Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - The suspect sought in an unprovoked assault that led to a woman’s death was found and arrested January 5.

Oscar Villamil, 43, was recognized by deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau. He was seen and detained in the 700 block of South Raymond Avenue around 8:37 a.m. where Pasadena Police took him into custody, Pasadena Police said.

Villamil was officially charged with one count of murder and one count of elder abuse, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Villamil was identified as the suspect in the assault that occurred December 28 in the area of Colorado Boulevard and Arroyo Parkway just before 8 a.m. A man and woman were beaten. The woman suffered fatal injuries and died days after hospitalization, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Pui Gee Ng Lee, an 80-year-old Pasadena resident, was identified as the woman killed. Her husband was treated for minor injuries and released, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

“The investigation revealed that the elderly couple were walking on the sidewalk when the suspect, for unknown reason(s) and without provocation, punched and kicked the male victim and pushed the female victim, causing her to fall and hit her head on the concrete sidewalk,” Pasadena Police said in a written statement.

Villamil, 43, is described as a transient man who was known to frequent the Pasadena area and used the Metro bus and light rail system to keep mobile.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Police are still searching for the suspect accused of assaulting a married couple out on a morning walk December 28.

Oscar Villamil, 43, is accused of assaulting an older couple by punching and kicking them as they set out for their morning walk in the area of Colorado Boulevard and Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena Police said.

“Villamil critically injured one of the victims and the victim is currently hospitalized with life threatening injuries,” according to the Pasadena Police Department in a written statement.

Villamil is Hispanic, stands 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds. He is homeless and is known to frequent Pasadena on the Metro bus and Metro Rail system.

Anyone with information on Villamil’s whereabouts is urged to call Pasadena Police at 626-744-4241. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or at lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A man was hospitalized New Year’s Day after being found with what was described as second and third-degree burns, a Pasadena Police lieutenant said.

The man was found in the vegetation below the La Loma Road bridge near South Arroyo Boulevard After officers were called to the scene around 7:42 a.m. January 1, according to Lt, Anthony Burgess of the Pasadena Police Department.

A person near the bridge called officers after hearing a person moaning in the vegetation below the bridge, Burgess told SGV CityWatch.

It is unclear how the man received the burns and police are still trying to discover the details.

The man was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, Burgess told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Two firefighters received minor injuries after attacking a blaze that displaced 50 residents and an apartment complex December 18.

The fire burned at 1127 E. Del Mar Blvd. Friday night. Five units were damaged by fire and five units received water damage, according to the City of Pasadena.

The three-alarm fire was dispatched to firefighters at 10:41 p.m., according to Pasadena Fire Department.

Firefighters remained on scene for nearly 12 hours during the investigation.

The 50 displaced residents reportedly were able to seek temporary shelter with nearby family and friends, the City of Pasadena said.

The injured firefighters were briefly hospitalized.

The cause is under investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Police announced the arrest of a man  investigators quickly identified as a suspect in the murder of a Glendale woman whose body was found at Hahamonga Watershed Park.

Pasadena resident Adrian Robert Casey, 26, was located and detained by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department near Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is awaiting extradition, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Casey, a parolee, is accused of stabbing to death Elena Ledford, 49. A jogger happened upon Ledford’s body the morning of November 24. Casey and Ledford were acquainted, but investigators declined to specify how the two knew each other.

Casey apparently left California shortly after the killing, Pasadena Police said.

Investigators stated Ledford was killed in a parking lot at La Cañada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Dr., which is across the road from where her body was found.

Pasadena investigators are in New Mexico to continue their investigation.

Ledford worked for Pasadena-based organization Union Station Homeless Services for the last three years.

A murder charge was filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“Elena was more than a beloved employee and coworker, she was a member of our Union Station Family. We are thankful for the support of law enforcement agencies in their investigation of Elena’s death. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Ledford Family for this unfathomable loss, and we are thinking of Elena’s parents, daughter, sister, and her friends and family during this terrible time,” according to a statement issued by Union Station Homeless Services.

Ledford leaves behind a 14-year-old daughter.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - The triple shooting at a Pasadena Park Tuesday night claimed a second victim, police announced.

A third shooting victim remains in critical, but stable condition, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

It is believed that all three victims were sitting on a bench adjacent to the soccer field at Villa Parke, 363 E. Villa St., in the northeast corner of the park when gunfire rang out just before 3 p.m. December 1.

It is unclear how many suspects were involved in the shooting. A dark-colored sedan was seen leaving the area.

One victim died at the scene. The two others were taken to a hospital where one victim was declared dead, Pasadena Police said.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call Pasadena Police at 626-744-4241. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or through lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A triple shooting at Villa Parke left one dead at the scene and two others hospitalized, authorities said.

Officers found three shooting victims just before 3 p.m. at the park, 363 E. Villa St., December 1.

No suspect description is publicly available, although authorities believe a dark-colored sedan may be connected to the crime.

Police asked the public to avoid the area of Villa Street, Parke Street and Los Robles Avenue during the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Police are investigating a suspicious death after a woman’s body was found at Hahamonga Watershed Park November 24.

The body displayed trauma, but police have not specified if that trauma was accidental, suicide, or something else, despite the death being deemed suspicious in nature.

A jogger discovered the body at the park, 4550 Oak Grove Dr., around 7:50 a.m.

The victim is possibly a woman in her 40s. There is no immediate word on how long the body may have been at the park before being discovered.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A motive is still sought in a shooting that killed a Pasadena man Friday the 13th.

The victim is Ernesto Jimenez, 27. He was identified by Sarah Ardalani, public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Shots rang out around 8:09 p.m. in the 200 block of Parke Street. Officers found Jimenez unresponsive on the sidewalk and attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Investigators believe Jimenez was walking south on the sidewalk when one or more suspects shot at him.

Jimenez was hit numerous times in the upper torso and attempted to run, but he collapsed, Pasadena Police said.

Detectives are following up on multiple leads.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call Pasadena Police at 626-744-4241. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or at lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A portion of Orange Grove Boulevard will be closed for at least two hours Sunday morning after a crash killed one occupant and sent another to a hospital.

The crash occurred around 3 a.m. at East Orange Grove Blvd. and North Craig Ave., November 15. A 23-year-old woman died at the scene. A 26-year-old man was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to Lt. Sean Dawkins of the Pasadena Police Department.

The vehicle struck a light pole. No other vehicles were involved, Dawkins told SGV CityWatch.

Investigators are still determining the cause of the crash, Dawkins told SGV CityWatch.

Orange Grove from Oak Avenue to Craig Avenue will be closed in both directions.