PASADENA >> Authorities continued looking for a man who threw what was described as a “homemade pyrotechnic device” into a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Old Pasadena Thursday evening.
Pasadena police Lt. Art Chute said the device exploded but no one was injured in the incident which happened just after 6 p.m. at the restaurant at 2 W. Colorado Blvd.
He said the restaurant was crowded with diners when a man opened the front doors and tossed in the device. The man fled after throwing the device. No getaway car was seen.
Officers evacuated customers and employees. Police also called in the Sheriff’s bomb squad which rendered the device safe.
The device was described as a seemingly homemade pyrotechnic device containing gunpowder, Chute said.
Lt. Mark Goodman said it was not a pipe bomb, not a Molotov cocktail, had no projectiles, no shrapnel and nothing was ejected.
Police don’t know why the man picked that location. The motive behind the bizarre incident remains a mystery.
“It could be a dissatisfied customer, a disgruntled employee,” Goodman said, adding that police don’t know if the incident is terrorism-related.
No serious damage to the restaurant was visible inside the story on Friday morning. Employees were at the restaurant preparing to open the restaurant for regular business hours on Friday. It opens at 11 a.m.
“Pasadena police detectives are currently handling the investigation and out of an abundance of caution, the federal authorities have been notified,” according to a police statement.
Citing the ongoing investigation, Goodman didn’t name the federal agencies.
Goodman said witnesses described the suspect as a Latino or Middle Eastern man, about 6 feet tall, of thin build with a heavy beard. The man wore all black clothing and a black beanie.
Police have not increased patrols in Old Pasadena.
“There are (patrol) cars specific to that area. That intersection is travelled heavily by our officers,” Goodman said.
Anyone with information can reach Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
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