Authorities Friday released security video of a man believed to have thrown an explosive device into the Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Pasadena in February, and officials announced a $20,000 reward for information that helps find him.
No one was hurt in the incident that occurred at 6:08 p.m. Feb. 2 at the restaurant at 2 W. Colorado Blvd., according to the Pasadena Police Department.
The video, released at a news conference at Pasadena Police headquarters, was taken in a nearby Ralphs market shortly after the explosion occurred, and shows the man walking with a “distinctive gait” — with his feet turned in, Deirdre Fike of the FBI said.
“We believe that once this video is released, it will lead to tips coming in to help support the investigation,” Fike said.
The video shows the man carrying a bag containing dark clothing he apparently wore when he threw the device into the restaurant and that he discards in a trash container inside the market.
Following the blast, responding officers immediately evacuated the restaurant and located the detonated homemade pyrotechnic device that was rendered safe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad, police said.
The motive was not known, but Pasadena police Lt. Vasken Gourdikian told NBC4 in February that nothing in the investigation has suggested the incident was “anything other than a really bad prank.” Another police spokesman told NBC4 the device was a “glorified firecracker” that didn’t appear to be made to injure anyone.
Witnesses described the suspect as either Hispanic or Middle Eastern, 6 feet tall, with a thin build, a heavy beard, all-black clothing and a black beanie. The reward was offered by the FBI. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call (800) CALL-FBI.
—City News Service