Detectives Seeking More Information in Case of Murdered Altadena Man

The Pasadena Police Department has arrested two people on suspicion of murder in the Dec. 27 slaying of an Altadena man, but are seeking more information to bolster their case before presenting it to the District Attorney's Office.

As , the department arrested 41-year-old Monrovia resident Chauncy Hollis last Friday on suspicion of shooting and killing 43-year-old Edward Santana of Altadena.

Also arrested in the case last Friday was Hollis's girlfriend, 46-year-old Jewel Taitt of Pasadena.

Santana's body was found in the yard of a home near the intersection of Marengo and Dearborn in Pasadena on Dec. 27.  He was found with a lock cutter and other tools that could be used to break into a home, according to Lt. Tracy Ibarra of the Pasadena Police Department, who also noted Santana has a prior criminal record that included thefts.

Hollis and Taitt were spotted, pulled over, and arrested on Friday, May 18, not just on suspicion of murder, but also for possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to sell, according to Ibarra.

Hollis and Taitt are being held on the drug charges while Pasadena detectives continue to work on finding more information on their potential involvement in the murder.

When asked if the department currently had enough information to get the District Attorney's Office to file murder charges, Ibarra had the following response:

"We feel there is additional evidence that would make the District Attorney's Office more comfortable with filing."

Ibarra declined to discuss specifics but said she believes there is additional information that would link Hollis and Taitt to the scene.

A Pasadena Police Department press release issued earlier this week noted that a witness at the scene gave police information about a car leaving the scene shortly after the murder.  Ibarra declined Thursday to say whether that car belonged to Hollis or Taitt.

Ibarra also noted that Hollis has a connection to a gang in Pasadena.  Santana did not have any known gang affiliations, she said.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact Ibarra at (626) 744-4522.   An anonymous report can also be made through Crime Stoppers at: http://lacrimestoppers.org. The word “Pasadena” must be inserted in the format.