Contra Costa Herald

Surveillance video footage shows about 20 masked suspects entered Heller Jewelers in San Ramon for the smash and grab armed robbery on Monday. Screenshot surce: Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) on X

Several of 20 suspects detained following chases into Oakland, Dublin  

By Lt. Mike Pistello, San Ramon Police Department

On Monday, September 22, 2025, at 1:50 p.m., San Ramon Police Department personnel responded to Heller Jewelers, located at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, for a take-over style armed robbery. Approximately 20 masked individuals entered the store and began smashing display cases, taking numerous items. Several suspects were armed with handguns, and at least one suspect fired rounds through the front entrance. Fortunately, no one was injured, and there is no ongoing danger to the public.

The suspects fled the scene in awaiting cars they had staged in the City Center valet parking area. San Ramon Police Officers pursued some of the involved vehicles but terminated due to the inherent danger to the public and because of air support was overhead and available to continue tracking the suspect vehicle.

Law Enforcement air support tracked the suspects through Contra Costa and into Alameda County. Several suspects were detained at two locations in Oakland and a second location in Dublin.

See surveillance camera and drone video footage included in the NBC Bay Area which reported police said the thieves “helped themselves to more than $1 million of fine jewelry.”

San Ramon Detectives will tirelessly continue their investigation into this incident and ask anyone who may have witnessed the robbery to contact Detective Corporal Kevin Tjahjadi at (925) 733-7316.

The San Ramon Police Department would like to thank the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland Police Department for their assistance. This incident is still under active investigation, and we will not be releasing any additional information until it is appropriate, as it may compromise the ongoing investigative efforts.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Effective immediately, MDRR’s residential recycling program will officially accept #2 plastic squeeze tubes in the blue recycling cart.

By Nicole Impagliazzo, Executive Director, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery

Pittsburg, California – Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (MDRR), an industry-leading company dedicated to diverting as much material as possible from landfills, is excited to announce a partnership with Colgate-Palmolive and Glacier robotics to gather data on the recovery of recyclable plastic squeeze tubes.

Colgate-Palmolive, an innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets, and our planet, pioneered the development of a first-of-its-kind recyclable tube made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same No. 2 plastic used for milk and detergent bottles, which launched in 2019. The company shared its patented technology and approach with tube suppliers, other brands, and interested parties. As of 2025, it is estimated that approximately 95% of toothpaste tubes and 85% of all HDPE tubes are designed for recycling, based on industry data compiled by Stina Inc., which leads the Plastic Squeeze Tube Recycling Project.

Now, using Glacier’s AI-powered cameras, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery will be able to collect real-time data on toothpaste tubes and other non-toothpaste tubes—like lotion and shampoo—coming through the facility.

“We are excited to partner with Colgate and Glacier. It represents a significant step forward in our mission to divert as much material as possible from landfills. By leveraging advanced technology, we can improve our recycling and communication practices and contribute to a greener future.” Kish Rajan, MDRR, CEO

Recycle Your Squeeze Tubes – Residential Program Expansion Alert!

Effective immediately, MDRR’s residential recycling program will officially accept #2 plastic squeeze tubes in the blue recycling cart.

#2 Lotion, Toothpaste, Sunscreen, and Cosmetic plastic squeeze tubes now go into the blue!

Before placing them in your cart, please be sure they are:

• Plastic (no metal tubes)
• As empty as possible
• With the cap on

Tubes should be placed loose in your blue recycling cart, not bagged.

This program expansion means that more of the items you use daily can stay out of the landfill and enter a recovery pathway, supporting a cleaner, greener community for everyone.

About Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery:

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery serves our customers, communities, and environment responsibly by optimizing the use of discarded materials.

Today, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery serves over 250,000 residents and thousands of businesses throughout Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano Counties. It combines excellence in customer service with competitive rates and operates recycling and recovery programs designed to increase sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery’s Material Resource Facility in Pittsburg, California, contains the area’s largest state-of-the-art recycling processing center and C+D line to keep items out of the landfill.

Our company continues to grow and change to prepare our communities for the future. Consistent with our business values, we invest in programs and technology that maximize diversion and maintain customer convenience and service.

Photo source: Hartog, Baer & Hand on LinkedIn

By Matt J. Malone, Chief Counsel and PIO, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa Superior Court is pleased to announce that Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Commissioner Andrew R. Verriere as the Court’s newest judge. He assumed his new role today and will preside in Department 11. His first judicial assignment will be at the George D. Carroll Courthouse in Richmond.

Judge Verriere has served the Court as a Commissioner since May 1, 2023, handling traffic, unlawful detainer, small claims, and domestic violence and civil harassment restraining order matters. While a Commissioner, he worked with the California Judges Association on proposed legislation to amend Penal Code section 1050 in infraction cases, helped establish a guardian ad litem roster for defendants in limited jurisdiction civil cases, and worked with the Traffic Committee to provide improved language access for traffic defendants who communicate primarily in languages other than English.

Prior to serving as Commissioner, Judge Verriere worked as a trial and appellate litigator in civil and probate matters. He was most recently a principal at Hartog, Baer, Zabronsky & Verriere APC, focusing on trust and estate litigation, conservatorship litigation, financial elder abuse, related litigation, and appeals. A highly-regarded speaker and instructor, he has presented to numerous trade organizations on topics of fiduciary duty, financial elder abuse, and discovery dispute resolution. Judge Verriere is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

Judge Verriere graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law and obtained his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brian F. Haynes.

Photo: Brentwood Union School District

Concealed in student’s backpack

By Lindzie Laughridge, Community Engagement Officer, City of Brentwood

BRENTWOOD, CA- This morning, September 23rd, 2025, at approximately 8:15AM, Adams Middle School staff were alerted to a report of a student on campus who was in possession of a firearm concealed in their backpack. The Brentwood Police Department was immediately contacted and our School Resource Officer responded to the incident.

Upon further investigation, the firearm was determined to be real, and the student was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Juvenile Hall for booking.

We are working closely with Adams Middle School, the District, and the involved parents, to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Our top priority is the safety of students, staff, and the community. We take any report of a weapon on campus extremely seriously and are thankful for the students who reported their concerns, along with the swift response from school staff.

Based on our investigation, this is an isolated incident.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Brentwood Police Department at 925-809-7911.

Faces additional charges of making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury in 2024, preventing wife from calling police in 2023

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

Martinez, California – A 43-year-old Walnut Creek resident was charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office in a double murder.

Howard Wang was scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 pm on September 23rd in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez for the murder of his wife Linlin Guo, and mother-in-law, Beimin Cheng. The murders occurred on September 18th, 2025, at the couple’s residence in Walnut Creek. The charges include special circumstances enhancements for multiple murders. If found guilty by a jury, Wang could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Additional charges against Wang include making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury against Linlin Guo around August 31st, 2024, and preventing Linlin Guo from reporting a crime to law enforcement on January 7th, 2023.  As previously reported, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 183-pound Wang was also arrested on Jan. 7, 2023, by Walnut Creek Police for battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, removing, destroying or damaging a wireless communication device to prevent summoning assistance or law enforcement.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This tragic case is a stark reminder of the devastating toll domestic violence takes — not only on the victims whose lives were lost, but on families and the community as a whole. Our office is committed to aggressively pursuing justice in this case.”

Case No. 01-25-03009 | The People of the State of California v. Howard Wang

See Howard Wang Charging Document

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

44-year-old Michael Lee Patterson was one of 7 arrested during 15-agency Operation Spring Clean in May 2023, including men from Oakley, San Ramon, another from Brentwood

Will also face 10 years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution

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

OAKLAND – Michael Lee Patterson was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, to 103 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography and possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.  U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. handed down the sentence.

As previously reported, Patterson, 44, of Brentwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2024. He pleaded guilty on May 21, 2025, to both counts. According to the plea agreement, Patterson attempted to meet an individual whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl to perform sexual acts on her.  After his arrest the week of May 31, 2023, Patterson was found to be in possession of over 600 videos and 1,000 images containing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Law enforcement also found Patterson in possession of a short-barreled rifle, which he had not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.

Patterson was one of seven men arrested while the Brentwood Police Department hosted the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for an operation targeting adults who were seeking to meet minors for sex with the goal of identifying victims of child sexual abuse. A total of 15 law enforcement agencies participated in “Operation Spring Cleaning,” which encompassed over 1,200 law enforcement work hours throughout the week. The ICAC Task Force seized approximately 40 illegal firearms and 39 electronic devices, executed eight (search warrants, and impounded five vehicles.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Secret Service (USSS) San Francisco Field Office Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Gilliam also sentenced Patterson to a 10-year period of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonah P. Ross is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Claudia Hyslop.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the USSS, ATF, Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Brentwood, Concord and Walnut Creek Police Departments, and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two adult women victims discovered inside residence knew 43-year-old Howard Wang

By Sgt. Mike Watson, Walnut Creek Police

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, at approximately 11:45PM, Walnut Creek Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance with possible gunfire in the 100 block of Kelobra Court. Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult women deceased inside the residence.

Following the initial investigation, on Sept. 19th, an adult male – Howard Chen Hao Wang, 43-year-old resident of Walnut Creek (born 4/21/1982), who was known to both victims – was taken into custody. He was charged with two counts of 187 P.C. Murder, is currently booked at the Martinez Detention Facility and is being held without bail.

At this time, investigators do not believe there are any outstanding suspects and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety. This investigation remains active, and no additional details are available for release.

The Walnut Creek Police Department would like to thank the Concord Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844 or provide information anonymously through the tip line at (925) 943-5865. Case # 25-29002

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 183-pound Wang has his next court appearance in Superior Court, Dept. 5 in Martinez at on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested on Jan. 7, 2023 by Walnut Creek Police for battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, removing, destroying or  damaging a wireless communication device to prevent summoning assistance or law enforcement. He was previously arrested in November 2014 by Coalinga CHP for driving with a suspended license, a restricted view and speed over 70 MPH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

31-year-old Justino Lopez-Perez held on $2.3 million bail, 23-year-old Erickson Melendez arrested last year for violent crimes held on $750K bail; third suspect also arrested

By Concord Police Department

As previously reported, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, shortly after 10:20 PM, three gunshot wound victims arrived at John Muir Medical Center in Concord and reported they were shot while in a parking garage in the 2000 block of Salvio Street in downtown Concord. Patrol officers responded and descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle were developed. These descriptions were shared with area law enforcement agencies. Just over an hour later, deputies from the Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff located the suspect vehicle. From that stop, two occupants were detained and arrested. Detectives from the Investigations Division were called to take over the investigation and continue following up on leads throughout the night and the next day.

On Wednesday, at about 6:30 PM, a third suspect was arrested in relation to the shooting. During the arrest and subsequent search, evidence related to the shooting was found. On Thursday, the Contra Costa County, District Attorney’s Office filed charges related to the shooting.

The following two men were charged with the shooting: Justino Lopez-Perez (31 years old, resident of Bay Point, born 11/16/1993) was charged with 664/187 PC- Attempted murder, 182(a)(1) PC- Conspiracy, 26100(c) PC- Discharge a firearm from a vehicle, 245(b) PC-Assault with a firearm, and use of a firearm enhancements. Erickson Adoni Melendez (23 years old, resident of Concord, born 6/2/2002) was charged with 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy and 26100(c) PC- Discharge a firearm from a vehicle.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, eight-inch tall, 143-pound Lopez-Perez is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $2.3 million bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 1:35 p.m. in Dept. 5, Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Melendez was also arrested on Sept. 15, 2024, by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies for kidnapping, battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, 10-inch tall, 175-pound suspect is also being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $750,000 bail. He has the same court appearance date, time and location as Lopez-Perez.

We would like to thank the deputies from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, staff at John Muir Hospital, and community members who supported and assisted in this investigation. The three men who were shot were treated at area hospitals and are expected to survive. If you have any information about this incident, please contact Detective Enrique Espino at (925) 671-3426.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Joel Lawrence Benitzhar faces maximum sentence of life in prison, $250,000 fine

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

OAKLAND – A criminal complaint was unsealed on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, charging Joel Lawrence Benitzhar with the federal crime of attempted enticement and coercion of a minor victim to engage in illegal sexual conduct.  Benitzhar was arrested yesterday and made his initial appearance in federal district court in Oakland this morning.

According to the criminal complaint and court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip from a popular social media platform that an account, later determined to be associated with Benitzhar, 18, of Martinez, California, contained possible enticement and coercion of at least nine potential minor victims.

The complaint alleges that in chat messages with Minor Victim 1, Benitzhar claimed to have “traded CP” (i.e., child pornography), had sexual intercourse with the minor victim, and arranged to meet up with the minor victim in January 2025.  Benitzhar is also alleged to have messaged another social media user that he met with a 14-year-old girl in real life.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Brannigan made the announcement.

Benitzhar is currently in federal custody.  Benitzhar was next scheduled to appeare in district court on Sept. 16, 2025, for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Kang.

A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of attempted enticement and coercion of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b).  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly I. Volkar is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James and Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including the FBI, HSI, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, and the Walnut Creek Police Department, with assistance from the Martinez Police Department.

Anyone who has information relevant to this case can report it by contacting the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.

Under Proposition 50, five Republican-held congressional districts would shift to become more Democratic, based on presidential election results from 2024. Kamala Harris (D) would have won three—District 1, District 3, and District 41—with margins above 10%. District 48 would lean Democratic, with a margin of 3%. District 22 would have shifted four percentage points toward Democrats; however, Donald Trump (R) would have won the district with a margin of 2%. The table above provides additional information about these five districts. Source: Ballotpedia

Presented in Concord, Antioch, San Ramon and online by League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Learn the Pros and Cons of Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, a temporary redistricting measure on the statewide election scheduled for November 4. The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will sponsor three in-person events and one online session for the public to hear arguments and funding for and against the measure, which has potential nationwide impact.

Ballots will be mailed October 6.

Proposed new California Congressional District 10 map if Prop. 50 passes. Source: California State Assembly Elections Committee AB604

Background

Proposition 50 was a response by Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature to Texas Legislature’s recent mid-cycle redistricting. But the California ballot measure was approved and signed into law on Aug. 21 before Texas’ new congressional district were approved on Aug. 29, which was done in response to a lawsuit by the Biden Administration’s Department of Justice.

According to a report by Democracy Docket, the lawsuit was “filed in 2021 by the DOJ under the Biden administration that alleged the state’s new redistricting plans drawn with 2020 census data violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because they ignored the Lone Star State’s growing minority population and instead diluted the voting strength of voters. The lawsuit was later consolidated with several other similar lawsuits.”

Proposed new California Congressional District 9 map if Prop. 50 passes. Source: California State Assembly Elections Committee AB604

While in March the Trump Administration’s DOJ “dropped its claims against Texas that its…state legislative and congressional maps violate the Voting Rights Act, litigation is ongoing, with a coalition of pro-voting groups — including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Mi Familia Vota and others — continuing their legal efforts for fair maps in Texas.”

Later, according to a July 15th report by Politico, President Trump told reporters he wanted Texas to attain five additional Republican congressional seats in the 2026 election through redistricting, in order to maintain a Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Proposed new California Congressional District 8 map if Prop. 50 passes. Source: California State Assembly Elections Committee AB604

According to the LWV, “The California measure’s stated intent is to counteract Texas’ actions and help ensure that the 2026 U.S. mid-term elections are conducted on a level playing field, without an unfair advantage for either party.” While California’s Prop 50 puts the decision in the hands of California voters the new district lines were drawn and approved by the Democrats in the state legislature and Governor Newsom.

UPDATE: Unlike California’s redistricting requirements included in Article 21, Section 2 of the state’s constitution which, by a vote of the people, mandated the creation of the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw district lines each decade following the Census, according to the State of Texas redistricting website, “No Texas constitutional or statutory provisions address congressional redistricting…Unlike legislative redistricting, congressional redistricting does not come within the authority of the Legislative Redistricting Board if the legislature fails to enact a valid plan during the regular session that is meeting when the decennial census is published. The issue may be taken up in a subsequent special session of the legislature or, if the legislature fails to enact a congressional plan or if the governor does not call a special session, the districts may ultimately be drawn by a state or federal district court.” So, the Texas legislature is responsible for redrawing congressional district lines to create new maps.

California voters will decide in November whether or not to confirm the proposed, new Congressional district maps for our state.

See Prop. 50 proposed Congressional Districts Map.

See current maps drawn by Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Source: Ballotpedia

Event Details: 

Events are free to the public. Registration is appreciated.

Tuesday, September 30, 6:00– 7:00 p.m. – Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord.  To RSVP for this event, email marion@lwvdv.org.

Thursday, October 2, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Genesis Church, 1800 Woodland Drive, Antioch.  RSVP for this event.  To RSVP for this event, email marion@lwvdv.org

Thursday, October 2, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Dougherty Station Library, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon.  Register for this event.

Thursday, October 9, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Virtual; this event will have simultaneous Spanish translation and will be recorded for future viewing online. Registration is required to receive the link. Register for this event.

For more information, contact janet@lwvdv.org.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.  We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation at the local, state and national levels. For more information visit www.lwvdv.org.

Gail Murray and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.