Life in prison for him, 25 years to life in prison for her
Antioch Police forensic artist’s sketch helped lead to their arrest
By Allen Payton
Homicide Case Update: Defendants Tearri Richard and Lakia Poles were sentenced on Friday, March 26, 2021 in Contra Costa County Superior Court for the road rage murder of 57-year-old Oakland resident Raul Garcia in Antioch on Sept. 1, 2019. (See related articles here, here, here and here)
Defendant Richard was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole and defendant Poles was sentenced to 25 years to life. Both defendants were age 26 at the time of the murder and will serve their time in state prison. DDA Aron DeFerrari prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.
“Raul Garcia, the man Tearri Richard and Lakia Poles viciously murdered over a traffic dispute, received justice today,” said DDA DeFerrari. “It is unfathomable that a man’s life could be taken over disagreement about a lane merger that didn’t even result in a collision, yet defendants Richard and Poles hunted Raul Garcia down in the street and killed him for something that trivial; they both deserve the life sentences they were given.”
“The justice achieved today was only possible due to the outstanding investigation by the Antioch Police Department and their top-notch Detective Division,” he added.
On their Facebook page on Sunday, March 21 the Antioch Police Department posted praise for their sketch artist that helped lead to the couple’s arrest:
“On September 1, 2019, Raul Garcia was murdered after a road rage incident in Antioch. Members of the APD Investigations Bureau began investigating the case and learned of a witness to the incident. Detective Jeong (who is a forensic sketch artist) met with the witness and developed a sketch of the suspect. In the following weeks, detectives obtained additional evidence which led to the arrest of Tearri Richard and Lakia Poles. On November 24, 2020, a jury found both Richard and Poles guilty of murder. Last week, Richard was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, and Poles was sentenced to 25-years-to-life. As you can see, Detective Jeong has a special talent in the field of forensic sketches, and we are very lucky he is a member of our team.
The Antioch Police Department will not tolerate violent crime in our city and works hard to achieve justice. We do this not just for our community, but also in memory of those who are lost to senseless violence. We are grateful to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, especially Deputy District Attorney Aron DeFerrari, for his tireless prosecution of this case.
On behalf of the men and women of APD, we express our condolences to the Garcia family.”
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The Contra Costa County Probation Department has permanently eliminated collect calling for youth detained at the Glenn A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez, and Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron. Rather than continuing the practice of charging recipients when a youth makes a call, the Department will now absorb those costs.
“Our primary goals are harm reduction and removing barriers to success for our clients and their loved ones,” said Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause. “Eliminating this additional financial burden and creating a pathway for increased communication with loved ones is the right thing to do.”
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has consistently demonstrated support for justice-involved youth and families. A moratorium was issued in 2016 on the assessment and collection of juvenile probation fees. In 2017, the Board took further action to permanently repeal these fees, and discharge any outstanding fees owed. These forward-thinking actions were ahead of Senate Bill 190, which required counties to eliminate juvenile fines and fees in 2018. This legislation did not include collect calling.
“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that everyone stays connected to their families, especially youth, and I applaud the Probation Department for making it easier on families as we pursue the ultimate goal of reunification and living a healthy life,” said Diane Burgis, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.
Additionally, in response to the public health shelter in place order, the Department began utilizing video visitation in 2020, which has created the ability to offer more frequent contact between youth and their family members. The Department plans to continue this service, also provided at no cost, even after on-site visitation resumes. Video visitation affords family members who may have transportation challenges or mobility concerns with another resource to maintain contact with their loved ones.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Public Works Department will begin construction on the Bailey Road/State Route 4 (Highway 4) Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project on Monday, March 29, 2021 through October 2021, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting. Construction will be scheduled to minimize impacts to commute traffic. Drivers should expect delays and detours during construction. Current social distancing protocol will be observed.
The work will consist of removing the Highway 4 westbound loop off-ramp and pedestrian tunnel, as well as squaring-up the intersections of Highway 4 eastbound on and off-ramps and removing the free right turns. Work also includes widening the Highway 4 westbound diagonal off-ramp, installing a traffic signal for traffic to go north and south bound on Bailey Road, modifying existing traffic signals, installing storm drain modifications, installing sidewalk along Bailey Road, and overlaying the pavement on Bailey Road within the interchange area.
Funding for this project is provided by a federal Active Transportation Program grant and local road funds made up of gas tax revenues provided by the SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act, Navy Mitigation funds and Keller Canyon Mitigation Funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.
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Bay Point Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project moves forward
By Daniel Borsuk
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to permit longtime Brentwood grower Bob Nunn and land planner Lisa Borba, who also serves as a Contra Costa Water District commissioner, to proceed and develop two 10,000 square foot cannabis greenhouses at 4425 Sellers Avenue over the objections of residents. DVF Business Proposal
According to the conditions of approval, the use “permit is for the commercial cultivation of cannabis micro plants only” and “no mature cannabis plants are permitted on the site at any time.” DVF Findings & Modified COAs 03152021
The supervisors’ action reverses a January 27th county planning commission decision that had negated an earlier approval of the proposed cannabis development in Eastern Contra Costa County that had proposed only one 10,000 square foot greenhouse.
During the hearing, supervisors listened to six unidentified speakers oppose the proposed Diablo Valley Farms project on grounds it is nearby a youth center and it will breed crime, noise and odor problems into the environment.
In a Feb. 8th letter from attorney Shawn J. Zovod, the developers Robert Nunn and Borba, and addressed to Contra Costa County Planner Joseph Lawlor, Zovod wrote: DVF SZovod Appeal Letter 02082021 SZovod 030521 Letter to JLawlor Project Planner
“The owner of DVF, Robert Nunn, and the applicant, Lisa Borba (collectively “Applicant”) appeals the CPC decision on the following grounds:
- The CPC decision to deny the Permit was based on an erroneous finding that Sunset Park is a “youth center.” This finding is not supported by the evidence and provides grounds for appeal under Code Section 26-2.2404c (3) Sunset Park is a park and is not a youth center within the meaning of the Cannabis Regulation and Section 11353.1 of the California Health and Safety Code…The CPC’s finding that Sunset Park is a “youth center” and thereby a Protected Use is not satisfied by evidence and is a gross misinterpretation of the Cannabis Regulation.
- “…. Denial of the permit based on an inaccurate and inconsistently applied reading of the requirements of the Cannabis Regulation is denial of equal protection. The CBO cannot turn its back on the laws that it adopted after years of careful consideration. Appellant has invested significant time and tens of thousands of dollars in reliance on the county’s application of its standards on a fair and equitable basis.
Appellant requests the Board of Supervisors uphold this appeal of the CPS, reinstate the Permit as approved by the Zoning Administrator, and decline to add any additional conditions requested by the City of Brentwood to the Permit.”
While supervisors heard from six unidentified Brentwood residents about concerns that the proposed Diablo Valley Farms project will produce crime, odor and noise, Brentwood Police Chief Tom Hansen said the proposed development will bring more “serious crime” to the city and his “officers will be in grave danger.” The police chief recommended that supervisors keep the county planning commission’s January decision intact.
Board Chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood turned the table when she recommended that supervisors reverse the county planning commission’s January action and to approve the Robert Nunn/Borba project.
“They have made it clear there will be no plants of value,” said Burgis. “There will be security. There will be no cash on site. The permit will be valid for five years.”
Supervisors approved the permit on a 5-0 vote.
Approve Engineering Contract for Bay Point Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project
Supervisors approved a $590,000 contract with MNS Engineers, Inc. to provide consulting services with the county Public Works Department for construction management services for the Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project for the period March 23, 2021 to June 30, 2022 in the Bay Point area.
The project consists of constructing a retaining wall, widening the State Route 4 westbound diagonal off-ramp, installation and modification of traffic signals, removal of the SR4 westbound loop off-ramp, storm drain modifications, and installation of sidewalk along Bailey Road.
Funding for the project is from the Active Transportation Program (ATP), Bay Point Area of Benefit, Navy Mitigation Funds, Contra Costa County Measure J transportation half-cent sales tax, and the state gas tax.
Recognize 2021 Poetry Out Loud Winners
Supervisors passed a resolution honoring Pinole Valley High School Senior Jermaine Gitana who won first place honors in the Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud 2021 Competition. Gitana topped second place winner Esmeralda Noyola, a junior at Antioch’s Deer Valley High School, and third place winner Tessa Brubaker, a junior at San Ramon High School in Danville. (See related article)
Initiated by the National Endowment for the Arts and run by the California Arts Council in the state and locally by the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County, the program, now in its 14th year, engages high school students in the presentation of poetry through memorization and performance.
Almost 1,000 viewers watched the students’ recitations that were viewed at the Virtual Screening and Awards Ceremony Facebook Live event.
Recognize Melody Hung-Fan and Eric Moe for Years of County Service
Supervisors passed two resolutions recognizing the years of service for Melody Hung-Fan, director of the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory, and Eric H. Moe, a 35-year Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office expert in automation and streamlining workflow of default-tax procedures.
Ms. Hung started her career at CCCPH in 1988 as a public health microbiologist and rose through the ranks to become director of the Public Health Laboratory in January 2013 where she has spent the last eight years planning, evaluating, organizing, and directing all activities and staff of the CCCPH.
She became a licensed Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) through the California Department of Public Health in July of 1988 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Services and a Master of Public Health, both from the University of California at Berkeley.
Ms. Hung has been recognized for her background in research through the publication of various abstracts and journal articles, the most recent including articles published by the American Society for Microbiology, entitled: “A Population-Based Surveillance Study of Shared Genotypes of Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Meat and Suspected Cases of Urinary Tract Infections.”
Her work has been credited in all phases of creating, running, and evaluating testing procedures for a variety of public health issues including HIV, West Nile virus, Zika virus, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases.
Moe is retiring from a long career in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Officer where he became an expert in defaulted=tax collections, bankruptcy claims, and the annual sale of properties subject to the Tax Collectors Power to Sell. He began his career with the county in 1986 as a Clerk-Beginner. He rose up the ranks and his major accomplishment include automating and streamlining workflow of default-tax procedures to more accurately and expeditiously address and manage the many accounts that transfer to the Redemption or delinquent Secured tax roll annually, and the documenting and re-organizing of standard operating procedures of the tax-default program into a comprehensive electronic manual. Moe has also been helpful in assisting the California State Controller’s Office with review and feedback to the “Annual Pre-Notice Guide”, the “Review and Taxation Code,” and “The County Tax Collectors’ Reference Manual.”
County Awards Contract to Labor Attorney Kramer
Supervisors awarded a contract with labor attorney Karen Kramer, who is not related to Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer, for workplace investigation and workplace legal advice. Ms. Kramer specializes in employment law and litigation. She will be of assistance to the County Counsel in the county’s workplace investigations.
Kramer Workplace Investigations will bill the county at an hourly rate of $325 for legal and investigatory services and $400 per hour for testimony.
She is not related to Assessor Kramer, who last November had misconduct charges dropped against him by Superior Court Judge John Cope for accusations of making sexual comments to employees and at least one ethnic slur to a co-worker.
Approve Property Cleanup Cases in Oakley, Martinez and El Sobrante
Supervisors approved three abatement cases. No public speakers were heard on the cases.
The biggest case totaling $38,056.20 was charged to the owners of 2600 Dutch Slough Road in Oakley. The residential property is jointly owned by Darlene Joy Gargulia, Nguyen Ha and Long Hoang Le.
Another residential abatement action costing $4,306.70 occurred at 5321 Alhambra Valley Road in Martinez. The property is owned by Carol M. Gainey.
Supervisors approved abatement action totaling $4,296.70 at 3870 Valley Lane in El Sobrante. Greg Fremont Livermore is owner of the property.
Read MoreWill allow indoor worship services, indoor dining and movie theaters at 50% capacity, gyms at 25%
Sheriff: Jail Population Down 27% Due to COVID-19
By Daniel Borsuk
During their meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors were given good news from the county’s health officer about COVID-19 restrictions, accepted a federal grant to assist residential tenants and extended protections for commercial tenants through June 30.
County to Enter Orange Tier on April 7
Contra Costa County Public Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano told supervisors that by April 7 the county should move from the Red Tier to the less restrictive Orange Tier as the county’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate begins to decline. Dr. Farnitano said the county’s current hospitalization rate 5.8 percent per 100 persons is too high and must get to a 4.2 percent hospitalization rate.
When the county goes from Red to Orange Tiers, indoor worship services, indoor dining and movie theaters can increase from 25 to 50 percent capacity, and gyms can increase from 10 to 25 percent capacity with modifications.
Dr. Farnitano said that cutting the distance for student desks in classrooms from six feet to three feet “will provide additional flexibility for school districts to bring back students safely.”
Accept Federal Rental Housing Grant
Supervisors unanimously approved a $514,445 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant that will assist households with up to 80 percent Area Medium Income with a priority for those up to 50 percent AMI with a funding focused to ensure rental arrears are addressed to stabilize households and prevent evictions.
The program will be administered by three non-profit housing organizations – RYSE Center, which convenes the more than 200 member West County COVID Community Care Coalition, the Family Justice Center that covers Concord. Pleasant Hill. Martinez, and the East Contra Costa Community Care Alliance.
Protections for Commercial Tenants Extended Through June 30
Supervisors unanimously approved Urgency Ordinance No. 2021-11 to continue the temporary prohibition on evictions of certain small-business commercial tenants financially impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. This protection now continues through June 30, 2021. Protections for residential tenants were unchanged by the urgency ordinance and last through June 30, 2021.
“As we make progress together toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses in our community are still struggling and need help,” said Board Chair Dianne Burgis of Brentwood. “Today’s board action will extend that helping hand for small businesses even as we continue to help eligible renters and landlords during this time. Let us continue to work together to find resources and ways to move forward.”
The ordinance also bars landlords from charging late fees to small business and nonprofit tenants, and extends to August 31, 2021, the grace period to pay back rent.
Sheriff ‘s Office Responds to Public Protection Committee/Racial Protection Committee Questions: Jail Population Down 27% Due to COVID-19
In a consent action, supervisors approved a Public Protection Committee report where the Sheriff’s Office and Health Services responded to questions about the treatment of inmates in jail facilities. It marks the first time the Sheriff’s Office has responded to questions emanating from the committee with input from the Board of Supervisors’ Racial Justice Oversight Body.
Main Conclusion: due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, jail population is down 27 percent.
In a Feb. 18 report to the Public Protection Committee, Assistant Sheriff Steve Simpkins reported as of Jan. 15, 2021, “We have released 1,574 arrestees who were eligible for $0 bail. This information was to comply with a request on information about how many inmates were detained because they cannot afford cash bail.”
The Sheriff’s report stated, “In January and February 2020 (pre COVID-19) the Sheriff’s Office received an average of 1,753 arrestees being booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. The monthly average of arrestees booked between March 1 2020 and December 31, 2020 (during pandemic) is 946, a drop of nearly 50%.” the report said.
“The average daily inmate population in February 2020 (pre COVID-19) of all physical facilities combined was 1,093. The average daily inmate population in December 2020 (during pandemic) of all physical facilities was 795. That is a 27 percent sustained reduction in the average daily inmate population. This morning’s population was 715 (1/22/2021).”
“Seventy Sheriff’s Office employees from the Custody Services Bureau have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. All have recovered,” the report said, “and are back to work except for the most recent three who ae out for quarantine.”
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By Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
On Monday, March 22, 2021, while boat crews were training on on IRBs (Inflatable Raft Boats). They noticed a kayaker had capsized and was unable to right his kayak due to in-climate weather and a strong current.
Thankfully, crews from RB281 and FB285 were able to respond quickly and rescue the kayaker and recover his kayak. The biggest takeaway is that the kayaker was not wearing a life vest. Please remember when going onto the water in any watercraft to always have enough life vest for you and any passengers.
Events like this are exactly why training like today occur. Kudos to our crews for being heads up and responding quickly.
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After winning at the Oakland Diocese Chapter level, five youths from East County advanced to the State Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship where they had great success. Here are the results:
Eric Mendoza of Antioch STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Boys competition;
Brigida Coria of Brentwood is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Girls category
Ryan Wisely of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION for 9-Year-Old Boys;
Kylie Wisely also of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION in the 13-Year-Old Girls competition; and
Lilyana Ponce of Antioch took 2nd Place at State in the 12-Year-Old Girls category;
The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions. All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.
Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics
in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.
Read MoreBy Brentwood Police Department
A little after 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning, March 18, a resident called dispatch after seeing someone looking into mailboxes. The alert resident also noticed a vehicle parked in the wrong direction near the open mailboxes. This may not normally seem suspicious, but with the amount of mail theft that has been occurring and the early morning hour, our residents have been vigilant reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods!
Officers responded to the neighborhood and immediately noticed an unoccupied car matching the description. Where could the driver be?
Officers drove through the surrounding neighborhood, locating more open mailboxes, and spotted a car parked in a driveway with the dome light on. The garage door was also open. What could be going on here? As the officer approached the car he noticed that it had been rummaged through. He also noticed a car that was parked inside the garage had also been rummaged through.
The alert resident called back and said the thief had come back to their car and drove off! Officers jumped in their cars and quickly located the vehicle. Officers identified the driver as 32-year-old Scott Collier of Clayton. During the investigation, officers located approximately 20 pieces of stolen mail stuffed in Collier’s pant leg, stolen gas cards and suspected methamphetamine.
Collier was given a ride to jail and booked on burglary, possession of a controlled substance and multiple theft charges.
Thank you alert resident for calling us! Brentwood for the win!
We, as a community, are stronger thanks to the partnership we have with one another!
Remember, see something, say something!
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By Pittsburg Police Department
On Monday, March 22, 2021, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to a “Bank Hold Up Alarm” at Mechanics Bank (Downtown Pittsburg). Officers arrived on scene and determined an armed robbery occurred. The suspect passed a note which read that he needed, “20 grand” and that he had a bomb. The teller provided the suspect with over $7,000 in cash and then he fled on foot. A canine trail was conducted with assistance from the @contra_costa_k9 unit.
The trail led away from the bank down various city streets. The trail was concluded; however, the suspect remained outstanding. Officers reviewed video footage from businesses in the area near the K9 trail and located video of the suspect fleeing. He was eventually tracked down and found at a nearby residence.
The stolen cash along with a bomb which was determined to be fake were recovered. The Juvenile suspect admitted during an interview he watched a YouTube video on how to rob a bank. He was later transported to Juvenile Hall.
Read MoreBy Pittsburg Police Department
Early Sunday evening, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to a house in the 1000 block of Bending Willow Way for a reported domestic violence incident. As officers were responding to the scene, one of the children inside the home called 911 saying a man was holding a 9-year-old hostage with a knife. When officers arrived at the house, an adult victim told officers her estranged boyfriend snuck into her house earlier in the afternoon and physically assaulted her. The woman was able to get out of the house prior to police arrival. Shortly after she exited the home, two of her children (ages 13 and 3) were also able to escape. But the woman’s 9-year-old was still inside the house with the man. The victim identified him as Frederick Jamar Douglas (36-years-old), and stated he was on parole for domestic violence and made statements that he would not be going back to prison.
Officers began calling into the residence, attempting to make contact with Douglas. After approximately ten minutes, Douglas allowed the 9-year-old to exit the residence, but he refused to exit himself.
The Pittsburg Police Department has several officers that are trained in Crisis Negotiation. For hours, those highly trained officers worked to make contact with Douglas but he refused to speak with them. Efforts to reach Douglas’ family members were successful. But, despite urging from both his mother and father, Douglas would not exit the house and made statements of suicide by shooting at the police.
The Pittsburg Police Department Tactical Team was activated and Detectives authored an arrest and search warrant for Douglas and the residence. Crisis Negotiators and Crisis Intervention trained officers continued for hours to make contact and convince him to exit the home. After those efforts failed, chemical agents were deployed and Douglas exited the home bringing an end to the 7 hour standoff. He attempted to flee through the backyard but was taken into custody without further incident.
After the arrest, Douglas was transported to a hospital and, once medically cleared, was then transported to the Martinez Detention Facility where he is being held on a Ramey Warrant for felony Kidnaping, False Imprisonment, Domestic Violence and Robbery. This case will be reviewed by the District Attorney later this week.
The woman was transported to the hospital for minor injuries and later released. All three children were released to family members. The children were uninjured. Detectives will be working with the family to make sure they receive domestic violence victim support and resources to assist them through this emotional ordeal.
The department would like to thank all of the family and friends who worked with officers and bring this situation to a peaceful resolution.
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