Contra Costa Herald

They came to meet a child. They met Walnut Creek PD instead.

One each from Concord, Antioch, Walnut Creek, Marin County & visiting from Germany

By Walnut Creek Police Department

The Walnut Creek Police Department recently hosted a multi-agency operation with the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, targeting adults who used social media to target children for sexual exploitation. Five adults traveled to Walnut Creek believing they were meeting a child. All now face charges including attempted lewd acts with a minor (PC 664/288(a)), contacting a minor to commit a sex offense (PC 288.3(a)), and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b)).

5 arrests:

• Andrew Garcia, 32, Concord
• Billie Ray Breland, 29, Antioch (born 02/12/1997)
• Rudolf Naused Robl, 42, visiting from Germany (born 07/04/1984)
• Jacek Markiewicz, 67, Walnut Creek, also charged with attempted kidnapping
• Taesu Park, 36, Marin County

The ICAC Task Force exists to identify predators before a real child is harmed, combining investigations, training, and victim support across our region. Operations like this one are the result of that work.

Thank you to our partnering agencies for their work on this operation: Contra Costa County Sheriff, Contra Costa County District Attorney, FBI San Francisco, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Contra Costa County Probation Department, Moraga, Brentwood, San Ramon, Concord, Hercules, Pleasant Hill, Oakley and Menlo Park Police Departments, Contra Costa County MCTF, San Francisco Sheriff’s Office and Marin County DA.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 237-pound Breland is Hispanic, was arrested on July 23rd and is being held in a Custody Alternative Facility on $50,000 bail. He’s also listed as White and as of Aug. 3, 2026, at 10:25 AM, he was released to Off Grounds Unsupervised Custody.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 200-pound Robl is Hispanic, but also listed as White, was arrested on July 26, is being held in the West Re-Entry Treatment and Housing facility on $475,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 8:30 AM in Martinez Superior Court Department 5.

According to localcrimenews.com, Park is a resident of Richmond and was charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted lewd acts with a child, attempting to contact a minor with intent to commit an offense, distributing or sending harmful matter to a minor by any means, and 288.4(A)(2) – Prior Conviction Enhancement. Every person who violates this subdivision after a prior conviction for an offense listed in subdivision (c) of Section 290, he Sex Offender Registration Act, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Read More

Victim identified; police seek shooter and getaway driver

By El Cerrito Police Department

On Monday, August 24, 2026, El Cerrito detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Jacari Taliferro Gibson, an 18-year-old man from Richmond (born 10/20/07), for murder and robbery in connection with the homicide in El Cerrito on Sunday, August 23.

At 1:20 PM, on August 24, 2026, Richmond Police officers located Mr. Gibson in the City of Richmond. El Cerrito Officers took custody of Mr. Gibson, booked him for the crimes of murder and robbery, and transported him to the county jail in Martinez. Following his arrest, El Cerrito Investigators and Officers served a search warrant at Mr. Gibson’s residence in Richmond.

Surveillance cameras near the scene of the crime captured footage of the suspect’s vehicle. This footage did not provide ECPD with a license plate. Investigators collaborated with regional jurisdictions to identify a license plate for the suspect vehicle, thanks to Flock Safety and Vigilant ALPR cameras. This information proved essential in identifying the vehicle used by the suspects to flee the scene. El Cerrito Investigators placed the vehicle on a statewide alert list.

During the evening of August 24, 2026, Vallejo Police officers located the 2017 Nissan Maxima used in the commission of the murder in the parking lot of the Del Norte Plaza shopping center, located at 11299 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito.

According to a KTVU FOX 2 News report, the 21-year-old victim was Jakai Couch, who was shot and killed in his Toyota Camry parked outside Los Moles restaurant in El Cerrito, and was expecting baby with his girlfriend.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 230-pound Gibson is listed as Non-Hispanic, and also as Black, and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

The ECPD is still searching for Mr. Gibson’s two accomplices, including the shooter and the getaway driver. The ECPD asks anyone with information regarding their identity or whereabouts to contact investigators at (510) 237-3233.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Read More

By East Bay Regional Park District Police Department

BB guns can look incredibly similar to real firearms, especially from a distance or during a fast-moving situation. That makes it difficult for both the public and law enforcement officers to immediately tell whether someone is carrying a BB gun or a real rifle.

That uncertainty can quickly create a dangerous situation.

It’s also important to remember that East Bay Regional Park District Ordinance 38, Section 403.1 prohibits BB guns in East Bay Regional Parks.

Please leave BB guns and similar weapons at home when visiting our parks. Following park rules helps keep visitors, staff, and responding officers safe.

Read More

Witnesses offer descriptions of vehicle, suspects

By El Cerrito Police Department

On August 23, 2026, at 12:17 PM, the El Cerrito Police received a call of a shooting in the parking lot of the Del Norte Plaza shopping center, located at 11299 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. El Cerrito, Kensington and Richmond Police officers responded to the scene. They discovered that a young man had been shot in the parking lot, near Los Moles Restaurant. Although officers attempted to provide medical aid, the man died of his wounds.

Witnesses reported that the suspects became involved in an altercation with the victim at his car and shot him. After the shooting, the suspects fled the area in a dark colored sedan by driving southbound on S. 56th Street.

Witnesses described the suspects as follows:

Suspect #1 – Young black male adult, wearing a black mask and a black North face brand puffy jacket.
Suspect #2 – Young black male adult, wearing a hat and a black Nike brand jacket.

Police officers, detectives, and crime scene investigators were at the scene interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence.

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, the victim was 21 years old from Oakland. According to an ABC7 News report, it is the first homicide in the city in three years.

UPDATE: El Cerrito Officers have located additional information about the suspect vehicle. The suspects fled the homicide scene by driving northbound on S. 56th Street, then westbound on Potrero Avenue. They were last seen driving southbound on S. 55th Street from Potrero Avenue.

Suspect Vehicle: Gray Nissan Maxima, 2016 or newer model year

If any members of the community have information about this homicide, the El Cerrito Police encourage them to call the ECPD at (510) 237-3233.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Read More

Deadline: Sept. 13

Interested in learning more about the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office? Apply for our Fall 2026 Citizen’s Academy!

This free, six-week program offers a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the vital work of the Office of the Sheriff and its role in keeping our community safe. Topics include patrol, investigations, dispatch, and more, along with guided tours of several Sheriff’s Office facilities.

• October 7 to November 18 (No class November 11)
• Wednesday evenings in Martinez, 6 PM to 9 PM
• Saturday session: October 24 in Clayton, 9 AM to 3 PM
• Open to adults 18+ who live or work in Contra Costa County

For more information, visit our Community Services/Crime Prevention Unit webpage:

https://www.cocosheriff.org/…/community-services-crime…

To apply for the Citizen’s Academy, fill out this application and email it to csu@so.cccounty.us.

https://www.cocosheriff.org/…/596/638416872883770000

Deadline to apply: September 13, or until all spots are filled.

Read More

Following a year on the run

El Cerrito victim killed in separate incident at Bay Point house party

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Fairfield Police Department, law enforcement has taken a suspect into custody over a year after a fatal shooting in Fairfield. On August 8, 2025, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of 1300 W. Texas Street, where a 19-year-old Ta’Marcus Williams, a former Armijo High School football player, tragically lost his life, while sitting in a parked vehicle outside a Fairfield smoke shop.

Detectives quickly identified 20-year-old Adonnis Isiah Evans (born 9/10/2005), who raps under the stage name “Lul Dada”, as the suspect and secured an arrest warrant.

According to a Hoodline report, Williams died inside the vehicle before emergency responders arrived, and police say Evans and his girlfriend then fled south toward San Jose in a waiting Nissan. Solano County prosecutors filed murder and firearm charges against Evans on August 22, 2025.

But Evans evaded authorities for over a year. While a fugitive, he continued releasing music.

Wanted for El Cerrito Football Player’s Murder

Evans is also wanted as the primary suspect in the June 2025 killing of 18-year-old Guardian Harper at a house party in Bay Point. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, on June 14, 2025, at 12:58 a.m., Deputies arrived on scene and found a person suffering from gunshot wounds in a front yard. Deputies immediately performed life-saving measures until the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The person, who was not identified at the time, was later pronounced deceased. Deputies learned that two other gunshot victims transported themselves to a local hospital and were being treated for non-life-threatening wounds.

According to a Pressbee report, Harper was a 2024 El Cerrito High graduate and played football at both Benicia and El Cerrito High Schools before moving on to American River College and San Francisco City College.

Earlier this week, the San Jose Police Department successfully contacted Evans and placed him under arrest. On August 21, 2026, he was transported and booked into the Solano County Jail, where he is facing charges of 187 P.C. (Murder).

According to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, six-inch tall, 125-pound Evans is Black and being held in the Justice Center Detention Facility in Fairfield on no bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24th at 1:30 p.m. in Fairfield Superior Court.

“We thank our law enforcement partners for their assistance in bringing him into custody,” Fairfield Police concluded in a post on their Facebook page.

Read More

Beginning September 9, reopening approximately May 31, 2027

By Contra Costa County Library

The Ygnacio Valley Library, on Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, is preparing to turn an exciting new page. The branch will temporarily close starting September 9 through approximately May 31, 2027, to undergo essential infrastructure and facility improvements designed to enhance climate control, safety, and energy efficiency for the community.

As part of Contra Costa County Library’s ongoing effort to update and maintain its facilities, this project will address critical structural and interior building systems:

• HVAC System Replacement: Installation of an all-electric, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round.
• Roofing Upgrades: Replacement of the building’s roof to protect the facility and ensure long-term stability.
• Electrical & Lighting Upgrades: Comprehensive updates to electrical infrastructure alongside energy-efficient lighting upgrades throughout the branch.

This renovation project is made possible through dedicated local support from Measure X funds, supplemented by Contra Costa County Library reserves.

• Closure Timeline: The Ygnacio Valley Library will temporarily close beginning Wednesday, September 9, and reopening approximately May 31, 2027.
  • Tuesday, September 8, is the final day for patrons to pick up existing holds at the Ygnacio Valley branch.
  • Starting September 9, 2026, all uncollected holds will be moved to the Walnut Creek Library (1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek).

During the closure period, the book drop and parking lot will be closed. Books and other physical materials can be borrowed or returned at any open Contra Costa County Library branch, including the Walnut Creek, Clayton, Concord and Pleasant Hill libraries.

For account questions during the closure, please call (800) 984-4636.

Read More

150 Years of Cityhood – “A celebration of our community, by our community!”

Past, Present, Future, Together

“Martinez’s Sesquicentennial is a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Together, we will honor our past, embrace our present and build a future that reflects the spirit and resilience of our community.” – Mayor Zorn

By City of Martinez

Celebrate 150 years of Martinez with us! Join the City of Martinez for our Sesquicentennial Festival on August 29, 2026, from 11am–7pm at the Martinez Marina and Waterfront Park.

Enjoy this once‑in‑a‑generation, waterfront‑wide celebration honoring the history, spirit, and people of Martinez. Spanning Waterfront Park, and the Martinez Marina area, the festival brings neighbors, families and local organizations together for a full day of music, activities, and community pride.

“I am honored to be part of this chapter in Martinez’s history,” said Mayor Brianne Zorn. “As we celebrate 150 years, we are taking the opportunity to express gratitude for all that has been built by those before us and also look ahead with optimism and commitment to building a vibrant future for the next generations.”

From live music and kayaks to art activities and kites, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with our partnership with the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival from 1pm–6pm, you can enjoy an incredible selection of craft brews as part of the festivities!

Bring your family, invite your friends and spend the day enjoying all the fun, energy and community spirit that makes Martinez special!

August 29, 2026

Main Festival 11am-7pm

Beer Festival 1-6pm

Planned in partnership with Downtown Martinez & Co. and the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival, the event features expanded entertainment and hands‑on experiences that showcase the best of our community.

All Community Activities Are FREE! Festival Features & Activities:

• Main Stage live music
• Climbing wall
• Foam parties
• Kids’ obstacle course
• Kids’ zone with arts &crafts, and soft‑play activities
• Bike Zone
• Splash‑bash water fun
• Bocce
• Kite Zone: First 500 kids get a free kite!
• Face painting
• Bubble fun
• Kayak tours
• Rowboat races
• Community Stage performances

Kit Zone – Let’s go fly a kite, Martinez!

At our Sesquicentennial Festival, we’re celebrating one of our most colorful local traditions: the kites that regularly paint the sky above the Marina!

We’re thrilled to spotlight our very own “Kite Man of Martinez,” Tony Jetland and better known as “KMOM”, whose vibrant kites have become a beloved part of our waterfront. KMOM will be flying his jaw dropping kites in the Kite Zone, where he’s also generously giving away 500 free kites to let families join in the fun and fill the sky with color. This is a great opportunity to meet KMOM and see his kites in action. Thank you also to the John Muir Association and the Boy Scouts Troop 429, who will be supporting the Kite Zone throughout the day.

Come be part of this hometown tradition and help us make the Marina soar during our 150th celebration!

Retail items celebrating Martinez, food trucks and beverages will be scattered throughout the Festival for purchase. Beer Fest is a ticketed event, and you can pre-purchase tickets at www.downtownmartinez.org.

Thank you to our Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge our generous sponsors for supporting this milestone celebration!

TruGreen, SecureSpace, First Baptist Church Martinez, Muir Family Dentistry, John Muir Association and IBEW Local 302.

We’ll be sharing more info about the day and have some fun surprises already in store, so save the date and stay tuned! Learn more at: www.cityofmartinez.org/150festival

Sesquicentennial Year 2026

The City was incorporated on April 1, 1876 – no fooling! To mark this momentous occasion, the City has been undertaking initiatives and events throughout the 2026 calendar year.

As Martinez moves through 2026, the Sesquicentennial theme of Past, Present, Future, Together will serve as the guiding vision to make sure each facet of our collective story remains at the center of our community’s celebration and commemoration. This theme reflects the City’s strength of connection to its history, the importance and influence of today’s community, and the optimistic look ahead at our future together.

“Martinez’s Sesquicentennial is a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Together, we will honor our past, embrace our present and build a future that reflects the spirit and resilience of our community.” – Mayor Zorn

Sesquicentennial Anniversary

The City proudly celebrated its Sesquicentennial Anniversary on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Martinez City Hall, marking 150 years since Martinez’s incorporation. The City was grateful to celebrate this milestone with residents, families and visitors from around the Bay Area.

Attendees enjoyed live music from the Martinez Junior High Jazz Band, light appetizers, a celebratory dessert, and the popular Flower Bouquet Bar. The festive atmosphere set a joyful tone leading into the evening’s commemorations.

Then the City Council convened a special meeting honoring Martinez’s 150th Anniversary of Incorporation. The program included congratulatory messages and presentations highlighting Sesquicentennial initiatives taking place throughout the year.

The meeting reflected on the City’s rich history, recognized its ongoing progress, and honored the community’s contributions over the past 150 years.

150 Trees for 150 Years Planting Project

More than 150 new trees have been planted across the City in advance of the Sesquicentennial on April 1, 2026! New plantings can be found along Alhambra Avenue, Marina Vista, Arnold Drive and other key corridors, where over ten species, such as Crepe Myrtle, Chitalpa, Valley Oak and Coast Live Oak, were chosen for their beauty and proven success in our local climate.

This citywide beautification effort not only honors the Sesquicentennial but also enhances Martinez’s long-term environmental health. As part of this project, improvements to medians and irrigation systems will support the trees’ growth and longevity. Additional shrubs and plantings will also be added to the improved medians to create a more vibrant, sustainable landscape throughout the community.

With the trees now in the ground and beginning to take root, residents will see this green transformation unfold throughout 2026. These plantings stand as a lasting tribute to Martinez’s past and a hopeful symbol of the City’s next 150 years!

Park System Master Plan Update 2026

The Martinez Parks System Master Plan is being updated in 2026, and will provide a clear, community-driven vision to guide the development, enhancement, and long-term stewardship of the City’s park and open space system over the next 15 years.

A comprehensive effort to re‑envision Martinez’s parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities for generations to come. Through community collaboration and thoughtful planning, this update will provide a roadmap to enhance existing spaces, expand opportunities, and strengthen connection between people and their parks.

Developing a successful and realistic Master Plan requires a thoughtful, step-by-step process. This includes assessing current conditions, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and engaging with the community to understand local needs and priorities.

Ultimately, the Master Plan will serve as a roadmap for creating a healthy, connected, and dynamic park system that supports the well-being of Martinez residents today and for generations to come!

The completed plan will:

• Assess current park conditions, amenities, and service levels;
• Identify priorities for investment, rehabilitation, and expansion;
• Promote environmental resilience and sustainable maintenance practices;
• Reflect evolving recreation trends and demographic changes; and
• Strengthen the connection between people, nature, and community life.

Draft Master Plan for public review in fall 2026 and City Council adoption tentatively expected winter 2026.

Join us on Wednesday, September 2nd at 5:30 p.m. to help shape the future of local parks and recreation! The City will be hosting a Council Workshop in the Martinez City Hall Council Chamber at 525 Henrietta Street, to review draft findings and preliminary recommendations that have come through the first eight months of the Park System Master Plan update process.

More information at www.cityofmartinez.org/parks2026 and follow the City’s Facebook page.

Utility Box Art Program

Celebrating Community through Public Art!

A creative beautification project that will transform utility boxes throughout the City into works of public art celebrating Martinez’s culture, history and community.

As part of the City’s Sesquicentennial celebration, the Sesquicentennial Utility Box Art Project is underway to bring more public art to our community. The Project will transform five utility boxes across Martinez into vibrant public art celebrating our community’s culture, history, and spirit. Created and selected by the community, the artwork reflects the Sesquicentennial theme, Past, Present, Future, Together, highlighting what makes Martinez such a great community.

From June 1, 2026 until July 20, 2026, a total of 3,844 community votes were submitted through PollUnit, a device-based online voting platform. The five designs with the highest number of votes were presented to the City Council on August 5, 2026 and approved. After designs are finalized and fit to the vinyl wrap vendor specifications, the installation is expected to be completed in Fall 2026.  More information at www.cityofmartinez.org/utilityboxart.

District Community Sessions 

The City hosted district Community Sessions January – February 2026 to kick off the Sesquicentennial year! Community members met their District Representative and the Mayor and heard about major City initiatives that were planned or already underway.

The Sessions focused on:

• The Sesquicentennial Celebration year
• The City’s 4‑Year Strategic Plan
• The Waterfront and Marina Revitalization Project
• The Park Masterplan Update

By hosting one session in each district, the City made sure these conversations were accessible to everyone. Whichever session residents attended, they experienced the same topics and discussions, ensuring that all community members could take part in shaping our shared future. More information including Strategic Plan Presentation Slides at Community Sessions 2026.

Learn about the City Hall Building History and the Mayor and Former Mayors of Martinez.

For more information about the City of Martinez Sesquicentennial visit www.cityofmartinez.org/150.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Read More

Will play for Head Coach John Harbaugh after playing for his brother Jim with L.A. Chargers

“Ready to get back. Got my confidence back, too. I think this is a good opportunity here. I have a lot to prove as somebody coming back from a torn Achilles.” – Najee Harris

By Dan Salomone, Director, Editorial Strategy, New York Giants

The New York Giants today (Tuesday, Aug. 18th) signed Najee Harris, a former Pro Bowl running back who needs no introduction to his new head coach.

John Harbaugh faced Harris repeatedly in the rugged AFC North.

“I felt like the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I saw him over there,” Harbaugh said Monday after the Giants worked Harris out. “He’s a big dude.”

Harris was drafted 24th overall by the Steelers in 2021, never missing a start while rushing for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons. He then signed with the Chargers, who are led by John’s brother Jim Harbaugh, as a free agent in 2025. But his season was cut short when he suffered a torn Achilles in a Week 3 game against the Broncos. The next week, the Chargers faced the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Jaxson Dart’s first career start.

“He’s an experienced back,” Harbaugh said after they signed him on Tuesday. “Anybody that’s watched him play knows what type of a back he is. He’s a downhill runner, physical runner. I’ve played against him a lot. I have a good feel for who he is as a player. Everybody that’s been around him, my brother, G-RO (Senior Offensive Assistant Greg Roman), (former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin, love him as a teammate. So, excited for the possibilities.”

Harris was added to a running backroom that recently lost Dante Miller, who suffered a groin injury in the preseason opener.

“I want opportunity,” Harris said after his first practice with the Giants. “I think this is a good opportunity here. I think the style of play that they’re heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me. Harbaugh coming from the AFC North, me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants. I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play. I think that just coming here is a good opportunity, and I’m willing to just put my foot in there and help out in any way I can.”

Harris has played in 71 regular-season games with 68 starts. His career numbers include 1,112 rushing attempts for 4,373 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and 28 touchdowns, in addition to 183 catches for 1,174 yards and six more scores. Harris, 6-1 and 242 pounds, has also started three postseason games.

Before the injury, Harris ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards from 2021-24. He became the 14th player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons.

In 2021, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and named All-Rookie by the Professional Football Writers of America.

Prior to the NFL, Harris was a two-time national champion at the University of Alabama and in 2020 was in the running for the Heisman Trophy.

He finished his Crimson Tide career as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843), scrimmage yards (4,624) and total touchdowns (57), while tying for the most rushing touchdowns in school history (46).

Harris also won the Doak Walker Award, which annually recognizes college football’s best running back, and earned unanimous All-American recognition after setting a single-season program record with 30 total touchdowns en route to his second College Football Playoff title.

“I most definitely go into every year with a chip on my shoulder, but more so much this year,” Harris said. “I have a lot to prove as somebody coming back from a torn Achilles. Really everything that I did in the past is in the past, and everything I do now is really what matters. I know there are going to be a lot of questions of how I’ll come back looking, and I’m ready to answer all those.”

Career at Antioch High School

Prior to his college career, Harris developed as a running back with the Antioch High School Panthers in California. As a freshman, he was 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds with wide shoulders and a big frame. Within just a few weeks of joining the Panthers’ football program, Harris was pulled up to varsity as a freshman. By his junior year, Antioch High went undefeated and won a league championship for the first time in 31 years.

According to the stats on his page of the Giants website, he now weighs in at 232 pounds.

At the time he joined the Steelers, Harris was the 11th person to make it to the NFL from Antioch High. He was also the first Antioch High alum to be drafted since 1999. The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the first round was 1969.

A post on the school’s Facebook page with an excerpt from Harris’ press conference video on Tuesday reads simply, “Wishing Najee all the best!” A post on the Antioch Sports Legends Facebook page that day reads, “Share and Like, help us spread the NEWS!”

In that video, Harris also said, “Ready to get back. I feel great. It’s been a process. Learned a lot about myself. Had a great off-season with the PT’s (physical therapists) at Elite OrthoSport. They got me back. Got my confidence back, too.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Read More

32-year-old is related to the victims

Only survivor, mother of the two children, remains in the hospital with serious injuries

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a Richmond man accused of setting a house fire that killed three family members and critically injured a fourth.

Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega, 32, faces three counts of murder, with special enhancements tied to the deaths of an adult victim and two minor victims. A fourth victim, an adult woman, remains hospitalized with serious injuries; Rivera-Vega is charged separately with arson causing great bodily injury in connection with her injuries. All four victims are related to the suspect.

As previously reported, Richmond police and firefighters responded to a house fire in the 200 block of 15th Street on the evening of August 18th, at approximately 8:58 p.m. Detectives investigating the blaze identified Rivera-Vega as the person who intentionally set the fire. He was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on August 19th, and the investigation continued in the days that followed.

The case was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review today, Friday, August 21st, and charges were filed with Contra Costa Superior Court that same day. If convicted, the enhancements attached to the murder charges would carry a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

“This fire is devastating for the entire family,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “Knowing the suspect is related to the victims — including two children — makes this loss even harder to comprehend this senseless act. Our thoughts are with the family and the community affected by this tragedy. Just know that my office is committed to following the law and holding the suspect fully accountable.”

Rivera-Vega is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on August 24th at 1:30 p.m. at the A.F. Bray Courts Building Annex in Martinez. He remains in custody in lieu of $2,500,000 bail.

Case No. 02-26-01475 | The People of the State of California v. Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega

See 02-26-01475 – Charging Document

Read More