Written by AARON CASTREJON

LOS ANGELES - Pasadena police detectives discovered June 19 a major cache of illegal fireworks intended for distribution throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles.

An extensive investigation, with assistance from the Pasadena Fire Department Arson Investigation Team, led detectives to East Los Angeles and a commercial property at 6316 Whittier Blvd. where 10,000 pounds of contraband fireworks were being stored, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Detectives reportedly also found homemade explosives, necessitating a response from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Detail.

Four people were arrested.

“This investigation is ongoing and is believed to be related to a criminal street gang enterprise which smuggles the fireworks from the state of Nevada. The approximate resale value of the fireworks is upwards of $120,000.00,” according to the Pasadena Police Department in a written statement.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A police officer is out of surgery and recovering after being shot by a suspect, city officials said Tuesday.

The officer was identified by the city as Bryan Vasquez, a 5-year veteran of the Pasadena Police Department.

A second victim was struck by gunfire, before the police shooting occurred, and was also hospitalized. The victim’s condition is not publicly known.

First responders were sent to the Sierra Madre Villa A-Line Station at 7:30 p.m. to investigate a 9-1-1 call and found a gunshot victim. Additional responding officers located a suspect near the station, but he attempted escape on foot, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

The suspect and officers exchanged gunfire. The suspect died near Sierra Madre Villa Avenue and Electronic Drive.

“Our officer is out of critical surgery and is stable at this time. We are incredibly grateful to the medical team for their swift and skilled care. Our Pasadena Police Department family, along with our extended public safety community, is standing beside his loved ones, supporting them in every way possible. We know this will be a long road to recovery, but we will remain by his side throughout his healing journey for our officer – a dedicated public servant who put his life on the line to protect the community he serves,” said Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris.

The suspect, who has yet to be officially identified, is only described as a man in his 30s.

The Sierra Madre Villa Station remained closed until mid-morning as investigators documented the scene.

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

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - An investigation is underway after a police officer and suspect exchanged gunfire Monday night.

The officer’s injuries are not publicly known, but as of 8:42 p.m. he was undergoing surgery, according to City of Pasadena officials.

Officers responded to the intersection of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue and Del Vina Street to a report of people fighting around 7:30 p.m., according to City of Pasadena officials.

What led to the shooting is not publicly known.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Investigators have released very clear sketches of the two suspects wanted in the murder of a child who was playing video games in his own home almost four years ago.

The discovery of a partial license plate to a gray Ford Fusion (QJ117) and witness statements provided a treasure trove of information related to the two suspects who are apparently connected to the Pasadena, San Jose and Alameda County areas, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

The suspects are described as:
-A Black male with a medium complexion, 33 to 37 years old, stands 6 feet to 6 feet one inch tall, and weighs 185 to 195 pounds. He wore a red and black The North Face hoodie.

-A Black female with a medium complexion, 27 to 31 years old, stands 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs 165 to 185 pounds. She is the suspected getaway driver.

13-year-old Iran Moreno was shot November 20, 2021. Moreno was harmlessly playing video games in his bedroom in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue. In a parking lot across the street, the gray Ford fusion stopped and a front passenger exited. Two gunshots were fired eastward, one bullet struck the teen, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either suspect is urged to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241 24/7, or homicide investigators directly at 626-744-4583. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A man clad in a security uniform was booked on suspicion of attempted murder in the stabbing of another man near the Sierra Madre Villa station Thursday morning.

What started out as a verbal argument led to a physical altercation and to one of the men being stabbed multiple times. The suspect was quickly arrested by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau.

The incident began at 7:30 a.m. at 149 N. Halstead St.

The victim received multiple stab wounds to his upper torso. He was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital where he was last listed in critical, but stable condition, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“While the suspect was wearing a security guard uniform, it is important to note the suspect was not employed by or contracted with Metro and was utilizing the Metro system for transportation purposes,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Public arrest records show that Transit Services deputies arrested 37-year-old Antonio Olivera and booked him on suspicion of attempted murder. He is being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a schedule appearance in Pasadena Superior Court Monday, April 21.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - The Sierra Madre Villa Station is closed as authorities investigate a stabbing Thursday.

A man is reportedly in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times at the Sierra Madre Villa Station parking structure, 149 N. Halstead Ave., around 7:45 a.m. April 17.

Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau are investigating the crime.

A suspect is reportedly in custody.

Metrolink A Line riders are asked to use the Pasadena Arts line 40 at Allen Station as an alternate route. An alternate station to board the A Line is the Arcadia Station at 1st & Santa Clara, next to REI, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Authorities identified the driver, and was found shot dead behind the wheel of a vehicle in Pasadena March 26.

Ivan Cervantes-Cruz What sound still seated in the driver seat of his white sedan the crash of the 700 block of Rio Grande St., Wednesday around 6:15 p.m. His vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a wall in a residential area. He died at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has yet to provide the official cause of death.

CPR was administered to Cervantes by a Pasadena Police officer until paramedics arrived, but Cervantes could not be revived.

It is unclear if Pasadena Police Robbery/Homicide detectives have identified a suspect, or a motive in the shooting.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Pasadena police department at 626-744-4241. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

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The Medical Examiner record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Death records are public information and are distributed by government sources.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - Pasadena City College police officers reportedly used force to subdue and detain a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a male on a bus October 9.

The suspect reportedly followed the victim after the assault onto the Pasadena City College campus, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. although the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted, he declined medical attention, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau.

The suspect, who was not identified, was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and transported to the Pasadena Police Department jail for booking.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A man who is described as unstable allegedly kidnapped his 4-and-6-year-old nephews and fled with them to Upland Wednesday.

He took the children from the 500 block of Rosemead Boulevard in unincorporated Pasadena August 28. Deputies were able to track the suspect through a cellphone, according to Sgt. Kearney of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The man has no custodial rights to the children. The mother of the children, the suspect’s sister, believed he intended to harm her children, according to the Upland Police Department.

Before the suspect was located in Upland, law enforcement surrounded and searched a residence near Fruit Street and Amherst Street in La Verne, according to Sgt. Figueroa of the La Verne Police Department.

In Upland, the suspect led officers on a pursuit with the children in tow. The chase was over quickly.

“At the conclusion of the pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody and spontaneously stated that he wanted to take the children to Heaven,” according to the Upland Police Department.

The children were unharmed, but were examined as a precaution, according to the Upland Police Department.

Booking records show a Vartan Khoren Gurunian, 34, was arrested at 9:11 p.m. He was booked on suspicion of kidnapping a victim under 14 years of age. He is being held in the Sheriff’s Temple Station jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

PASADENA - A suspect was booked on suspicion of attempted murder Wednesday after a woman was beaten and dragged from a train station onto the 210 freeway.

The shocking assault took place around 5:40 a.m. at the A Line Allen Station August 7. After being punched and knocked down, the woman was dragged away onto the railroad tracks and then the 210 freeway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau.

​The woman was hospitalized in stable condition.

The suspect fled the area, but was arrested by deputies near Allen Avenue and Villa Street.

Los Angeles County booking records show Juan Pablo Flores, 33, was arrested August 7 by Transit Services Bureau deputies. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in the wake of the attack:

“I am outraged to hear of yet another attack on our Metro system. I want to commend the transit deputies who responded quickly and apprehended the suspect. This incident is a perfect example of why we need to urgently address safety issues, not only on the Metro train system, but also at stations.
I expect a full report from Metro on what security measures will be put in place to increase security, especially during early morning commute hours.

“Our Metro Board has already taken some steps to improve public safety, including enforcing fares. But, it’s obvious to me that our Metro system commuters are still confronted with serious safety issues that cannot be ignored.”

Flores is scheduled for an appearance in Pasadena Superior Court Friday, August 9.