Off-duty chief aids in arrest
An off-duty police chief chased down and detained a 31-year-old local man yesterday after the suspect crashed into a drainage culvert on Highway 101 and fled the scene.
California Highway Patrol officials said Gustavo Rodriguez had been driving a tan Toyota Camry when he swerved to the right for unknown reasons, crashing the vehicle on northbound lanes just north of Salinas Street.
Following the collision, off-duty Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian saw Rodriguez climb from the vehicle and run away, according to a CHP incident report.
“Chief Melekian followed Mr. Rodriguez through the Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park, which is located just off the freeway,” the report stated. “Mr. Rodriguez took a nearby bicycle and continued to flee the scene. Chief Melekian managed to detain Mr. Rodriguez near the corner of Pintos Street and Canada Street.”
Authorities responded to the area after the police chief requested assistance and arrived to find the suspect lying on the asphalt near Melekian. Investigators noted a strong odor of alcohol on the suspect’s breath.
Following a series of field sobriety tests, authorities determined Rodriguez had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. He told CHP officers he did not suffer any injuries during the crash, according to the incident report.
During a search of the vehicle, authorities located open containers of alcohol in the center console’s cup holder. CHP officials booked Rodriguez in lieu of $5,000 bail for DUI, driving without a license and hit-and-run causing property damage.
Comment on this article
Good Job Chief : 5/11/2009
I was hoping that this article was something that Cam Samchez did. But then who could imagine him chasing down a suspect himself and after determining that he was an illegal immigrant actually arresting him. Is there any way to hire Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian for our next chief?
More like him.
Awesome : 5/11/2009
I can only imagine how the cop got him to the ground. Can you say assault or police brutality? No, because the article, as usual, manages to leave that little tidbit out.
I want my baby back baby back baby back
Arrest : 5/11/2009
Maybe it was mutual combat...The guy should not have run away if he didn't want the cop to kick his butt. And he probably didn't get it that bad see ins there was only one cop..
Beaver Cleaver
: 5/11/2009
One down, millions more to go. At least that's one less drop in the bucket that is the community of Santa Barbara. I'm so happy I live here!
Hurray for the Chief : 5/11/2009
Great police work! Thanks to the Chief for going out of his way, especially being off duty, to keep people safe! He's a role model. Definitely more like him!
myhm
More like him & I want my baby back : 5/12/2009
What a couple of dumb f....! I look at this as one illegal alien put in jail and one less "piece of shit" needed here.
Butt Head
Pasadena's Finest : 5/13/2009
Proud of you Chief: I will forward this to many of our local officers and Nay-Sayers (In Pasadena) . Let's continue hope they will catch the vision to match this without using a firearm or other lethal force. That's why Pasadena realize we have "The best, committed Police Chief any where". Joe Brown
Pasadena NAACP President
Pasadena's Hero! : 5/15/2009
It is amazing that we know we have a chief in Pasadena that will go out of his way even when he is off duty. This really shows that he is committed to our own community here in Pasadena but also cares about the general public. We are very lucky to have such a great person as our city chief who is also out there to protect other areas if needed ! Thank you so much Chief Melekian!
: 5/15/2009
wow drunk and no license- shocking indeed
: 5/16/2009
Our Chief : 5/16/2009
This is called Integrity and Courage
PAPAC (Pasadena Armenian Police Advisory Council) H.S.
That figures : 5/18/2009
It takes an out of town Police Chief to do Cam Sanchez' job and get any actual law enforcement done around here. Could you imagine Sanchez rolling up his sleeves and dirtying his hands like this to chase down an illegal?
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