Burglary Suspect May Be Linked to Other Crimes in Sierra Madre

Five days after his early morning arrest by Sierra Madre Police, suspected burglar Christopher Martin, 50, is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles after appearing in Pasadena Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Martin has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1992, according to a report in the Pasadena Star-News, based on Los Angeles County Superior Court records. According to the report, Martin's criminal record includes drug-related offenses as well as convictions of forgery, theft, robbery, impersonation, reckless driving and driving under the influence.

Martin is thought to have committed burglaries and thefts in Sierra Madre in the past, according to Sierra Madre Police Chief Marilyn Diaz.

"The investigation is continuing to see how many other crimes there are that we may be able to tie the suspect to," said Diaz, who also confirmed that the Los Angeles County District Attorney had filed two felony counts against Martin. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Pasadena Superior Court, according to official booking information from the Sheriff's Department.

The arrest was made at 3:14 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7, by Sgt. Abbott of the Sierra Madre  at 99 North Hermosa Ave. Interestingly, Martin was arrested just one day before his birthday, Nov. 8.

"This was Sgt. Abbott making a good early morning 'on-view' arrest of a parolee suspected of committing burglaries and thefts in Sierra Madre," said Diaz on Monday morning following the arrest.

The Sierra Madre Police Department is also working with police officials in Altadena to determine whether or not Martin has any connection to the in Altadena, according to Lt. Joseph Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff's Department.

"As of right now there is no evidence that he's related to the burglaries in Altadena, but we're looking into it to see if he has any connection," said Dempsey.

Lt. Len Hundshamer of Sierra Madre Police said police are looking at that angle but have yet to draw any conclusions on the matter.

"Many Altadena burglaries along with some in our city, including auto burglaries, are still unsolved," said Hundshamer. "We've recovered a number of items for victims to see, and hopefully that will lead to other crimes in the area. But right now it's still a work in progress."