PASADENA — Police arrested a man who was allegedly on drugs when he tried to take his 3-year-old child and struggled with two officers Thursday.
Pasadena Police Lt. Vasken Gourdikian said one of the officers injured a hand and was treated at a hospital while the suspect was taken to a hospital for detox before he was booked.
A woman called police at 10:51 a.m. and reported the father of her child was attempting to take the 3-year-old while under the influence of drugs, Gourdikian said.
At Madison Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, the officers saw a man on the sidewalk holding a child.
Gourdikian said the man yelled to the officers “Shoot me. Shoot me” and wrapped his arms around the crying child.
The suspect began to run. Officers chased the man and subdued him, the lieutenant said.
The child was freed and returned to the mother.
Alejandro Colotla, 21, of Pasadena was arrested on suspicion of child neglect, child endangerment, being under the influence of a controlled substance and assault on an officer.
Colotla was being held at Pasadena jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Booking records don’t show a court date yet.

– Ruby Gonzales