who cast a vote of no confidence in their chief. And Stehr got a party when he left.

Now let’s look at why Watson is retiring. There aren’t any investigations. Crime is down more than 20 percent since he took the job. Five years before his hiring, the South Pas Police Department was making news for covering up hit-and-runs and screwing on duty. Quite a turnaround. He has strong public support, but members of the city council, backed by the South Pasadena Police Officer’s Assn., are asking for a review of the police department.

If somebody knows why, I’d love to hear it.

We continue to see door-to-door solicitors selling newspapers and magazine subscriptions. These solicitors are often young teenagers who sometimes say they are from the local school. Most annoying is that solicitors will come at all hours of the day, even late at night. Burglars may also pose as a door-to-door solicitor to see if anyone is home and if they receive no answer, will go to the side or rear of the house to look for a way in.

Remember that South Pasadena Municipal Code 10.2, requires all door-to-door solicitors to have a city permit. Each solicitor must have it in their possession, so always ask to see it. If a solicitor cannot show you a permit, politely refuse and close the door, then immediately call the police. Here are some other tips to remember:

• Hours of solicitation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
• In addition to asking to see a city permit, ask to see their employment identification.
• If you make a purchase, always get an address and phone number of the organization so you can verify the company.
• No person younger than 16 is permitted to solicit money for non-profit or religious causes.
• You can call the city’s Licensing Department at 626-403-7257 during normal business hours to verify a city permit.
• Don’t give into any high pressure sales pitch.
• Never let a solicitor inside your house.

Full police report after the jump.

Jan. 27–Feb. 2, 2010
(Hundred block given in place of exact address)
The Weekly Crime Summary is a list of reported auto thefts, burglaries, robberies and other activities occurring in the City of South Pasadena. An alert and well-informed citizen makes you less of a target to a criminal. Remember; call the South Pasadena Police Department to report any suspicious activity.
STOLEN VEHICLE

• 2-1-10, 12 PM to 5:30 PM, Oliver/Orange Grove. ’88, Toyota pick-up.
• 1-29-10, 11 PM to 1-30-10, 9:30 AM, 300 block of Camino Del Sol. ’97, Honda Accord.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• 1-26-10, 12 PM to 2-1-10, 6 PM, 500 block of Arroyo (garage). Suspect(s) smash a window to gain entry. LOSS: Power and hand tools.
• 2-1-10, 7:30 AM to 4 PM, 1900 block of Alhambra. Suspect(s) smashes a rear window to gain entry. LOSS: Laptop computer, jewelry and watches.
• 1-30-10, 2 PM to 4:30 PM, 1100 block of Pine. Suspect(s) find hidden key to gain entry. LOSS: Unknown.
• 1-29-10, 1 AM, 1100 block of Windsor. Suspect is related to victim, but no longer allowed in the residence. Suspect enters through an unlocked rear door and takes loss. Suspect is later found walking at Arroyo Park and is arrested. LOSS: Keys. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 41, South Pasadena.

AUTO BURGLARY

• 1-27-10, 7 PM to 7:50 PM, 1100 block of Fair Oaks. ’08, Chevy Malibu. Suspect(s) enter by unknown means. LOSS: Laptop computer.

ASSAULTS

• 2-1-10, 1:30 PM, 700 block of Magnolia. Suspect and witness were involved in a relationship, but no longer are together. Suspect goes to witness’s residence to retrieve property, where suspect once lived. Victim is related to witness and gets into a verbal argument with suspect, which escalates into a physical altercation.

SOLICITING WITH NO PERMIT

• 2-2-10, 8 PM, 1600 block of Lyndon. Officers respond to a subject soliciting door to door with no permit. Subject is contacted and found not to have a city permit. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 32, Hazelcrest, Ill.
• 2-2-10, 7:55 PM, 2000 block of Primrose. Officers respond to a subject soliciting door to door with no permit. Subject is contacted and found not to have a city permit. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 22, Russellville, Ariz.
• 2-2-10, 5 PM, 700 block of Meridian. Officers respond to a subject soliciting door to door with no permit. While officer is citing subject, subject attempts to grab license back, then attempts to run away. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Female, 28, Tulsa, Okla.

DUI

• 1-31-10, 1:47 AM, Fremont/Huntington. Suspect is stopped for driving on a flat and torn tire for several blocks, and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 30, Arcadia.
• 1-30-10, 2:15 AM, Huntington/Fremont. Suspect is stopped for a traffic collision and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 37, Tujunga.
• 1-28-10, 6:34 PM, Fair Oaks/Oxley. Suspect is involved in a hit and run traffic collision and found to be under the influence of alcohol. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 36, Los Angeles.
• 1-27-10, 2:28 AM, Orange Grove/Mission. Suspect is found asleep behind the wheel of vehicle while parked near the curb, with the engine on. Suspect is found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested. SUSPECT ARRESTED: Male, 36, South Pasadena.

THEFT

• 1-26-10, 3:30 PM, 700 block of Fair Oaks (Estate Jewelers). Suspect purchases loss with a check. Employees later discover victim’s checking account was closed. LOSS: Jewelry.

IDENTITY THEFT/CREDIT CARD/CHECK FRAUD

Unknown date/time to 1-28-10, 600 block of Prospect. Suspect(s) gains access to victim’s credit card account and makes an unauthorized charge.

At approximately 1:08 p.m. northbound Metro Gold Line train and auto collided at Glenarm crossing north of Mission Station. Car overturned and is currently blocking both tracks. One person in the auto reported injured. Southbound trains turning back from Del Mar and northbound trains turning back at Mission.

So far, no injuries have been reported from Gold Line passengers. *Update: “One male in the auto was transported to a local hospital; two passengers from the train were treated at the scene and released.”