Glendale Police Department Conducting DUI Patrols

Additional officers from the Glendale Police Dept. will be out on patrol on July 9 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The GPD remains committed to keeping the public safe when they are traveling.

“We want everyone to be as safe as possible, especially when they are on the road,” Sergeant Bateman said.

Glendale Police Dept. reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Those who plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact their ability to drive safely should plan on staying at home.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Male Arrested for Robbery and Felony Assault

On June 14 at approximately 5:20 p.m., officers responded to Verdugo Park regarding a robbery that had just occurred. Upon arriving, officers contacted the victim and multiple witnesses. Officers were told that an unknown male, who was wearing a ski mask, ran towards the victim while they were in the park.

The victim began running away from the suspect; however, the suspect caught up to the victim and pushed the victim to the ground as he started grabbing for the victim’s cellphone saying, “Give it to me.” The victim refused to give up his/her cellphone, which caused the suspect to punch the victim in the back of the head and then kick the victim before fleeing the location on foot.

Multiple officers established a perimeter and a search for the suspect was initiated with the assistance of the Glendale Police Dept.’s K-9 Unit. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Vincent Calixto (transient), was located hiding inside of the perimeter. As officers were detaining Calixto, he spontaneously stated, “I’m sorry.” Calixto was positively identified as the suspect and was arrested and booked for robbery and felony assault.

Male Arrested for Possessing a Loaded Handgun

On June 13 at approximately 12:04 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of North Central Avenue regarding a male who had just brandished a firearm in public then fled in a vehicle with a female. Upon arriving, officers learned the reporting party had observed a male, later identified as 27-year-old Julio Vazquez-Molina of Tracy, arguing with a female near a parked vehicle. The reporting party attempted to intervene in the argument, during which time Vazquez-Molina retrieved a loaded handgun from the rear seat of the vehicle and placed it in his waistband, telling the reporting party to leave them alone.

After this, Vazquez-Molina and the female entered the parked vehicle and drove away from the location. Additional officers had responded and immediately began checking the area for the suspect vehicle and located it driving in the area of Central Avenue and Americana Way. The vehicle was stopped and both occupants were detained. Upon contacting Vazquez-Molina, officers asked him if he had a firearm, to which he stated he did and that it was in the glove box of the vehicle.

Officers recovered the loaded handgun from the glove box and Vazquez-Molina was arrested and booked for illegally carrying a loaded firearm in public.