Contra Costa Herald

Has history of arrests; released from custody Thursday back in custody Friday

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

Martinez, California – An Oakland resident faces five felony charges for his role in an organized theft ring connected to a series of burglaries in Concord.

The charges stem from a series of burglaries that occurred in Concord between April and July 2026 located in the Ygnacio and Clayton Valley region. Concord Police found that an organized group of juveniles carried out around 37 burglaries in that area. Richmond Police arrested the juvenile suspects for vehicle theft in May, and a subsequent investigation revealed they were part of a fencing operation led by 37-year-old Wuillian Heriberto Cordova-Cubias. Fencing operations are a hallmark of organized theft rings, which buy stolen goods from thieves and resell them to the public.

On August 5th law enforcement officers from the Concord Police Department, Oakland Police Department, and U.S. Marshals Service executed a search warrant at Cordova-Cubias’s Oakland residence. When officers entered the home, they located numerous items of suspected stolen property, including at least 500 power tools.  (See related article)

After law enforcement referred the case for review, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office today filed a complaint in Superior Court against Cordova-Cubias. He faces the following charges:

• Receiving stolen property, including power tools, survey equipment, motor vehicles, and pipe inspection equipment
• Two counts of receiving stolen motor vehicles (a utility ATV and a forklift)
• Unlawful firearm activity
• Conspiracy to commit a crime with juvenile conspirators

All charges include enhancements that increase the potential penalties.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “As organized theft offenses have increased, my office has responded by building an effective Organized Theft Unit that works closely with law enforcement to file strong cases we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Concord Police Department’s thorough investigation into these burglaries and the fencing operation reflects the kind of collaboration that holds individuals accountable.”

Cordova-Cubias was in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and will appear for arraignment in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez on August 10th at 1:30 pm. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, as of Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 09:28 AM he had bonded out of custody. UPDATE: However, according to Asregadoo, he’s “not out of custody anymore. He was brought back in earlier today.”

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 240-pound Cordova-Cubias is Hispanic and has been arrested at least five other times for guns, drugs and violent crimes including battery and threats of violence, and receiving or concealing stolen property.

According to the Oakland Police, he was arrested in February 2020 “after a month-long investigation…charged…with possession of a firearm, possession of controlled substance, and possession of roughly 250 stolen power tools, worth an estimated $300,000. The suspect sold some of the items at flea markets in Oakland and San Jose.” (See video)

Case No. 01-26-04086 | The People of the State of California v. Wuillian Cordova-Cubias

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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4th juvenile already in jail

Also responsible for approximately 40 more burglaries in other cities; property valued at over $250,000

Multi-agency effort

By Concord Police Department

In May of 2026, the Concord Police Department’s Major Case Unit initiated an investigation into a vehicle and residential burglary series that occurred between late April and June. The suspects in these cases broke into vehicles, typically during the early morning hours, and would often use garage door openers located inside the vehicles to enter the associated garages in search of additional power tools.

In May of 2026, surveillance video captured the same suspects, armed with firearms, pointing a firearm at the interior door leading from the garage into a residence, in apparent anticipation of a homeowner exiting the residence. The suspects stole various power tools and, during one burglary, stole 14 firearms from a residential garage.

Also in May, a Concord Police officer located a possible suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated but later terminated due to public safety concerns.

During a subsequent burglary series in June, Concord PD officers located a different suspect vehicle, which fled from pursuing officers and eluded capture.

In an additional, separate burglary series in June, the juveniles fled the scene of a burglary, became involved in a vehicle collision and fled on foot. The juveniles again eluded capture; however, another firearm was recovered.

In late June of 2026, working in conjunction with the Richmond Police Department, Concord PD detectives identified four juveniles believed to be involved in the burglaries. One of the juveniles was already in custody at Juvenile Hall for an unrelated incident that did not occur in the City of Concord. Arrest and search warrants were granted for the three remaining juveniles.

In July of 2026, simultaneous arrest and search warrants were executed by the Concord Police Department SWAT Team, with assistance from the Antioch Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Central County SWAT and the U.S. Marshals Service. All three outstanding suspects were arrested during the operation. During searches of their residences, two firearms stolen during a Concord burglary were recovered. A third stolen firearm was previously recovered by the Richmond Police Department during its investigation.

Ultimately, the suspects were identified as being responsible for 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in the City of Concord, as well as approximately 40 additional burglaries in various other cities throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. The crimes also included multiple vehicle thefts, with the suspects using stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed complaints against the three juveniles. Their names are not being released, consistent with state law.

Further investigation by Concord PD detectives showed the suspects communicated with 37-year-old Wuillian Cordova-Cubias of Oakland. Cordova-Cubias was identified as purchasing tools from the suspects on multiple occasions, often immediately following the burglaries.

An arrest warrant for Cordova-Cubias and a search warrant for his residence were sought and granted. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oakland Police Department, Concord PD detectives arrested Cordova-Cubias at his residence in Oakland. During a search of the residence, detectives located an extremely large quantity of power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm, and numerous other high-value items. The property was valued at approximately $250,000.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Organized Retail Theft Unit filed criminal charges against Cordova-Cubias for the following:

Penal Code § 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property

Penal Code § 496d(a) – Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

Penal Code § 182(a) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

Penal Code § 29805(c) – Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

Cordova-Cubias was booked into the Concord Police Department Jail and transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, as of Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 09:28 AM he had bonded out of custody. UPDATE: However, according to Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo, Cordova-Cubias “not out of custody anymore. He was brought back in earlier today,” Friday, Aug. 7.

The Concord Police Department remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat crime throughout our region. Multiple agencies assisted with this investigation, including:

Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg and Oakland Police Departments, Central County SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 240-pound Cordova-Cubias is Hispanic and has been arrested at least five other times for guns, drugs and violent crimes including battery and threats of violence, as well as receiving or concealing stolen property.

For additional information, please visit the Concord Police Department’s social media platforms for a video overview of the investigation. (Instagram: @ConcordPD).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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Suspect mailed and made other threats, also conspired with co-defendant to distribute controlled substances, maintain drug lab in Richmond

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Joel Rowland Dowen was sentenced today, Friday, August 7, 2026, to eighteen years in federal prison, for engaging in a violent extortion scheme, shooting at a federal officer, drug dealing and bank fraud.  Co-defendant Micah-Luc Almeida was sentenced to three years in federal prison for conspiring to deal drugs with Dowen.  United States District Judge Jon S. Tigar handed down the sentence. He faced a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three charges against him.

Dowen, 46, of Concord, California, and Almeida, 47, of San Francisco, California were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on March 26, 2024.  As previously reported, Dowen was charged with mailing threatening communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 376(b) and assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(b); both Dowen and Almeida were charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); and Almeida was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute MDA, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1).  Dowen was separately charged in 2025 with bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344.  The defendants pleaded guilty to all counts.

In their plea agreements, Dowen and Almeida admitted that from 2020 to 2024 they conspired to manufacture and distribute large quantities of federally controlled substances, including MDA and psilocin.  Dowen and Almeida maintained a drug manufacturing laboratory in Richmond, California, from where law enforcement seized hundreds of kilograms of waste material from attempted drug manufacturing.

Dowen also admitted to engaging in a pattern of threats and violence against a victim and their family to extort the victim for millions of dollars and a drug-manufacturing recipe.  Dowen arranged for three individuals to violently assault the victim’s elderly father (then 80 years old) in his home, causing life-threatening injuries.  After the assault, Dowen continued to threaten the victim and other members of the victim’s family and set the victim’s home on fire. When law enforcement came to arrest Dowen in 2024, he shot at them with a handgun through the front door as they were breaching the entrance, hitting one DEA agent’s protective shield.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar sentenced both Dowen and Almeida to a 3-year period of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime Section.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lina Peng and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Karmel handled the case, with assistance from Legal Administrative Specialist Sara Slattery and Legal Assistant Freya Picciotto. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, IRS-CI (Criminal Investigations), ATF, FBI, HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) and U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the Concord Police Department.

According to localcrimenews.com, Dowen is white, five-foot, seven-inches tall and weighs 280-pounds.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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U.S. News & World Report’s annual study rates Kaiser hospitals among nation’s best for providing high-quality, specialized care

Antioch, Richmond ranked Best Regional Hospitals and among best in state

By Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, CA – Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s hospitals are nationally recognized as “high performing” for treating complex medical conditions and procedures including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals annual study rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals as among the top 30% of hospitals in the nation for at least one of the 37 measures evaluated.

Approximately 4,500 hospitals participated in the study, which analyzes performance in 14 specialty care areas and 23 procedures and conditions. The “high performing” designation honors those hospitals that deliver high-quality care when treating complex medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, colorectal cancer surgery, stroke, and diabetes.

Kaiser Permanente hospitals are consistently recognized as among the top hospitals in the nation for providing high-quality, safe patient care that leads to improved health outcomes.

“Kaiser Permanente continues to be a national leader in preventing disease, providing world-class treatment, and using evidence-based research to help our patients and members live longer and healthy lives,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our clinicians and staff are delivering exceptional care to our patients every day getting them the right care when they need it.”

Top hospitals in California

Eight Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are designated by U.S. News & World Report as “Best Regional Hospitals” and are ranked among the best in the state: Antioch, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Roseville and South Sacramento.

Three Kaiser Permanente hospitals are also ranked among the top 50 in the nation for providing high-quality specialty care:

• San Francisco is ranked 34th for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
• Santa Clara is ranked 42nd for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
• Vallejo is ranked 45th for rehabilitation

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa is also rated high-performing nationally for its geriatric care.

“Everything we do is centered around making sure our patients receive high-quality and high-value care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “This recognition underscores the strength of our integrated model and the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams, who provide compassionate, evidence-based care for our members and patients every day.”

In its hospital analysis, U.S. News & World Report uses publicly available data such as volume, mortality rates, infection rates, staffing levels, and patient satisfaction rates, among other factors.

The annual ratings and rankings are designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

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Investigation, recovery effort results in return of almost $700K

Suspect based in Nigeria

By Toni Baldazo, City of Pittsburg Community Engagement Officer

The City of Pittsburg is reporting a February 2026 phishing incident that resulted in a single unauthorized ACH payment totaling $913,839.81 being sent to a fraudulent account spoofing as a known City vendor. The incident occurred on February 12, 2026, and was identified by City staff on February 17, 2026, prompting immediate action. The City informed the Pittsburg Police Department who expanded the response team to include the County of Contra Costa and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, phishing is when scammers use email or text messages to try to trick people into giving them personal and financial information to steal passwords, account numbers or Social Security numbers. They are then able access to email, bank and other accounts.

“The instant this incident was identified as fraudulent by City staff, the City’s Police Department acted quickly and immediately froze the account to which the funds were electronically wired,” said Pittsburg Police Chief Phil Galer. “Given the nature of this cybercrime, we contacted related agencies and the FBI to tap all available resources.”

The swift action of the Pittsburg Police Department resulted in the initial recovery of $696,241.00 dollars.  The City is pursuing insurance coverage payment for the remaining $217,598.00, through its cyber and crime insurance policies. The investigation involved several sensitive and intricate components, requiring a number of complex investigative steps over a period of time, to maximize the recovery of funds and to seek identification of the perpetrators.  It included 18 search warrants involving 116 accounts across major technology companies, financial institutions and telecommunications providers. Evidence identified the primary overseas suspect responsible for compromising the City’s email system is based in Nigeria with at least two criminally affiliated U.S.-based suspects. The investigation remains active as the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have accepted the case for continued investigation domestically and overseas.

“The Pittsburg Police Department remains committed to pursuing every available lead and ensuring the highest level of protection for our city operations,” Chief Galer added.

While the investigation is ongoing with the FBI and related agency partners, it has now reached a point where public disclosure will not compromise the investigation.

In response to the incident, the City immediately implemented new processes to further strengthen internal controls related to financial processes. This includes improvements to digital and human procedures including ACH payment verification processes, and controls within financial workflows, as well as modifications to IT staffing. These enhanced measures reflect significant internal analysis and reinforce the City’s commitment to strong cybersecurity practices that protect public resources.

“Sadly, Pittsburg has joined a long list of public agencies successfully targeted by international crime rings with cyber-based financial crimes. This crime is both upsetting and a hard lesson for how we can improve our security. I share the community’s disappointment that criminals were able to exploit our systems,” said Mayor Dionne Adams. “While this was a difficult moment, the City acted immediately to recover as much of the stolen funds as possible and tightened cybersecurity measures and procedures. I thank Pittsburg PD for their swift action and the law enforcement agency partners that helped us throughout this process.”

The city encourages residents and partners to remain vigilant about cybersecurity threats. City leadership will continue to evolve its internal systems in response to the expanding threats of cybercrime attacks to safeguard public funds and operations.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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Advice from pediatric experts across Sutter Health on helping children and teens thrive this school year.

By Monique Binkley-Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

The countdown to a new school year has begun. For many families, that means shopping for supplies, filling out forms and preparing for busy schedules. It’s also the perfect time to reset healthy habits.

Pediatricians across Sutter Health share 11 back-to-school tips to help children and teens stay healthy, focused and ready to learn.

1. Start adjusting sleep schedules now

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the night before school starts to reset bedtime.

“As the school year approaches, it’s time to start adjusting your sleep routine,” says Dr. Dan Brennan, Greater Central Coast Children’s Service Line medical director with Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Group in Santa Barbara. “In the weeks leading up to the start of school, start moving bedtime up by 15 minutes a night until you get to the expected school-year bedtime.”

1. Know how much sleep children really need

Adequate sleep helps regulate metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, promote positive mood and behavior, and support memory retention and mental alertness needed for academic success, says Dr. Jessica Tsai, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Antioch.

Dr. Rakhi Mehrotra, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Livermore, also recommends helping kids and teens stay on track by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends.

Drs. Tsai and Mehrotra recommend the following hours of sleep by age:

• Preschoolers: 10-13 hours daily, including naps
• Children age 6-12: 9-12 hours nightly
• Teens: 8-10 hours nightly

1. Fuel kids for learning and growth

Healthy eating habits help children get the nutrients they need for energy, growth, focus and overall well-being, according to Dr. Mehrotra.

She recommends:

• Starting the day with breakfast
• Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy each day
• Choosing colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the week
• Filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with whole grains and one-quarter with healthy protein
• Choosing healthy snacks such as fruit, yogurt, nuts, vegetables and whole-grain options

1. Make water the beverage of choice

Hydration becomes especially important as children spend more time outdoors and return to sports.

“With kids outside more, we want to encourage families to provide as much hydration as possible, water being our first choice,” explains Dr. Brennan.

Sugary and caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages work against hydration and generally lead to more dehydration, he notes.

1. Encourage kids to get moving

Physical activity supports both physical and mental health.

“Whether it’s organized sports, riding bikes, walking the dog or playing at the park, daily physical activity supports both physical and mental health,” says Dr. David Tejeda, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco.

For children interested in organized athletics, Dr. Brennan suggests recreational sports leagues and individual activities such as swimming, running, biking, gymnastics, and rock climbing.

1. Avoid specializing in one sport too soon

Playing the same sport year-round may sound like a path to success, but pediatricians often see the downside.

“I discourage my pediatric patients from specializing in one sport too early,” emphasizes Dr. Brennan. “High-level athletes benefit from cross training that comes with playing a variety of sports.”

He notes that children who play one sport year-round can develop chronic overuse injuries.

1. Prepare young athletes before the season begins

As children return to practices, tryouts and games, Dr. Anita Juvvadi, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco, encourages families to focus on the basics:

• Increase activity gradually before organized practices begin
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Prioritize consistent sleep
• Eat enough to support increased activity

“The body needs time to acclimate to new movement and sustained activity,” she says.

1. Warm up the right way

Before sports and physical activity, Dr. Liang Xue, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Brentwood, recommends active, dynamic warm-ups rather than static stretching.

Dynamic warm-ups use movements such as jogging, skipping, lunges and arm circles to increase blood flow, raise body temperature and prepare muscles and joints for activity.

In contrast, holding static stretches before exercise may temporarily reduce strength and power. Saving static stretching for after activity, when muscles are warm, can help improve flexibility and support recovery.

1. Protect growing bodies and brains

Protective gear matters, according to Dr. Brennan.

“A helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter can protect that precious brain, and don’t forget to buckle the helmet,” he advises.

He also cautions parents about e-bikes and electric scooters, which account for a growing number of serious injuries, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

“When possible, skip the electric version and stick to good old-fashioned pedaling,” he says.

1. Know the signs of concussion

As children return to school sports, parents should familiarize themselves with concussion symptoms.

Dr. Angela Lumba-Brown, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Palo Alto, reminds parents to watch for:

• Worsening headaches
• Repeated vomiting
• Balance problems
• Seizures
• Neck pain
• Unusual behavior

“If a concussion is suspected, children should be removed from play and evaluated before returning to sports,” she says.

1. Don’t forget vaccines and sun protection

The start of the school year is an ideal time to review routine immunizations.

“Vaccines save lives and keep children healthy by building immunity to many serious viral and bacterial infections,” advises Dr. Brennan.

He stresses the importance of families staying up to date on routine vaccinations and annual flu vaccines.

For outdoor activities, Dr. Yvonne Nicole Lee, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Santa Clara, recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, hats, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses. Sunscreen should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.

The Bottom Line

Healthy school years don’t happen by accident. Good sleep, nutritious meals, physical activity, hydration, injury prevention and routine healthcare all work together to help children learn, grow and thrive.

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By Brentwood Police Department

On July 21, 2026, Brentwood Police Department Motor Officers, Community Service Officers (CSOs), and School Resource Officers (SROs) conducted a focused enforcement operation targeting the unlawful use of disabled parking spaces throughout our community.

During the operation, officers and staff issued 66 citations and made 5 arrests.

Accessible parking spaces are reserved for individuals who rely on them due to their limited mobility. Misusing a disabled parking space or placard isn’t just against the law—it takes away access from those who truly need it.

Thank you to everyone who follows the law and helps keep these spaces available for our community members with disabilities. We will continue conducting enforcement efforts to ensure these designated parking spaces remain accessible to those they are intended to serve.

See video.

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

In September 2024, the Orinda Police Department investigated a death case involving a 20-year-old Orinda resident. The cause of death was later determined to be ‘acute fentanyl and para-flurofentanyl intoxication.’

During the course of the investigation, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office determined where the drugs were purchased and later identified the suspect who sold them to the victim.

Detectives secured a Ramey arrest warrant for the suspect who was arrested on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. He is identified as 26-year-old Ulzii Orshikh Batsukh (born 9/6/1999) of the city of Alameda. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge.

Thursday afternoon, detectives filed the case with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office which formally charged Batsukh with murder for selling narcotics laced with fentanyl that led to the death of the Orinda resident. He is being held without bail although it’s been set at $1 million.

Batsukh is listed as five-feet, seven-inches tall, 145-pounds and as Asian-Pacific Islander.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in October 2025 by Hayward Police for DUI.

Anyone with any information on this case 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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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37-year-old Vincent Jeremy Delgado has a history of arrests

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, August 5, 2026, Pleasant Hill Police Patrol officers responded to the report of a possible residential burglary in progress in the area of Gail Drive and Bridgewater Way. The homeowner advised they were seeing an unknown subject and animal inside their residence via a surveillance camera. Officers responded to the area and while setting up a perimeter, they contacted a male suspect and his dog fleeing the residence from the rear yard.

Vincent Jeremy Delgado, 37 years old of Martinez (born 10/26/1988) was quickly detained while officers conducted their investigation. With the help of our Patrol Drone Team as well as a Pittsburg PD K-9, the residence was cleared and officers confirmed Delgado had forced his way into the residence. Delgado was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on Burglary charges!

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 185-pound Delgado is Hispanic is being held in thee West County Detention Facility with bail set at $50,000 but on a no bail Parole Hold.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has history of arrests dating back to 2015 for burglary, drug charges, receiving or concealing stolen property, vandalism of $5,000 or more, the manufacture, import or sale of Nunchucks and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.

This investigation was a great example of collaboration between our residents, patrol teams, and outside agencies. Thanks for the assist, Pittsburg Police!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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Brings proven record of securing park funding, protecting land, and expanding public access

OAKLAND, Calif. – Twenty-seven years ago, Max Korten was a young ranger in the Sierra Nevada, leading campfire talks for the U.S. Forest Service. Today, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors voted 6-0 to appoint him General Manager, putting him at the helm of one of the largest regional park systems in the country. Korten has served as Acting General Manager since November 2025.

“Max has demonstrated steady, thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to the East Bay Regional Park District’s mission, employees, and the communities we serve,” said Olivia Sanwong, president of the Board of Directors and representative for Ward 5. “The Board is confident that his experience, collaborative approach, and clear vision will guide the Park District forward as we expand access to nature, preserve our rich heritage of natural and cultural resources, provide meaningful environmental education, and ensure that an environmental ethic continues to guide all that we do. We are pleased to appoint him as general manager and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Korten joined the Park District as Deputy General Manager in October 2024. From the start, he worked closely with teams across the District to resolve challenges and build a more cohesive organization. Korten has worked diligently to build trust between the Board and staff through increased communication, transparency, and engagement. His accomplishments include collaborating with union leaders to reach an agreement on a new telework policy and working with neighboring city officials to preserve the historic Flag Barn in Brentwood. Korten is currently supporting staff and partners in efforts to reduce traffic on Del Valle Road in Livermore and is working with the Trust for Public Land, state leaders, and the cities of Berkeley and Albany on the potential acquisition of Golden Gate Fields.

Before joining the Park District, Korten spent 10 years at Marin County Parks, the last eight as director and general manager, leading an agency responsible for 34 open space preserves, 45 parks, and about 150 employees on a $35 million annual operating budget. He reported directly to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and worked with nine commissions and board-appointed committees.

During his tenure at Marin County Parks, Korten led the passage of the 2022 renewal of Measure A, the countywide sales tax that funds park maintenance, wildfire fuel reduction, farmland preservation, and public access, winning voter approval by about 75%. He also worked to eliminate park entrance fees, an initiative that aimed to expand equitable public access. He was also successful in passing a $20 million acquisition bond measure.

Looking ahead, Korten has prioritized aligning the Park District’s fire, stewardship, and operations teams around a cohesive vegetation management strategy. The effort includes mapping wildfire risk and habitat opportunities across the Park District for the first time. He is also leading development of District planning to support the Board in establishing shared goals and strategies to guide implementation in the years ahead.

“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity, and I don’t take it lightly,” Korten said. “The Park District is a special place, and I’ve learned so much from the people who came before me. These parks are meant to be here forever, for everyone, and my focus is on keeping the organization strong so we can protect these resources while making sure they remain accessible and welcoming to all.”

Earlier in his career, Korten served as a wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, as natural resources program director for Conservation Corps North Bay, and as a backcountry ranger and trail crew supervisor for the Bureau of Land Management.

Korten holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in natural resources from Humboldt State University. He lives with his family in Berkeley, where he is a regular on the trails of Tilden Regional Park.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

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