Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA – A Los Angeles man and shoplifting suspect was arrested December 19, found with stolen credit cards and drug paraphernalia.
 
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Fair Oaks Avenue to investigate a shoplifting and detained the suspect, 28-year-old Matthew Johnson, nearby. A female accomplice was detained in the 1000 block of Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena Police said.
 
Johnson claimed the credit cards came from a homeless encampment where he lives in Los Angeles.
 
Both Johnson and his accomplice admitted that they steal property to fuel their drug habits, South Pasadena Police said.
 
Johnson was booked on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia and for fraudulent possession of credit cards. The accomplice was later released, South Pasadena Police said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - A Compton man was arrested Tuesday, identified as one of the men who attempted a take over of a South Pasadena jewelry store.

Omar Teriq Bradley, 21, was detained by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies in Compton December 18. He was driving the same Chevrolet Malibu used in the failed December 14 heist, according to the South Pasadena Police Department.

Bradley was the sole occupant detained in the Malibu. He was held by Sheriff’s deputies until South Pasadena officers arrived and arrested him on suspicion of attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, South Pasadena Police said.

Teriq was the man who brandished metal knuckles during the failed heist at Vana Watch and Jewelry, 1401 Mission St.

The second and still outstanding suspect is the man seen in surveillance footage pulling a knife on one of the jewelry store employees before a second employee produced a black handgun, which sent both suspects running.

Anyone with information on the outstanding suspect’s whereabouts is urged to call South Pasadena detectives at 626-403-7280.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - The 79-year-old man missing since Thursday was found dead a day later in a hospital bathroom.

Edward Ng was discovered in a bathroom at 1500 San Pablo Street Friday morning. Ng was pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

The property houses Keck Hospital of USC and Fresenius Medical Care at La County And Usc - Apheresis.

A cause of death has not been determined.

The Los Angeles Police Department does not suspect foul play in Ng’s death.

Ng was last seen at his home around 1 p.m. December 13. He may have taken a ride share service to the County USC/Medical Center area, South Pasadena Police said.

The cell phone Ng carried was likely tuned off, South Pasadena Police said.

Ng required medical attention, but investigators did not specify his medical needs.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - A dramatic scene unfolded Friday morning after two men attempted to rob a jewelry store at knifepoint.
 
The two suspects attempted to rob Vana Watch and Jewelry around 10:54 a.m. The suspects pretended to be interested in some of the front counter items when one of the suspects produced a knife and attempted to stab an employee, according to surveillance footage provided by the South Pasadena Police Department.

​One of the jewelry store employees produced a black handgun and scared off the two men as the intended stabbing victim tried to wrestle the knife away.
 
The suspects fled the store, with at least three employees giving chase on foot.
 
Both suspects then fled in a green Chevy Malibu.
 
Anyone who can identify the suspects is urged to call the South Pasadena Police Department at 626-403-7280, or L.A. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - A resident has not been seen or heard from since Thursday afternoon, police said.

Edward Ng was last seen at his home around 1 p.m. December 13. He may have taken a ride share service to the County USC/Medical Center area, South Pasadena Police said.

The cell phone Ng carries has likely been tuned off, South Pasadena Police said.

Ng requires medical attention.

Ng was last seen wearing dress slacks and an unknown color shirt.

Anyone who knows Ng’s whereabouts is urged to call South Pasadena Police at 626-403-7265.