Assault suspect in court after being charged with attacking woman at Pasadena subway station

PASADENA, Calif. (CNS) – A man who allegedly attacked a woman at a Pasadena subway station, throwing her onto the tracks and then into oncoming traffic in the car pool lane of a freeway has pleaded not guilty, facing charges of attempted murder and assault.

Juan Pablo Flores, 33, appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday after being charged in connection with the attack on a woman at the Allen Station on the A Metro Line.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, officers responded to the Metro station shortly after 5:30 a.m. on August 7, where a woman had been struck multiple times in an unprovoked attack.

The woman fell to the ground and endured several more blows before the suspect – later identified by prosecutors as Flores – pushed her onto the tracks, “dragged her across the highway's concrete guardrail” and into a lane of the highway, authorities said.

The suspect was later found by Sheriff's Transit Bureau deputies at the intersection of Allen Avenue and Villa Street and taken into custody without incident, authorities said.

The woman was taken to a hospital where she was declared in stable condition last week.

“Our thoughts are with the victim and her loved ones as she begins her road to recovery following this gruesome attack,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the charges. “No one should have to endure such brutality, and everyone has the right to go about their daily lives without fear for their safety. We will not tolerate violence in our transportation system and will continue to hold those responsible fully accountable for their crimes.”

Earlier this month, Los Angeles County Councilwoman Kathryn Barger praised transit officials for their quick response.

“This incident is a perfect example of why we urgently need to address safety issues, not only in the Metro system but also at the stations,” Barger said in a statement.

Barger also said she expects a comprehensive report from Metro on the safety measures taken to ensure safety, particularly during morning commuter hours.

“Our subway board has already taken some steps to improve public safety, including fare control. But it is obvious to me that commuters on our subway system still face serious problems that cannot be ignored,” Barger said.

Her colleague, District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who like Barger sits on the Metro board, issued a statement saying, “The details of the attack on a woman this morning at Allen Station in Pasadena are disturbing and I am grateful that the victim is recovering and the suspect is in custody.”

“Our board needs a full investigation of this incident, an inventory of where Metro's contracted police and transit security officers were when this woman was attacked, and a plan to increase safety during morning commuter hours. Our trains, buses and stations must be safe for our riders, and we must continue to implement safety reforms to get our system to that point.”

According to prison records, Flores has been behind bars since his arrest less than an hour after the attack.

He is due back in a Pasadena courtroom on October 9 for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to bring the case against him to trial.

If convicted as charged, Flores faces up to life in prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

City News Service contributed to this report.