On March 7, 2014, at approximately 5:00 AM, residents throughout Altadena were awakened to the sound of flash bangs and law enforcement officers serving search warrants at nine residences in the Altadena area. The warrants were the result of operation “Blue Thunder,” a three-month investigation conducted by members of the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force into narcotics and weapons sales by suspected Altadena gang members. The task force is staffed by investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Pasadena Police Department, and Los Angeles office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Members of the Glendale Police Department, Monterey Park Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angles FBI all participated in the search warrant operations, which resulted in the arrests of Jamaal Charles in the 600 block of West Altadena Drive on suspicion of possessing cocaine for sale and Malcolm Patillo for a parole violation in the 200 block of east Altadena Drive. Investigators also seized cocaine, marijuana, gang and drug paraphernalia, and five firearms.
Lieutenant Brian Fitch, who supervises the Gang Investigation Team at the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, explained that the success of the operation was a direct result of the cooperation between the participating agencies. Sheriff’s Department investigators continue to work collectively with other members of the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force to eliminate gang violence and improve the quality of life for all Altadena residents.
