Police Say Robbery of Club May Have Links to Gambling

With no windows or signs, and an iron gate on the door, the Senior Social Club on Pasadena’s Esther Street isn’t your average hangout for older Americans.

By some accounts, it’s not just a social club, but a place where people like to gamble, authorities say.

And that may explain why six men, armed with rifles and shotguns, knocked on the door and burst into the club when most people were sleeping early Saturday. They forced 20 to 40 patrons--some middle-aged, others in their 60s and 70s--to hand over everything from watches to cash.

One of those robbed happened to be carrying $3,700 in cash at 2 a.m, according to police.

The gunmen took $1,100 from a second patron, as well as credit cards and other valuables from the rest. They may have known to expect a rich haul, police say.

“Gambling was going on there, “ said Pasadena Police Lt. Keith Jones. “We’re not talking major Las Vegas gambling here.”

Not satisfied with their initial take, the robbers even buzzed in a few extra patrons to the club at the corner of North Fair Oaks Avenue, just north of the Foothill Freeway, said Cmdr. Mary Schander.

They promptly forced them to join the rest of the crowd, which was lying on the club floor, before taking their valuables, Schander said. The armed bandits cleaned out the patrons in half an hour, then left, police say.

Police, however, did not learn of the crime until later. Three of the victims walked a mile or so to Old Pasadena to call authorities. By the time police arrived, many of the club’s patrons had left the place, which before the incident was known for pool, dancing and cards.

Johnnie Greer Jr., whose name appears on the club’s city business license, said he was there the night of the takeover robbery but won’t comment other than to say the club is closed.

He said it is a social club and does not have a sign because “we didn’t want to put a name up there.” As to suggestions by police that gambling took place within its walls, Greer said “no comment.”

City officials say the club seems to use several names--including Senior Recreation Hall--on its city business license

Police say their first priority is to catch the gun-touting bandits--but suspicions of the illegal gambling will be investigated.

Lt. Rick Sandoval, area commander for northwest Pasadena, said the heist was the first time police had heard of the club.

“This took us by surprise. This is the kind of attention the club didn’t need and the vice-narcotics section will be following up,” he said.

“We don’t know how much money was really involved in this crime because 20 to 30 people had gotten into the wind [left the scene] before we arrived,” he added.

Still, eight victims cooperated with police. One said he recognized one of the suspects from the neighborhood, police said.

“Apparently people go there at all hours of the night,” Victor Gordo, a field representative for Pasadena Councilman William Crowfoot, said about the club. “Several neighbors have complained about people parking on the street.”

For neighbors, the comings and goings at the unnamed storefront have been a mystery until now, he said.

Crowfoot, whose district includes the club, said he is not an anti-gambling activist but the robbery illustrates why he “does not like those activities to go on in the neighborhood.”

He said the incident is a warning to anyone considering gambling outside a casino.

“Whatever you thinking about gambling, you should be careful not to be carrying a lot of cash into place with strangers,” he said.