Contra Costa Herald

A San Pablo Police Officer with the armed felon’s gun Tuesday night, Sept. 16, 2025. Photo: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

Tuesday night, Sept. 16, 2025, an alert citizen reported a suspicious vehicle circling the block and possibly casing vehicles. Officers arrived on scene and located the vehicle. As officers approached the vehicle, the driver got out of the vehicle and began to run away from officers.

Officers were able to detain the suspect and during a search of the vehicle they located a loaded handgun.

The driver is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms. The driver was arrested and booked into county jail.

We would like to thank our community for being vigilant.

One of two cars impounded following a street racing incident in early September. Photo: Danville PD

By Danville Police Department

Earlier this month, Danville Police officers observed two vehicles racing at nearly double the posted 30 MPH speed limit on San Ramon Valley Boulevard.

One driver was stopped at the scene, while the second vehicle was later identified through license plate reader technology and impounded for 30 days.

We remain committed to keeping our community safe and will take strong enforcement action against reckless driving and street racing.

85 DUI incidents in 2025 so far

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

Impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of preventable traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities across the nation—and right here in our own community. Thus far in 2025, we have had 85 DUI incidents, fourteen alone in the month of August. This presents a serious and potentially fatal risk for everyone, including those driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

To combat this ongoing threat and to keep our roadways safe, Pleasant Hill PD will be directing a DUI Enforcement Operation this week. Officers will be deployed throughout the city focusing on identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roads.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department encourages everyone to:

Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Seek-out designated drivers, rideshare services, or public transportation

Report suspected drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1

Talk to friends and family about the risks of impaired driving

This operation is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing traffic injuries and deaths.

Photos: Walnut Creek PD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

Can you help us identify this mail theft suspect?

The Walnut Creek Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual shown in these photos. He is suspected of stealing mail from multiple mailboxes in the area (Case #25-26672).

If you recognize him or have any information, please contact Officer Romero at bromero@walnutcreekpd.com

Prefer to stay anonymous? You can leave a tip by calling our tip line at 925-943-5865.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe!

By Concord Police Department

Last night, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, around 10:20 pm, Concord Police Department officers were dispatched to John Muir Concord Medical Center when three males arrived with gunshot wounds after being driven there by friends. CPD determined that a shooting had just occurred in the municipal parking garage on Salvio Street.

A suspect vehicle was quickly identified and the information shared with other law enforcement partners. Deputies from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle driving in Bay Point where they conducted a traffic stop and detained the occupants.

The three shooting victims are all in stable condition and expected to survive. Concord Police Department detectives are still investigating the incident and trying to determine motives behind the shooting and if there are any other persons involved. Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Detective Espino at (925) 671-3426.

The Golden Hills Art Ministry is excited to present 1 Peter: A Collection of Works

Tickets available until 9/20

Join Golden Hills Community Church Art Ministry on September 27, from 10 am – 1:00 pm, for 1 Peter: A Collection of Works, featuring original visual art, poetry, food art and music by GHCC artists.

Why does a work of art have value?

“Because a work of art is a work of creativity, and creativity has value because God is the Creator,” explained Francis A. Schaeffer, American theologian and pastor. The Golden Hills Art Ministry agrees and exists to glorify God through the creation and appreciation of art. So we invite you to join us at this year’s Art Exhibition to enjoy creations by artists from our church and inspired by our sermon series in 1 Peter.  Come behold art, hear artists’ insights about their creative process, and engage with others. This family-friendly event includes refreshments and the opportunity to participate in hands-on creativity in our new community art room.

Enjoy light refreshments and a Community Art Room for all ages.

The deadline to pre-order the art collection book has passed. A limited number of books will be available for purchase at the Exhibition for $25.

This family-friendly event includes refreshments and the opportunity to participate in hands-on creativity in our new community art room. All are welcome!

This is the last week to purchase tickets for the upcoming Art Exhibition and are available until Saturday, Sept. 20 at Art Exhibition 2025 | Golden Hills Community Church. Ticket sales are final and non-refundable but can be transferred to another person.

Adult Admission (age 18+) $10.00

Teen Admission (ages 13-17) $8.00

Youth Admission (ages 6-12) $5.00

Child Admission (ages 0-5) No charge.

Golden Hills Community Church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood. For more information visit www.goldenhills.org, email info@goldenhills.org or call 925-516-0653.

NCQA annual report card gives the HMO 4.5 out of 5 stars

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the national evaluator of health insurance plans, has once again recognized Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) as one of the highest rated health plans in the nation and among the best in California for patient experience and quality of care.

Among health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering Medi-Cal, CCHP was one of the top three plans in California to be awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest level awarded this year, on NCQA’s annual report card.

CCHP was also one of just 14 Medicaid plans in the United States to receive 4.5 out of 5 stars, achieving exceptionally high marks among patients for treatment and preventative care including children and women’s care and cancer screening.

“Being recognized among the nation’s top health plans is a huge accomplishment for our staff, providers and partners,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This rating shows that our community trusts and values the care that we provide and encourages us to keep pushing towards our goal to deliver high-quality care and improve the health of our community.”

For over 50 years, Contra Costa Health has provided high-quality, affordable coverage through CCHP. CCHP was the nation’s first federally qualified, state-licensed, county-sponsored HMO.

“I’m so proud of the work this team has done to enable us to get this excellent rating and to serve the people of Contra Costa County,” Contra Costa Health CEO Dr Grant Colfax said. “We will continue to address community health priorities, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together in this next year.”

CCHP’s high marks and recognition by NCQA are a direct result of the exemplary care and patient support provided by Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, community clinics in CCHP’s community provider network, and CCH’s Public Health and Behavioral Health divisions. Altogether, CCHP touches about 271,000 members, including 265,000 Medi-Cal enrollees.

Visit Contra Costa Health Plan to learn more about CCHP, including how to enroll if you need healthcare, or call 1-800-211-8040 weekdays.

About NCQA: NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

The suspect was arrested with stolen checks and counterfeit postal keys. Photos: Brentwood PD

36-year-old Adam Lew also caught during traffic stop with drugs, has history of arrests since 2013; held on $95K bail

By Brentwood Police Department

On the morning of September 14th, one of our officers contacted 36-year-old Adam Alexander Lew (Pittsburg – born 7-21-1989) during a traffic stop. Lew did not have a valid driver’s license and our officers saw drug paraphernalia in the pocket of the driver’s door.

A search of Lew and of the vehicle revealed suspected narcotics, additional drug paraphernalia, counterfeit postal keys used to steal mail out of mailboxes, and stolen checks that were in the process of being forged. Further investigation revealed at least one of the checks was stolen in mid-August in the city of Folsom.

Lew was booked into jail on several charges including possession of stolen property, forgery, and identity theft. This case highlights the importance of collaboration between laws enforcement and the community in stopping crime.

According to localcrimenews.com, Lew has a history of arrest dating back to 2013 by multiple agencies, including Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek and Folsom Police Departments and Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County Sheriffs’ Departments, for a variety of crimes. They include burglary, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, forgery, check fraud, trespassing and drug possession.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 175-pound suspect is being held in the West County Detention Facility and is being held on $95,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini Jr. knows 44-year-old Brentwood victim; released from hospital with serious injuries

By Lt. Bill Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 1:29 PM, Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the 3500 block of Lone Tree Way. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old female victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was stabilized at the scene by paramedics before she was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive. (See related article)

On Wednesday, September 17, Antioch Police Department detectives arrested the suspect, 47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini, Jr. of Brentwood, without incident for this shooting. Antioch Police detectives also executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Brentwood in connection with this shooting. Evidence from the home was collected.

Asked about the victim, Lt. Whitaker said, “She had surgery and was discharged from the hospital about a week later. She still has serious injuries.”

Asked if the two know each other and if it was a marital issue, he said, “They do know each other but we’re not releasing any other information. It’s still under investigation.”

This information is made available by the Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or Antioch Police Dispatch at (925) 778-2441. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

No additional information about Belini could be found in online search. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Crockett-based company will pay $500K in penalties & costs

By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton announced Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, a settlement with C&H Sugar Company Inc. for odor violations in 2022.

The emissions violations by C&H Sugar occurred on various dates between September 8th and October 14th, 2022, at a wastewater treatment plant the company jointly owns at Dowrelio Drive in the unincorporated community of Crockett.

Operational disruptions at the wastewater treatment plant generated excessive sewage odors that adversely affected Crockett residents. The problem was exacerbated by unusually high temperatures in the area during those periods.

Following an investigation by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for enforcement action.

“Working with BAAQMD during this process produced a compliance framework to help prevent future public nuisances,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “C&H Sugar was cooperative throughout the process and agreed to specific enhanced compliance measures.”

The judgment provides for $400,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in costs and C&H Sugar will implement the following compliance measures: purchase and install a backup generator, replacement of existing diffuser heads in all three reactors, upgrade the “Blowers” including replacement or refurbishment of the motors, complete comprehensive internal audit of operations and establish 24-hour toll-free community hotline.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office works closely with environmental regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with air quality standards and protect public health throughout the county.

Case No. C25-02616 | The People of the State of California v. C&H Sugar Company, Inc.