Full Notification

On Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at approximately 11:00 P.M., South Pasadena Police responded to the 1200 block of Fair Oaks Avenue in response to a shoplifting that had just occurred. A male adult matching the description of the suspect was found a few blocks away. A female accomplice was found in the 1000 block of Fremont Avenue a short time later.

While conducting the investigation, South Pasadena Police officers found the in possession of drug paraphernalia and credit cards that did not belong to him in various names. The suspect said he found the credit cards in the homeless encampment where he lives in the City of Los Angeles. Both suspects admitted to officers they frequently steal items from stores to support their drug addictions.

The male suspect was identified as Matthew Johnson, a 28-year old resident of Los Angeles. He was arrested for the possession of drug paraphernalia and the fraudulent possession of the credit cards. The female accomplice was later released.

Now that the holiday season is here, the frequency of these types of thefts will rise. Please help your neighbors and community by always remembering, “If you see something, say something and we will do something.”

If there are any further questions, please contact Corporal Craig Phillips at 626-403-7297.