Contra Costa Herald

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

CHP distributes over $35 million to fight impaired driving

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Photo: CHP

Antioch, Danville, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Ramon PD’s, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Dep’t among 148 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program recipients

CCC Sheriff Forensic Services Division will use funds for toxicology crime lab

By Tami Grimes, CHP Public Information Officer

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today announced more than $35 million in grant funding to 148 California law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“As the legal cannabis market continues to grow, so do the state’s efforts to ensure Californians are recreating responsibly. By supporting the organizations that enforce and amplify our laws on the ground, we can keep everyone safer,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The grants from Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, assigned the CHP the responsibility of administering grants for education, prevention and enforcement programs aimed at helping communities tackle impaired driving. Additionally, funds are available for crime laboratories that conduct forensic toxicology testing. The funding for these grants comes from a tax on the sale of cannabis and cannabis products in California.

“This funding represents a major step forward in our ongoing mission to save lives and prevent impaired driving,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “With over $35 million going to nearly 150 public safety partners across the state, we’re expanding our reach like never before. These resources will help those on the frontlines keep California’s roads safer for everyone.”

Source: CHP

These funds will go towards a variety of activities. One hundred twenty-six recipients of law enforcement grants will use the funding to combat impaired driving in their communities, including Antioch, Danville, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond and San Ramon Police Departments. The funds will also support drug recognition evaluator training to improve the identification of drug-impaired drivers, as well as public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.

Eleven recipients of education grants will use the funds to inform local communities about impaired driving laws while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Source: CHP

Seven recipients of two-year toxicology crime laboratory grants, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Services Division, will use the funds to eliminate backlogs in analyzing forensic science evidence and to purchase or upgrade laboratory equipment to enhance testing capabilities.

Four recipients of two-year medical examiner’s and coroner’s office grants will use the funds to improve and advance data collection in cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

With the passage of Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), California voters mandated the state set aside funding for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to award grants to local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations, as described in Revenue and Taxation Code Section 34019(f)(3)(B).

The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program marks an important step toward reducing impaired driving crashes, increasing public awareness surrounding the dangers of impaired driving, and making California’s roadways a safer place to travel.

The application process for future grant funding is expected to reopen in early 2026. More information is available on the CHP website at CHP’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood PD investigates report of smoke shop burglary in progress

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Brentwood Police arrive on scene to see suspects entering getaway vehicle before ramming patrol car on Monday, July 7, 2025. Brentwood PD video screenshot

Suspects’ vehicle rams patrol car

By Brentwood Police Department

Early Monday morning (7/7/25), just before 2:30 AM, our Dispatch Center received a report of a burglary in progress at the One Stop Smoke Shop located in the 2400 block of Empire Avenue near Lone Tree Way.

The reporting party advised that suspects were seen on video surveillance attempting to break into the closed business using crowbars.

Within minutes, a Brentwood Police Sergeant arrived on scene and observed several suspects dressed in all black. As the suspects entered a vehicle and attempted to flee, a second Brentwood officer approached and the suspect vehicle intentionally rammed the officer’s patrol car.

The suspects fled the scene, and a pursuit ensued. Despite officers’ efforts, the vehicle was able to flee.

We’re grateful to report that no officers were injured during this incident. However, this serves as a stark reminder of the risks our officers face when responding to dangerous and unpredictable situations.

This investigation is active and ongoing. No further details will be released at this time.

See video of police pursuit.

 

Contra Costa Assessor’s report shows 1,341 more parcels, $12 billion increase in property values

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In annual Assessment Roll

By Allen D. Payton

In a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, county Assessor Gus Kramer informed them of this fiscal year’s Assessment Roll for the purpose of collecting property taxes and the net value has increased by almost $12 billion over last year.

The report shows San Pablo and Danville had the greatest increase while Concord and Pittsburg had the least, as well as an increase of 1,342 parcels due new development in the county.

Source: Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office

Kramer’s letter reads:

“Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors,

I am pleased to report the completion and official delivery of the 2025–2026 Contra Costa County Assessment Roll to the County Auditor-Controller, as required by law.

This year’s assessment roll reflects a total net assessed value of $290.66 billion, an increase of $11.67 billion—or 4.18%—over the previous year. This represents the highest total assessed value in the County’s history. Cities with the highest percentage increases in assessed value include San Pablo with 5.81%, and Danville with 5.28%. Cities with the most modest growth include Concord at 3.10%, and Pittsburg at 2.96%.

The total number of assessed parcels now stands at 382,022, an increase of 1,341 parcels compared to the previous year. This growth reflects ongoing development and investment throughout Contra Costa County.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the staff of the Assessor’s Office for their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts in preparing an accurate and timely assessment roll for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Sincerely,

Gus S. Kramer

Assessor”

The duties of the County Assessor’s Office include:

  • Discovering and assessing all property within the County
  • Producing and delivering an assessment roll by July 1 of each year
  • Valuing all real property
  • Auditing all entities doing business in the County and valuing all taxable personal property
  • Establishing and maintaining a set of 11,000 maps for assessment purposes, delineating every parcel of land in the County
  • Providing a public information service to assist taxpayers with questions about property ownership and assessment

To review your property’s value visit Review Your Value and for more information call the office at (925) 313-7400.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Detectives investigate Bay Point homicide

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Early Saturday morning; public’s help sought

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff

This morning at about 1:02, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a call of ‘shots-fired’ on Harbor Drive in Bay Point.

Deputies arrived on scene and located a person suffering from gunshot wounds in front of a residence on Harbor Drive.

Deputies performed life-saving measures until the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene and is not being identified at this time.

Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives and crime lab personnel responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

CHP investigates Wednesday afternoon road rage shooting on eastbound Highway 4

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Traffic on Hwy 4 eastbound in Concord was backed up and stopped for 25 minutes during commute time late Wednesday afternoon, July 2, 2025. Photo by person who chose not to be identified.

Victim called 9-11, drove to nearby gas station to wait for medical assistance

By Allen D. Payton

An Advisory of a Hazard on eastbound Highway 4 in Concord could be seen on the Apple Maps app at 5:42 PM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Source: iPhone screenshot

A road rage shooting Wednesday afternoon, July 2, 2025, on eastbound Highway 4 between Concord and Pittsburg left a man injured with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. A commuter who chose to not be identified said at 5:35 p.m. she was stuck in the back-up for 25 minutes, that there was “no movement and people are leaving their cars.” CHP – Contra Costa Public Information Officer Dan Gilmore, confirmed traffic was stopped “for exactly 25 minutes.”

According to CHP spokesman, Sgt. Andrew Barclay, “Our detectives are still actively investigating” and “CHP Detectives assigned to the Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit are on the way and will be taking the lead in the investigation.”

He provided details of the incident: “The time of the call was 2:24 p.m. The victim called 9-1-1 and reported a shooting following a road rage incident on eastbound Highway 4 between Willow Pass Road in Concord and San Marco Blvd. in Pittsburg.  The man exited to San Marco Blvd. and stopped at a gas station where medical personnel arrived,” Barclay explained.

“The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. CHP is waiting to determine if it was an actual gunshot, grazing or other wound,” he shared.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it’s possible CHP will close eastbound Hwy 4 to search for casings,” Barclay continued. “There is no further information on potential suspect at this time.”

Unless an arrest is made tonight any additional information won’t be released until Thursday, the spokesman added.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

U.S. Postal Inspectors seek Richmond post office armed robbery suspect

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2025-07-01 Richmond PO robbery suspect Source: U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Offer up to $150,000 reward

By Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, San Francisco Division Mail Fraud Team,

Richmond, CA – The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is requesting information about the individual who committed an armed robbery of a post office at 1025 Nevin Avenue at Harbour Way, Richmond, CA at or around 12:50 p.m. on July 1, 2025.

Video screenshot of Richmond, CA Post Office armed robbery suspect, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Reward money is available up to $150,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of this person, or anyone else responsible for robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee or workplace.

Fact check: Claims swirling around CA gas tax increase to 61.2 cents per gallon July 1

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A legislatively mandated and voter-approved gas tax increase of 1.6 cents and updated fuel standards that could, according to experts, translate to 5 to 8 cents not 65 cents per gallon

What you need to know: There are many disingenuous claims swirling about California gas prices “set to soar” – the truth is that gas prices won’t come anywhere close to increasing by 65 cents, as many would have you believe.

By Office of the California Governor

SACRAMENTO – California gas prices are 20 cents lower than one month ago and 17 cents lower than one year ago – despite a swirl of misinformation drawing attention to current prices.

According to a 2024 report, thanks to major improvements in fuel efficiency, California drivers rank 45th in the nation for gasoline consumption and 21st in spending on gasoline per capita. Trump’s tariffs and policies impacting the price of crude oil stand to swing gas prices far more than any state policy.

Driven by misinformation pushed by Republican lawmakers and the oil industry, there remains a lot of speculation about California gas prices. Here are the facts.

CLAIM: California gas prices will go up by 65 cents or higher on July 1. 

FALSE. There are two separate changes to fuel prices expected on or around July 1 – a legislatively mandated and voter-approved gas tax increase of 1.6 cents and updated fuel standards that could, according to experts, translate to 5 to 8 cents.

  • Gas tax: California’s gasoline tax will increase by 1.6 cents per gallon, starting July 1, as required by law. This annual inflation increase was enacted by the Legislature in 2017 to help pay for road repairs – and overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2018 when they rejected a repeal attempt.
  • Fuel standard: Additionally, changes to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) – which is not a tax – have been requested to go into effect on July 1. Experts at UC Davis estimate this program, first established by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, could add between 5 and 8 cents per gallon – well below one extreme projection that showed 65 cents. In the long term, LCFS is estimated to reduce fuel costs for Californians per mile by 42% – translating to savings of over $20 billion in gasoline costs every year by 2045. Studies also show that LCFS credit prices have no correlation with gasoline prices.

CLAIM: Gas prices could top $8 a gallon by next year.  

FALSE. That number – widely reported in the media – comes from an unscientific analysis whose author has close ties with the oil industry and has been on the payroll of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The author fails to provide evidence to support his main claim and only relies on vague references to models with no details on what those models are based on. Other experts, such as these Stanford economists, say gas price increases based on recent refinery announcements are likely to be negligible.

CalTax Says Gas Tax Will Increase to 61.2 Cents per Gallon

According to the California Taxpayers Association, California’s excise tax on gasoline will increase to 61.2 cents per gallon July 1, an increase of 1.6 cents per gallon over the current rate of 59.6 cents per gallon, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration announced June 4.

The tax rate on diesel fuel – a matter of great interest for many businesses, especially those in the trucking and agricultural industries – will increase from 45.4 cents per gallon to 46.6 cents per gallon, likely leading to higher costs for consumers for many goods and services.

The tax increases are in addition to any other increases that may be imposed as a result of fuel standards developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Increases resulting from CARB actions also would take effect July 1.

The gas tax rate has more than doubled during the past 10 years. The largest year-to-year increase occurred in 2017 as a result of SB 1 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), which increased gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and increased the diesel tax by 20 cents per gallon (both effective November 1, 2017) and required that the rates be adjusted annually based on the California Consumer Price Index.

Although Californians often mention vehicle-related taxes as a topic of major concern – and cited an increase in the vehicle license tax as a major factor in their decision to recall Governor Gray Davis in 2003 – the CDTFA did not issue a news release or use its social media channels to alert the media or general public to the increase. Instead, the increase was posted on the agency’s website as a special notice to retailers of gas and diesel fuels.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch woman, man arrested in Oakley same night for separate crimes

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Alvonda Meyers for hit and run of man, cars; Raymond Del Tessandro for assault with a deadly weapon; both arrested before

By Oakley Police Department

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 11:51 PM, Oakley police officers were dispatched to a verbal disturbance in the 500 block of Mockingbird Lane. The reporting party stated there had been a birthday party at the location and a physical fight broke out inside. Some of the participants went outside and the suspect, identified as Alvonda Tyquesha Meyers (39, Antioch), got into her vehicle and intentionally struck a male victim, pinning his leg between two vehicles and injuring him. Meyers then drove up and down the street striking several parked vehicles and nearly struck pedestrians who attended the party.

Oakley officers arrived on scene and attempted to stop Meyers, but she fled and officers initiated a vehicle pursuit. Our officers were able to deploy spike strips at the onset of this incident, which flattened two of Meyers’ tires. In spite of the flat tires, Meyers continued to flee through Oakley into Antioch coming to a stop on Fernbank Way where she was taken into custody. Meyers was arrested and booked into jail for felony evading, Assault with Deadly Weapon, DUI and Hit and Run.

Later, during the same shift on June 25, 2025, at 2:08 AM, Oakley officers were dispatched to the Best Western Hotel on Bridgehead Road because someone had just been struck with a beer bottle. When Oakley officers arrived, the victim reported that he rented a room at the hotel for a female friend of his so she could get away from the suspect, Raymond Maurice Del Tessandro (41, Antioch). Del Tessandro showed up at the hotel room and the victim told him he needed to leave.

At some point the victim turned his back on Del Tessandro and Del Tessandro hit the victim in the head/face with the beer bottle. During the altercation, the victim’s phone fell to the ground; Del Tessandro picked the phone up and fled on foot. The victim sustained a laceration to his face and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Oakley officers located Del Tessandro walking on Main Street; he was arrested and transported to the jail and booked for assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested on April 30th for battery on transportation personnel with injury.

Also, according to localcrimenews.com, Meyers was arrested in 2017 by BART PD for willful cruelty toward children and assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury and in 2023 by San Francisco PD for evasion of public transit fare payment. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, she bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Prison sentence for Walnut Creek transient man in child sex abuse case

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Marc Alexander Simon arrest photo. Source: Walnut Creek PD

6 years, 8 months for 28-year-old Marc Alexander Simon

Occurred in library restroom

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney

Martinez, California – A Walnut Creek man was sentenced today in Contra Costa County Superior Court after entering guilty pleas to felony charges of sexual abuse of a minor and aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material.

28-year-old Marc Alexander Simon (born 12/25/96) was sentenced by the Honorable Charles Burch on June 26th, 2025, to six years and eight months in state prison. Simon was further ordered to register for life as a sex offender upon his release from custody.

The offenses for which Simon was sentenced occurred on April 11, 2024, when Simon followed a child into a restroom at the Walnut Creek Library and sexually abused the minor. The child reported the incident to an adult, who contacted the Walnut Creek Police Department.

Walnut Creek Police detectives used security cameras to quickly identify Simon’s vehicle as he left the scene. Police tracked him to another location in Walnut Creek, where he was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. An iPhone seized during his arrest was forensically examined, revealing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

The transient man was arrested for lewd acts upon a child and attempted kidnapping. Simon has been in custody since his arrest and will begin to serve his sentence immediately. (See related article)

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “The swift investigative work by Walnut Creek Police and our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was crucial in holding the defendant accountable. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting children in our communities from those who prey on them.”

Deputy District Attorney Ashley Torres from the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted the case. The Walnut Creek Police Department Investigations Unit led the investigation with the assistance of the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, six-inch tall, 160-pound Simon is Hispanic and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-24-01623 | The People of the State of California v. Simon, Marc Alexander

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two Oakley men arrested following boating incident at Discovery Bay marina

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Screenshots of videos posted on social media of the incident in Discovery Bay on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Erick & Danny Garcia were held on $95K bail each

Erick arrested in 2024, both arrested in May all on violence charges; Danny already out of custody

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects after a reckless boating incident at Discovery Bay Marina on Sunday, June 22, 2025, that was widely shared on social media.

Deputy Sheriffs from the Marine Services Unit launched an investigation after multiple witnesses reported a Malibu ski boat chasing a personal watercraft (PWC) through the marina at high speeds. Deputies identified two operators during the incident, 33-year-old Erick Garcia and 34-year-old Danny Garcia, both from Oakley, who were seen operating the boat recklessly. The ski boat was later found abandoned in Stockton.

Erick Garcia was detained yesterday during a traffic stop in Oakley. With assistance from detectives in the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, Marine Patrol Deputies served a search warrant at Danny’s home in Oakley, leading to his arrest.

Both Danny and Erick Garcia were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on identical charges:

  1. Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not a firearm) – 2 counts
  2. Criminal Threats – 1 count
  3. Vandalism – 2 counts

Each were being held in lieu of $95,000 bail. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Danny bonded out of custody today at 4:27 PM. However, as of Wednesday, June 25, at 4:42 PM, Erick was still in custody.

According to localcrimenews.com, Erick was arrested on May 3 this year by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. He was also arrested on Sept. 5, 2024, by Contra Costa CHP for threats of violence. Danny was also arrested on May 3 this year, but by Walnut Creek Police, for being intoxicated in public and resisting a peace officer with injury.

See videos posted on social media here, here and here. (Warning: Explicit language)

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information or video footage is encouraged to contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit at (925) 383-4906.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report. In an earlier version of this report the photo of Danny Garcia was not the correct man from Oakley. Apologies for the mistake.