Community Corner

Hearing Tuesday for Convicted Felon Charged in Beating of Elderly Woman

Authorities say Alonzo Bernard Johnson walked into a 79-year-old South Pasadena woman's apartment, pointed a knife at her and threatened to kill her before beating her with his hands and fists. He was also charged with crimes in Sierra Madre.

Patch editor Donna Evans and City News Service contributed to this article

A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court in Alhambra for Alonzo Bernard Johnson, a convicted felon whom authorities say beat and burglarized a 79-year-old South Pasadena woman in August, and had additional burglary charges filed against him in October for burglaries in Sierra Madre.

Johnson is charged with residential burglary and other crimes stemming from the Aug. 6 attack in an apartment in the 1000 block of Indiana Avenue. Johnson entered the home through a door left open by the victim who was waiting for her grandchildren to arrive, South Pasadena Detective Bill Earley told Patch in August.

In October, the District Attorney filed charges against Johnson for burglaries committed in Sierra Madre after a local detective noticed similarities in those crimes to ones tied to Johnson in South Pasadena.

A Sierra Madre resident positively identified Johnson as the burglary suspect. 

In the August home invasion case, after Johnson allegedly entered the home, he asked to charge his cell phone,.  When the victim told him to leave, he allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and threatened to kill her, according to reports. 

While holding the knife to her, the suspect then forced her into a rear bedroom, face down onto the bed and began beating her, police reported. The woman was saved by her grandchildren, who happened to walk in shortly after. 

Johnson was carrying an MTA pass, and allegedly took the Gold Line from L.A. to South Pasadena, said Earley. His last registered address was to a group home on Skid Row. 

Earley told Patch Johnson has been in and out of jail since the '80s. He has used several aliases and has served time in state prison, according to reports. Previous felony arrests include robbery and burglary. 

He was released from jail in July after serving time for a parole violation, said Earley.  

The victim, 80, was treated at a hospital for a broken nose, unspecified internal injuries, and numerous cuts and bruises. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Sierra Madre