Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Victim in Dec. 5 two-vehicle fatal crash on I-680 near Martinez identified as Novato man

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By CHP – Contra Costa

On Tuesday morning Dec. 5, 2023, at approximately 9:33am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-680, south of Pacheco Boulevard. Our preliminary investigation indicates a Ford F-550, with one occupant, and a Ford Escape, with one occupant, was traveling northbound on I-680. The driver of the F-550 was experiencing suspected mechanical issues and brought the vehicle to a stop in the number one lane. The driver of the Escape was unable to avoid the F-550 and collided into the rear of the F-550.

The driver of the Escape sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the F-550 was not injured.

According to Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jimmy Lee, the victim was identified as Jimmy Thai, age 39 of Novato.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

 

Following standoff Pleasant Hill man suspected of shooting wife arrested

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By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Friday, December 8, 2023 at approximately 11:45 PM, the Central County SWAT team, and crisis negotiators responded to the 200 block of Cleopatra Drive. The husband from the previous incident, Chunliam Nai Saechao (40 years old), was determined to be a danger to the public and a felony warrant was obtained for his arrest. During the day, information was gathered from social media and other investigative means, which led to this decision.

A shelter in place was issued for the Sherman Oaks neighborhood.

Saturday morning at around 7:52 am Chunliam Saechao exited his residence and surrendered to the FBI SWAT Team without further incident. The FBI SWAT team was summoned early this morning to relieve Central County SWAT who intended to return to the scene at 2:00 pm, if necessary. Mr. Saechao will be booked on several felonies to include assault with a deadly weapon and attempted homicide on a police officer.

According to a CBS News Bay Area report, Saechao communicated with police through social media. “During the standoff, he posted videos to social media wearing a bulletproof vest and holding an assault rifle. One message posted online said, ‘Anyone try to break into my home is going to be killed and I will have no remorse because I did a good thing to rid evil.’”

We acknowledge this prolonged and serious event caused great disruption and stoked fear within the Sherman Acres neighborhood and the surrounding community. De-escalation tactics, including disengagement, are routinely utilized in hope for peaceful resolutions, such as this one. Even after disengaging with the suspect during the early morning hours of December 8, the community’s safety and security was consistently monitored and constantly assessed. Police officers remained ready in the area, and we continued to monitor Mr. Saechao’s social media activity. We are relieved that the tactics employed led to a peaceful resolution, avoiding any bodily injuries or fatalities to members of law enforcement or the surrounding community.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Saechao is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Retired cop shoots wife, holes up in Pleasant Hill house, SWAT responds

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Police activity in the Sherman Acres neighborhood of Pleasant Hill, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Photo: PHPD

Posts on social media; stand off ends Thursday, begins again Friday evening, police close nearby roads

By Lt.  Jason Kleven, Pleasant Hill Department

On December 7, 2023 at around 7:05 PM, Pleasant Hill Police Officers responded to a residence on Cleopatra Drive for a welfare check on an adult female who reported to family that she had been locked out of their residence by her husband. Upon arrival, Officers located the female who had minor injuries to her lower body. Officers determined the female had tried to gain entry to the residence, through the barricaded side garage door, and her husband fired a single shot from a shotgun towards the door, striking his wife. The female was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where she was treated and later released. The husband remained inside the residence, alone.

Officers secured the scene and called crisis negotiators and the Central County SWAT team to the scene. Over several hours, numerous attempts to contact the husband, via telephone and loudspeaker, were made, but he was unresponsive to these attempts. The husband continuously posted to social media during the incident. The posts suggested he may be suicidal.

Crisis negotiators tried for several hours to communicate with the husband with no success. The circumstances surrounding this event indicated the husband was not an immediate threat to the general public. The SWAT team disengaged from the scene and the husband was left alone inside the residence.

According to a tweet by Henry Lee of KTVU, the man is a retired police officer.

On Friday, Dec. 8, Pleasant Hill Police announced they had returned to the neighborhood by tweeting, “5:30 pm Monument Blvd at I680 both directions and Marcia Dr is closed to all thru traffic. Please use alternate routes. Shelter in place issued for the Sherman Acres neighborhood due to police activity.”

Learn more from KTVU’s report here.

This is an ongoing investigation by the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Two arrested in downtown Walnut Creek armed robbery

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Source: WCPD video screenshot

By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at approximately 7:36 PM, Walnut Creek Police Dispatch received a 911 call of a robbery on the 1500 block of Bonanza Street. Walnut Creek police officers responded to the scene and located two victims. The victims said they were approached by three male suspects wearing all black clothing and masks. One of the suspects was armed with a dark-colored handgun. The suspects stole the victim’s wallet, pistol-whipped and stole the bag of the other victim, and fled the scene in a white Lexus. The victim who was assaulted sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Walnut Creek Police Detectives, in coordination with the Oakland Police Department, located the white Lexus in Oakland. Walnut Creek Police Detectives arrested two suspects, Elias Alcorn and Daymonee Johnson, and recovered stolen property from this robbery. Both were booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for the following charges with a bail of $250,000:

  • PC 211 – Robbery
  • PC 245 – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
  • PC 182(A)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

The Walnut Creek Police Investigations Bureau continues to pursue investigative leads related to this incident. We encourage anyone with information regarding this robbery to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or utilize our Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

Case #: 23-38521

DeSaulnier to host 200th town hall meeting Dec. 9th 

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At Diablo Valley College

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) has announced he will host his 200th Town Hall since coming to Congress on Saturday, December 9th at 1 p.m. at the Bistro at Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill Campus.

“I am grateful for the continued engagement of the people of California’s 10th Congressional District and look forward to celebrating this milestone together,” said DeSaulnier.

During the town hall he will provide a recap of House Democrats’ efforts this past year to support the American people and a preview of his legislative priorities heading into the new year.

Town Hall at Diablo Valley College

Saturday, December 9th
1:00 – 2:00 PMThe Bistro

321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill

This event is open to the public and press and will be streamed live on Congressman DeSaulnier’s Facebook page.

To RSVP, submit a question, or request special accommodations, visit  https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660.

 

Police seek suspect in fatal Concord hit-and-run on Thanksgiving

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Victim was 86-year-old man

By Sgt Shawn Phalen, Concord Police Department

On November 23, 2023, at approximately 6:49 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the area of Oak Grove Road and Treat Blvd., on the report of a hit and run vehicle collision. Once on scene, it was determined a second related collision had occurred at Oak Grove Road and Ryan Road. A passenger in one of the vehicles, an 86-year-old male, was transported to John Muir Hospital where he later passed away.

This collision is still under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to contact Motor Officer Oscar Rodriguez at 925-671-5065.

Concord shopping center theft suspect arrested on freeway

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Theft suspect Jesse Leonardo Otero arrested on I-680 forcing CHP to block traffic on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Photos: Concord PD

Walnut Creek man arrested 86 times since 2017, 41 times in 2023

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2023, one of our swing shift patrol officers was conducting extra patrols in the area of the Veranda (2001 Diamond Blvd.) when she was notified of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect fled on foot from our officer onto Willow Pass Road and into the parking lot of the Sun Valley Mall. A CPD motor officer attempted to stop the subject, who fled onto I-680. The California Highway Patrol was contacted and momentarily blocked traffic to allow our Officers to enter the freeway and safely detain the male.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero of Walnut Creek, was arrested on the freeway. Mr. Ortero was transported to the Concord PD jail and later to the Martinez Detention Facility for theft and resisting/delaying a peace officer. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their assistance!

According to localcrimenews.com, Otero has been arrested 86 times since 2017 including 41 arrests in 2023 – sometimes twice in the same day – by multiple Contra Costa and Alameda County law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes including trespassing, petty theft, public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting of less than $950, receiving or concealing stolen property, resisting arrest, robbery, vandalism and giving false information to a police officer. His arrests include three times in 2017; 10 in 2018; twice in 2019; five in 2020; 12 in 2021; and 13 times in 2022.

An email was sent to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton asking how someone with Otero’s record hasn’t been sentenced to multiple years in jail or prison.

11/29/23 UPDATE: In response, Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo provided the following statement:

“44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero is currently on felony probation for commercial burglary [PC 460(b)]. He was convicted on June 13, 2022, of a felony and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and placed on two years of formal probation. On the same day, Otero was convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense [PC 459.5] after stealing a gaming controller from a GameStop store. In October 2021, Otero was prosecuted and convicted of two separate counts of misdemeanor vandalism [PC 594(a)]. He was sentenced to 28 days in county jail and a year of probation for the vandalism offenses.

Many of the violations Mr. Otero was cited for in Contra Costa County were low-level, misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing, public nuisance, petty theft, and possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia. Otero’s misdemeanor thefts, for example, include taking a soft drink and candy at a Target store, stealing $27 worth of cosmetics, or shoplifting $50 worth of razor blades.

Our office is working with law enforcement agencies to merge a number of seemingly minor cases for prosecution to seek justice, ensure accountability, and protect our communities. Misdemeanor complaints filed with the court will have multiple incidents that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Burglary suspects flee after crashing car into Pleasant Hill department store

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By Corporal Andrew Kuhn, Pleasant Hill Police Department

On November 23, 2023, at about 7:45 PM, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received a 911 call of a vehicle that collided into the entrance of Kohl’s, located at 2302 Monument Blvd. Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied vehicle and extensive damage to the east doors of the business. The business was closed at this time and no employees or customers were present.

During the preliminary investigation, officers discovered three subjects wearing masks entered the business and left with merchandise. The three subjects fled in a white sedan prior to police arrival.

This investigation remains active at this time. If you have any information that may assist investigators, you are encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

John Muir Health’s Walnut Creek Medical Center achieves American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® Recognition again

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Photo: John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center

For fourth time reinforces a commitment to nursing excellence.

John Muir Health’s Walnut Creek Medical Center recently attained Magnet recognition again, which is a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Receiving Magnet recognition for the fourth time is a great achievement for the Walnut Creek Medical Center, as it continues to proudly belong to the global Magnet community – a small, select group of domestic health care organizations and hospitals in the U.S. The Walnut Creek Medical Center is one of only 129 hospitals in the country to receive Magnet designation four times. John Muir Health’s Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers are two of the 10 Magnet-recognized hospitals in Northern California and two of 55 in the state.

“To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses at both medical centers,” said Michelle Lopes, System Chief Nurse Executive at John Muir Health. “The quest for our fourth designation at Walnut Creek came following an extremely difficult period with the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes the recognition even more satisfying and further reinforces for our patients and community the exceptional care and experience they can expect to receive at John Muir Health.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

  • Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information.
  • Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
  • Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
  • Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. The Walnut Creek Medical Center first received Magnet recognition in 2008 and has now been redesignated in 2013, 2018 and 2023.

Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition.

In granting re-designation to the Walnut Creek Medical Center, the American Nurses Credentialing Center cited several exemplars from the application submitted and their site visit, which they viewed as significant accomplishments and best practices in nursing. These included the percentage of nurses with professional board certification, the percentage of nurses who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing, care coordination across the spectrum of health care services, and several clinical quality achievements.

“With a recognition of this magnitude, it truly takes a village to achieve it,” said Lopes. “Our nurses and our physician, staff and volunteer partners all share in this distinguished honor. During this process, they clearly demonstrated the incredible skill, spirit of collegiality and pride that we are privileged to witness every day.”

About John Muir Health

John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization east of San Francisco serving patients in Contra Costa, Alameda, and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, 6,300 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including Contra Costa County’s only trauma center and a Behavioral Health Center. John Muir Health also has partnerships with UCSF Health, Tenet Healthcare/San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Stanford Children’s Health, Optum, and Carbon Health. The health system offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient, and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties – neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, pediatrics, and high-risk obstetrics care.

Follow JMH at John Muir Health.com | Facebook.com/JMH | Twitter.com/JMH | YouTube.com/JMH

About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world — identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.

The Magnet Recognition Program serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursingworld.org/magnet.