By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police
A 19-year-old Sacramento woman is under arrest after a reported theft in progress at a store in Broadway Plaza. On July 27th, 2023, at approximately 1:30PM, Walnut Creek Police Officers were dispatched to a possible theft in progress in the 1200 block of Broadway Plaza. Upon arrival, three females were detained. Upon further investigation, one of the women, Romajane Prestige Hill, was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun. The firearm was modified from a semi-automatic pistol to a fully automatic pistol, and also had a 30-round extended magazine. Hill was ultimately arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
On July 31st, Hill was charged by the District Attorney’s Office for the following felony charges:
32625(a) PC: Possession of a Machine Gun
32310(a) PC: Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine
25850(a) PC: Carrying a Loaded Firearm on One’s Person
25400(a)(2) PC: Having a Concealed Firearm on One’s Person
Hill posted bail and is currently out of custody. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.
Read MoreMultiple victims in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill; bail set at $620K
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Sean Christopher White of Pittsburg was arraigned on a 13-count complaint for a series of burglaries, a carjacking, attempted carjackings, criminal threats, vandalism, and other violations that occurred on August 9th.
The 5’7”, 140 lb., 33-year-old Hispanic man (born 5/17/90) committed these offenses in the City of Walnut Creek, unincorporated Walnut Creek, and the City of Pleasant Hill affecting multiple victims. White’s crime spree involved:
- Three attempted carjackings [PC 664/ PC 215 (a)] – one with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon [PC 12022 (b)(1)].
- One count of carjacking [PC 215 (a)].
- Two counts of driving or taking a vehicle without consent [VC 10851 (a)].
- Two counts of first-degree burglary where a victim was present [PC 459].
- One count of criminal threats with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon [PC 422 (c), PC 12022 (b)(1)].
- Indecent exposure [PC 314 (a)].
- Vandalism which destroyed or damaged property valued over $400 [PC 594 (a)].
- Receiving stolen property valued over $950 [PC 496 (a)].
During White’s arraignment in court, his bail was set at $620,000. He’s currently being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.
The District Attorney’s Office thanks the thorough work from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Walnut Creek Police in responding to these incidents and investigating the violations that occurred.
His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 25 in 05 Superior Court Department 06 at 8:30 a.m.
Case No. 01-23-02568 | The People of the State of California v. White, Sean Christopher
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…On the heels of a successful Fan Appreciation Night and the well supported practice that followed, racing resumes this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.
Back in action are the popular IMCA sanctioned Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, and the three divisions have just two-point races left to go. Also competing will be the Delta Dwarf Cars and a special Print Club Mini Stock race.
Troy Foulger of Oakley and Bowers Motorsports weren’t necessarily planning to run for points this season, but that’s how it turned out. The team prefers to run at different venues when the bigger money is on the line, and frequently they leave with big prize money. In this case, the team started winning early on and found themselves leading two championship battles.
The Bowers name is synonymous with winning races at Antioch Speedway. From the days of the Hall of Fame duo Bill Bowers and JD Willis teaming up to win many Main Events and several championships to Billy Bowers and Foulger, they keep getting the job done.
In fact, the team had their Modified at the track for practice last week to try and pick up a little bit of speed. IMCA National rookie leader and State point leader Andrew Pearce of Oakley has won the last two races. That doesn’t sit well with the Bowers team.
Foulger still leads Pearce in the Modified ranks, 336-314, but the last win for Pearce gives him a 4 to 3 advantage in Main Event wins. The title will come down between these two, while reigning champion Nick DeCarlo of Martinez leads Jeff Browne of Oakley in the race for third, 214-186.
Just 30 points behind Browne you’ll find 2019 champion Buddy Kniss of Oakley. The popular Modified division has been at the Speedway since 1990, and this is the 34th championship run for the class.
In the IMCA Stock Car ranks, Foulger again only has one driver to worry about. In this case, it’s Jason Robles of Rio Vista, who trails by 32 markers. Robles takes on a big role at the speedway as a primary track preparations expert, running the heavy equipment.
Jason is still looking for his first win of the season and has finished as high as second three times. Foulger, however, has won seven races, which has also helped propel him into the IMCA State point lead. It’s been a banner year for the team.
Jason’s son Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista has a solid hold on third in the standings as reigning champion Travis Dutra of Concord has fallen out of the battle. Dutra is only four points ahead of Oakley’s Scott Foster. Foster has been supporting the class pretty well this year as he picks up a little speed with each race.
You won’t find the DeCarlo name high in the point battle, but both Nick DeCarlo and Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez are Main Event winners in recent races.
Turning attention to the IMCA Sport Modified ranks, Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley is on a pace to collect a pair of championships. The IMCA State title seems well in hand after Ryan picked up his fourth Watsonville win last week.
However, the three-time Antioch winner has to contend with Kenny Shrader of Pacheco in the track title chase. Shrader got his third win last time out, keeping him four points out of the lead. This battle will go down to the wire.
Though he hasn’t won yet this season, Mark Garner of Antioch has been very consistent with six Top 5 efforts. He’s just nine points out of the lead and three ahead of three-time Antioch champion Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.
Jacob Mallet, Jr. is last year’s State champion, and he has a 23-point lead over Joseph Pato in the race for fifth. 28 points back in seventh is the top rookie, Billy Garner of Antioch.
We haven’t seen enough of the Delta Dwarf Cars this year, but we have a fierce battle on our hands between Chance Russell of Antioch and Devan Kammermann of Dublin. Russell leads by just four points going into this race. He is a one-time winner, while Kameramann has picked up two victories.
Quietly, Tracy’s Joe LeDuc has crept into third in the standings, 20 points ahead of David Michael Rosa of Antioch and 22 in front of Travis Day of Concord. Sean Catucci of Antioch was back at practice last week and making good laps as he’s set to return this week.
Last year’s Print Club Mini Stock championship runner-up, Laina Bales of Antioch, lined up some sponsorship to give the division a purse this week. They don’t normally pay down the entire field, but they will on this occasion.
There could be some visitors In town as drivers compete for the increased prize money. This race will also be an opportunity for the local drivers to get things in order as the West Coast Sport Compacts hit the speedway the following week with their competitive tour.
A look at the track points finds Tom Davis of Los Molinos with a solid hold on the lead, 85 points ahead of reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa. Davis has picked up six wins, but Brown has been shut out.
Brown took a tumble off of a ladder a few weeks ago and suffered a collapsed lung, taking him out of the most recent Antioch race. Brown won at Petaluma last week, keeping him on the path to winning his third championship in a row there.
At Antioch, Brown leads Tony Quinonez of Corning by 27 points in the race for second. Quininez got his first win of the season last time out. Top rookie David Carson is now fourth in the standings, just four points ahead of Pittsburgh’s Don Abitz and 19 in front of Dana Gardner of San Bruno.
The IMCA storylines are certainly interesting. Nobody has ever won two championships in the same season at the track, but Foulger has that in his crosshairs along with an unprecedented sixth Modified title.
There are also the close battles in the Delta Dwarf Cars and IMCA Sport Modifieds to consider. The drivers will be giving it all they have to try to move up a little bit higher in the standings. It’ll be a good night of racing from start to finish.
The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00. Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.
For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.
Read MoreIllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker caught up with California Gov. Gavin Newsom to see which of the Democratic leaders that oversee sanctuary states can do the most to accommodate their immigrant community at citizens’ expense.
Prior to Jan. 1, 2023, candidates for California police officers’ jobs were required to be either citizens or permanent residents to qualify. But a law Newsom signed, Senate Bill 960, opened law enforcement positions up to any California resident who possesses either a green card or a valid visa. The new law took effect January 1, 2023.
In July 2023, Pritzker signed HB3751, a bill similar to California’s, that will allow individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States to apply for the position of police officer, deputy sheriff or special policeman, subject to satisfying that job’s specified requirements. Illinois’ applicant pool would, like California’s, include deferred action for childhood arrival recipients (DACAs), lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and temporary protected status (TPS) holders.
Illinois has more than 35,000 DACAs and about 30,000 LPRs. By-state statistics on TPS are unavailable, but because that program has expanded dramatically since President Biden’s inauguration, it represents a significant total. Currently, 15 nations have been granted TPS, and if history is a guide, their status will never be revoked. Instead, the TPS designees’ list will grow longer. Pritzker’s folly will begin January 1, 2024.
Founded in 1915, the Illinois-based Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, strongly objected to HB3751. The group noted that police officers’ main function is to enforce the law and to ensure that people in their jurisdictions abide by all applicable laws. The union promised that it will “welcome these potential police recruits with open arms once their citizenship status is solidified, and look forward to the unique perspective they can bring to our profession.”
But the FOP asked what message does the legislation send when noncitizens become enforcers of our laws? “This is a potential crisis of confidence in law enforcement at a time when our officers need all of the public confidence they can get.” Making an important point that the FOP overlooked, Republican Illinois State Sen. Chapin Rose added: “It would be a ‘fundamental breach’ of democracy to allow noncitizens to arrest American citizens.”
Pritzker, in a half-truth-filled defense of his controversial legislation, said that about 20 years ago, post-9/11, Chicago and Illinois went on a hiring spree to safeguard against terrorist attacks. Those officers are now eligible for retirement and are leaving the force. Although Chicago’s crime rates are trending down this summer, they remain dangerously high. During a recent weekend, six people were shot and killed, and 27 others were wounded by gunfire, including innocent pedestrians.
Chicago’s police are increasingly frustrated by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s illogical limitations on their ability to carry out their duties. For example, officers can’t give chase to fleeing criminals because they’re suspected of having committed minor offenses. Under new Mayor Brandon Johnson, the road ahead for cops may be even rockier. Johnson promised during his campaign to eliminate Chicago’s gang database, a vital tool, and to redirect police funding to social services agencies. Johnson avoided using the phrase “defund the police,” but the end result will be the same. He also recently called events tantamount to riots just “large gatherings .”
If Newsom, Pritzker and Chicago’s administrators governed with more commonsense and less WOKENESS, Illinois and California wouldn’t have driven so many citizens out of those well-paid police jobs that include generous benefits packages. Often noncitizens’ backgrounds are murky; perhaps their ties to their homeland governments will outweigh their fealty to the U.S. If so, the bill put forth by Newsom and Pritzker will create long-term security risks.
Joe Guzzardi is a Project for Immigration Reform analyst. Contact him at jguzzardi@ifspp.org.
Read More
He was also a parolee-at-large
By Brentwood Police Department
Early Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, Brentwood officers were called to a business located at the 2400 block of Empire Avenue, for an alarm call. Shortly after, our Dispatch received a call from a remote video surveillance monitoring company, who advised they were watching a male attempting to break into the business.
The company provided a description of the suspect and saw that he got into a red SUV, which was being driven by someone else.
The on-duty Sergeant, who was close by, arrived to the area and immediately saw a red SUV driving into the Slatten Ranch parking lot. As soon as he attempted to do a car stop, the male attempted to flee on foot.
Our Sergeant was able to safely take him into custody, and 37-year-old Antione Jovan Rice of Antioch was placed under arrest for attempted burglary. Rice, who is on parole for burglary, was also a parolee-at-large.
The driver of the SUV, identified as 33-year-old Christina Marie Rivera, Jr. of Pittsburg, was located in a nearby Starbuck’s drive through. She was placed under arrest for assisting in the attempted burglary and she had a warrant for fraud.
Both Rice and Rivera were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, both Rice and Rivera are still in custody and she is being held on $30,000 bail. No information was provided on Rice’s bail amount.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreHeld on $375,000 bail
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 15-count felony complaint on August 4th against 40-year-old Jarvis Leigh Ferguson (born 2/8/83) of Daly City for a string of commercial burglaries in Walnut Creek. Ferguson was also charged on August 10th for selling and possessing controlled substances.
Ferguson was arraigned in Superior Court in Martinez on August 7th and pled not guilty to the commercial burglary charges. He committed the offenses between July 16th and July 24th targeting restaurants and a hair salon in Walnut Creek during non-business hours. Walnut Creek Police investigated the burglaries and found the methods used in the crimes were similar. Moreover, once evidence was collected and analyzed from the affected businesses, it led police to Ferguson as the primary suspect.
Ferguson faces seven counts of second-degree commercial burglary [PC 459], six counts of grand theft of property [PC 487(a)], and two counts of vandalism causing over $400 in damage [PC 594(a)].
In a separate filing, Ferguson will be on August 11th on a four-count felony complaint for possessing and selling methamphetamine and cocaine on August 2nd. Two counts are for violating HS 11378 for the possession or sale of a controlled substance, and two counts for violating HS 11379(a) to sell or offer to sell a controlled substance.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “We’re grateful to Walnut Creek Police who thoroughly investigated these brazen burglaries and drug offenses. Those who engage in such criminality will continue to be prosecuted by my office.”
Ferguson is currently in custody at the West County Detention Facility with a bail amount currently set at $375,000.
Case No. 01-23-02512 | The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh
Case No. 01-23-02552| The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh
Read MoreThe bi-vocational pastor touts his “strong legislative record in consumer protection, affordable housing and public safety”; can only serve one term
Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Friday, August 11, 2023, Assemblyman Tim Grayson announced his run for the California State Senate. Grayson has served in the Assembly since his election in 2016 and was previously the Mayor of Concord. He currently represents the 15th Assembly District and is seeking to represent District 9 in the State Senate, encompassing Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The district is currently State Senate District 7 and is represented by State Senator Steve Glazer who is termed out.
“Californians are struggling to keep pace with rising inflation and skyrocketing housing costs. I’ll stand up for them in the State Senate and expand on the work I did to stand up for middle-class Californians – expanding statewide protections for renters, standing up to Big Banks and pharmaceutical companies, providing affordable housing, and improving our roads, bridges, and infrastructure,” said Grayson.
He made his announcement with a video posted on social media for his supporters.
Grayson, a registered Democrat, was the first in his family to earn a college degree. His father was a Teamster, and his mother was a public transit worker. Starting in 1997, Tim operated a business as a general building contractor and still holds a license today. In 2010, he was elected to the Concord City Council, winning reelection in 2014 and eventually serving as the city’s mayor. As mayor, Tim worked to balance Concord’s $90 million budget and built up the city’s rainy-day fund.
Grayson co-founded the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. He fought for funding for survivors of abuse during the coronavirus pandemic and wrote a law making it tougher for sexual predators to avoid justice.
Since being elected to the Assembly, Tim has authored and passed historic legislation to build more affordable housing for middle and working-class families, establish statewide rent protections to help more Californians stay in their homes, increase access to effective mental health services for our California firefighters and first responders, and put an end to predatory lending and rein in the payday loan industry.
Grayson’s major legislative accomplishments include:
- Serving as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. Assemblymember Grayson has championed innovative solutions that will benefit all Californians and lead to economic growth.
- Securing $30 million in state funding for Family Justice Centers throughout California to streamline services for victims of interpersonal violence.
- Securing $34M to improve the Interstate 680/State Route 4 interchange in Concord.
- Passed laws (AB 1482 and AB 1481) to protect California renters from unfair evictions and significant rent increases.
- Authored legislation, AB 1116 (Grayson, 2019), to increase access to effective mental health services for firefighters.
- Supported legislation and funding to help law enforcement recover stolen merchandise to protect local businesses.
- Supported funding a permanent Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit to fight organized retail theft.
- Supported a state budget that included $30 Million to support the National Guard’s drug eradication efforts, targeting transnational criminal organizations.
- Supported $156 Million for gun violence prevention programs, and $25 Million for gun buyback programs.
- Supported $30 Million investment for fentanyl & other drug trafficking prevention programs.
- Supported legislation to ensure officers receive strong use-of-force training in order to protect them in the field and help keep our communities safe.
- Passed AB 539 to stop the predatory payday lending industry by capping the interest rates on small loans between $2,500-$10,000.
According to Grayson’s biography on his official Assemblymember website, “Grayson serves as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and as a member of the Business and Professions Committee, the Insurance Committee, and Revenue and Taxation Committee. Grayson also chairs the Select Committee on Streamlining Services for Victims of Interpersonal Violence.
Grayson continues to serve as the Concord Police Department’s Critical Response Chaplain, a position he has held since 2007, providing emotional support and counseling to first responders, victims, and their families during and after traumatic events. Grayson also has maintained a license as a general building contractor since 1997.”
He “is eligible to serve up to twelve years in the Legislature through 2028,” allowing him one, four-year term in the State Senate if he’s elected.
According to Grayson’s Wikipedia page, “Although once a Republican, he switched parties upon making a bid for Assembly.”
His run for State Senate triggers the campaign by Antioch City Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s campaign for Assembly, which she announced in June and was conditional upon Grayson not running for re-election. (See related article)
Grayson is also pastor of Lifepoint Church formerly, Calvary Apostolic Church, in Concord. He lives in Concord where he raised his two children with his wife of more than 35 years, Tammy who is the principal of Calvary Christian School which is operated by the church along with Calvary Christian Preschool. According to corporationwiki.com, Grayson is currently president of Calvary Apostolic Church of Concord, and formerly affiliated with United Pentacostal Lighthouse of Rodeo, for which according to bizapedia.com Tammy served as Chief Financial Officer, and Grace for Grace Ministries, which according to bizapedia.com was located in Stockton.
Additional details are available at www.GraysonforCA.com.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreAwards more than $40 million statewide for Resilient Workforce Program, invests in workforce opportunities that advance job quality, environmental resilience.
By Anna Champe, Communications Manager, CA Workforce Development Board
The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, recently awarded more than $41 million to 18 projects across the state to advance High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) that move underserved populations into better jobs. Today’s funding announcement is part of a larger, multi-level state investment to promote workforce development efforts that prioritize equity, quality jobs, and climate reliance while meeting regional labor market needs.
“HRTPs invest in industry-led, worker-informed efforts to deliver on the promise of a California for All,” said CWDB Executive Director Tim Rainey. “HRTP’s Resilient Workforce Program is part of California’s high road vision for the state’s workforce development system that focuses on the principles of job quality, worker voice, equity, and environmental sustainability.”
HRTPs are industry-based, worker-focused training partnerships that develop talent for California’s “high road” employers — firms that compete based on the quality of product and service achieved through innovation and investment in human capital and thus can generate family-supporting jobs where workers have agency and voice. The HRTP Resilient Workforce Program initiative will increase access to existing high-road jobs for underserved populations and create pathways for job growth for incumbents already employed with high-road employers.
Projects receiving funding include $500,000 to the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County for the East Bay Health Equity Initiative.
The East Bay Health Equity Initiative (EBHEI), which includes East Bay Workforce Boards and the Bay Area Health Workforce Partnership, received funding to replicate a successful Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) training program and other in-demand health careers. The project will focus efforts on local schools providing career training in a variety of health professions and includes additional resources to enhance financial, academic and career support.
Over the last two years, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s (WDBCCC) has established a proven model by identifying existing training providers and then adding supplemental services and resources to make those programs more accessible and better meet the needs of low-income workers, immigrants/refugees, justice-involved, veterans and other priority groups.
The project is expected to begin implementation in Spring 2024.
Additional grants throughout the state include:
- $5 million for Scaling Proven Allied Healthcare Adult Training Pathways – Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service will deliver established allied healthcare training programs in the Bay Area and work to scale them throughout the state using strategic partnerships with various healthcare institutions.
- $5 million for Public Pathways – the Aggie Square Community Partnership will connect underserved populations with career, education, training, and skills in high-road, high-demand career pathways, including public sector/business, healthcare, biotechnology, and community workers.
- $5 million for HRTP- Behavioral Health Expansion (BHE) – to expand substance use disorder career pathways in San Diego with the support of many diverse, invested local partners and five different education partners.
- $4.8 million for Golden State Pathway to Teaching and Leading – to create no-cost pathways for paraeducators and others to earn a teaching license. The Teachers College of Western Governors University will provide education, training, and in-classroom experiences.
- $4.6 million for High Road to Microelectronics – for specific company-specific and worker-customized training and certificate programs at three community colleges in the Bay Area to bring workers into quality semiconductor careers.
- $4.5 million for High Road to Correctional Health Professions – to support strategic partnership between Service Employees International Union Local 1000, California Correctional Health Care Services, and multiple community colleges to expand the LVN and RN apprenticeship program, launch an RN residency program, and provide training for correctional health workers.
A complete list of awardees can be found on CWDB’s website.
Read More
Multiple handguns recovered
By Concord Police Department
There was a large police presence in downtown Concord Thursday morning and we want to share what happened.
On Thursday, August 10, 2023, at about 11:30 AM, the Concord Police Department received information from Mt. Diablo High School staff that a student was robbed at gunpoint earlier in the day on campus. Patrol officers began investigating the robbery and developed suspect descriptions and leads.
About 30 minutes later, a Concord Police officer located the suspect vehicle and several subjects in a downtown Concord parking garage. As the officer detained the subjects, one of them fled on foot. Several Concord officers chased the suspect, detained him and placed him under arrest. This juvenile suspect was in possession of a handgun when he was arrested and was later identified as the robbery suspect.
During the investigation, multiple handguns were recovered and it was determined several of the subjects were related to the robbery. The subjects detained and suspects arrested were all juveniles.
As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Alvarado, Violence Suppression Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 671-5820 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826
Read More
Any additional victims urged to contact police
By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department
The Walnut Creek Police Department is reaching out to the community and urging any additional victims of sexual assault to come forward after the recent arrest of a suspect.
On July 7, 2023, Walnut Creek Police Department Detectives arrested Brandon Alexander Delliquadri, a 35-year-old male from Walnut Creek, in connection with several sexual assaults believed to have occurred over the past few years. The arrest was the result of diligent investigations by WCPD Patrol Officers and Detectives, and resulted in the following charges being filed against Delliquadri:
PC 261(a)(2) – Forcible Rape (four felony counts)
PC 261(a)(4) – Rape of an Unconscious Victim (one felony count)
Case #: 23-11727
Due to the nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case, we believe there may be other individuals who may have been sexually assaulted by the same suspect. We understand that it can be challenging for victims to come forward. If you or someone you know has information about one of these cases or has experienced any form of sexual assault, we urge you to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.
Read More