Contra Costa Herald

By CHP-Contra Costa

Sunday night at about 8:27 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two vehicle collision on HWY-4 westbound, just east of Port Chicago Highway, in the city of Concord. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a blue BMW M3 and a silver Toyota Camry collided and then the BMW subsequently went off the roadway and plummeted down onto the Railroad tracks at Kinne Blvd. (which is below the highway and next to the old Concord Naval Weapons Station). The solo male driver (35 years old from Oakland) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of his identity.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo male driver of the BMW was traveling on westbound HWY-4 at a reported high rate of speed and for unknown reasons drove into the dirt center median and lost control of the BMW. Then veered across all lanes of traffic towards the right shoulder and subsequently drove off HWY-4 and plummeted down to the railroad tracks below on Kinne Blvd., causing major damage. The driver was ejected and found a distance away from the BMW and was pronounced deceased on scene. The solo male driver of the Toyota Camry was not injured and remained on scene for the investigation.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

By CHP-Contra Costa

Sunday morning at about 5:12 A.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision (with two occupants) off the roadway at Lone Tree Way, just east of Adams Lane, in the Brentwood area. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, a Nissan Sentra had veered off the roadway and into a utility pole, causing major damage. Tragically the 23yr old female passenger (from Vallejo) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 25yr old male driver (from Vallejo) sustained only minor injuries and is suspected of driving under the influence. He was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of identity of the 23-year-old deceased female.

In the initial investigation, it appears the male driver of the Nissan crossed over the solid double yellow lines and then veered back across the lane and drove the Nissan off the roadway to the right shoulder area where he crashed into a large utility pole, causing major damage, and killing his female girlfriend passenger. Officers on scene began a DUI investigation. The male driver was transported to the hospital where Officers followed and while at the hospital, placed the driver (Joseph John Martinez, DOB-8/13/1993) under arrest for suspicion of felony DUI, resulting in the death of his passenger.

This incident is another tragic loss of life from ultimately a preventable crash as all suspected driving under the influence crashes are. Driving impaired is always a choice made by the driver, not an accident. This incident is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

By Contra Costa County Sheriff

Sunday at about 5:32 PM, a boater notified Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Dispatch of a small plane crashing into the California Delta at the north end of Broad Slough, west of Kimball Island, north of Pittsburg.

According to a KPIX5 CBS SF Bay Area news report, “A piece of what is believed to be a Piper Cherokee single-engine airplane was located about 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Broad Slough north of Antioch, about an hour after a witness told authorities a small plane went down in the San Joaquin River, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman said.

The piece of the airplane tail is thought to be from an aircraft that departed Buchanan Field in Concord, with one person aboard, a short time before the crash, said fire district spokesman Steve Hill. The plane, Hill said, had been rented from Sterling Aviation, based at the Concord airport. Calls to Sterling Aviation early Sunday night went unanswered.”

Several agencies that included the Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol Unit, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Pittsburg PD, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and the California Highway Patrol responded. Debris and a backpack were found at the location. The plane is believed to have taken off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord at about 5 PM. The pilot was the only occupant in the plane. The name of the pilot is not being released at this time as his identity has not been confirmed.

A search was conducted by the responding agencies with negative results. The FAA and NTSB have been contacted. Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Units have been conducting sonar searches for evidence of the plane wreckage.

Any witnesses to this incident are asked to contact the NTSB by email at witness@NTSB.GOV.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Screenshot from KRON4 News report of fight at Concord restaurant Thurs., June 6, 2019.

18-year-old Pittsburg male also arrested for unrelated incident

By Lieutenant Sam Staten, Concord Police Department

On Thursday, June 06, 2019, at approximately 8:31 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the 2000 block of Diamond Blvd regarding a fight at a restaurant involving several patrons. Officers arrived and encountered a large crowd outside of the restaurant. The preliminary investigation revealed that two females, who were known to each other, got into a physical fight inside of the restaurant. The fight ended prior to police arrival. Officers questioned several people including the involved parties. They determined that the fight was due to conflict that had occurred in the past between the two involved females.

As a result, a 19-year-old black female adult and a 16-year-old female juvenile (both Antioch residents) were arrested for battery. An 18-year-old male from Pittsburg was also arrested for an unrelated incident. The victim sustained a minor injury as a result of the fight. Video surveillance from the restaurant was not available at the time the police were on scene. But, video of the incident was posted on NBC Bay Area and can be viewed, here. (WARNING: Video contains graphic language; viewer discretion advised)

Anyone with additional information in regard to this incident is asked to call Concord Police Department Detective Sergeant Mark Robison at (925)-671-5074.

By Lieutenant Sam Staten, Concord Police Department

On Friday, June 7, 2019, at approximately 7:29 AM, Concord Police Officers responded to the 1700 block of Thornwood Drive regarding a 911 call from a frantic woman. The woman called to report that her ex-boyfriend had gotten into her house and was “trying to kill her”. The woman said that she was inside of the residence with her three children. Officers arrived at the residence and found the woman’s two oldest children (10 and 12 years old) outside in front of the neighbor’s residence. The children said that the suspect was in the residence with the woman and another young child.

Once officers confirmed that the suspect was inside the residence with the woman and her youngest child, officers contacted the woman by her cell phone, and she confirmed that the suspect was armed and that she could not leave the residence.

After several minutes, Officers heard the woman in distress screaming for help, so they immediately forced entry into the residence and encountered the woman and the suspect. Officers were able to get the woman and child away from the suspect who was then taken into custody. Neither the woman nor the children were injured during this incident.

The suspect was identified as Concord resident 35-year-old Jasson Tan who is restrained from the woman. Tan was later booked at the Contra Costa County Jail.

This investigation into this incident is ongoing and no additional information will be released. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Concord Police Department Detective Sergeant Matt Cain at (925) 671-3235.

A two-car eBART train in the middle of Highway 4 between Hillcrest Avenue and A Street/Lone Tree Way. Herald file photo.

Among 13 winners named from across the nine-county region

Steven Falk. Photo by City of Lafayette.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) joined forces to present the first Bay Area Metro Awards Thursday, at a ceremony in Oakland recognizing 13 people, projects, organizations and local governments advancing solutions to ease the Bay Area’s housing crisis, improve the transportation system or make the nine-county region more resilient.

Winners include:

BART to Antioch: For the 10-mile rail extension from the former Pittsburg terminus along the Highway 4 median to a pair of new stations at Pittsburg Center and Antioch.

Steven Falk: For his years of committed service to the city of Lafayette as city manager. He retired last September after 38 years working for the city.

UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN Team: For the program that brought young people’s ideas into a regional challenge to develop community-based solutions to climate change.

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART): For the successful start of rail service connecting Sonoma and Marin counties.

HayWired Earthquake Scenario: To the U.S. Geological Survey and partners for studying a hypothetical 7.0 magnitude quake in the East Bay to help shape public policy for earthquake safety and planning.

Pacific Beach Coalition: For organizing volunteers over the past 21 years to clean up beaches along the San Mateo Coast.

Acquisition of the 23rd Avenue Community Building in Oakland: To the Oakland Community Land Trust and others, permanently preserving it as an affordable, mixed-use building.

San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority: For work on the Clean Water, Pollution Prevention and Habitat Restoration Measure – Measure AA – which was approved by voters in 2016 to tax themselves to help restore Bay Area wetlands.

Joint Workforce Investment Apprenticeship Program: To a partnership between the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), its Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, and Mission College to support the professional development of VTA employees.

San Leandro Homeless Compact: For the efforts of three partner organizations to end homelessness in the city of San Leandro: the city, the Rental Housing Association of Southern Alameda County, and the non-profit Building Futures with Women and Children.

Carl Guardino, Gabriel Metcalf and Jim Wunderman: For their dedicated and tireless work advocating for Regional Measure 3, the voter-approved 2018 measure which raised bridge tolls to fund transportation improvements and congestion relief projects.

LEGISLATIVE AWARD: Hon. Jim Beall, California State Senator.

GRAND AWARD: Recognizes three public transit operators and a public energy program for their work to save lives, protect communities and aid in rebuilding in response to the October 2017 North Bay fires:

• Santa Rosa CityBus
• Sonoma Clean Power, Advanced Energy Rebuild Program
• Sonoma County Transit
• Vine Transit (Napa County)

Launched jointly by ABAG and MTC in September 2018 with a call for nominations, the new awards program honors positive impacts on the Bay Area’s mobility, affordability, resilience and community; and recognizes efforts that make the region a better place to live, work and play.

“We honor this year’s winners to say thank you for the work they are doing and we hope that the winners’ stories will inspire others to strive for excellence in their daily tasks,” said ABAG President and MTC Commissioner David Rabbitt.

Winners received a specially designed Bay Area Metro Award at the recognition ceremony.  A six-member jury that included members of ABAG’s and MTC’s governing boards, as well as staff and a community representative, met to consider some 80 nominations in early 2019. The list of winners, with more details, can be found here: https://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/special-features/2019-bay-area-metro-award-winners.

Gus Kramer from the County Assessor’s webpage.

Kramer welcomes opportunity to face his accusers

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Today, Wed., June 5, 2019 the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office’s filed a Grand Jury Accusation against Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer for “willful or corrupt” misconduct while serving as the county’s elected assessor (Government Code §§ 3060 et seq). Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury asserts that the defendant violated state law in creating a hostile work environment for multiple employees in the Assessor’s Office. Due to state law, our Office must accept, serve and file the accusation against the defendant. If a jury finds Mr. Kramer violated the law and if he is convicted, he will be removed from his position as the county’s elected assessor.

The Accusation alleges misconduct by Kramer which occurred from December 2013 through 2019. The Grand Jury Accusation alleges that Mr. Kramer made sexual comments towards female employees and his disparaging remarks targeted one of the victim’s ethnicity. The Civil Grand Jury found this alleged conduct was “hostile or abusive” against four employees. As a result, the Civil Grand Jury through its investigation found that this conduct by Mr. Kramer created a hostile work environment for his employees and is therefore a violation of the Fair Housing and Employment Act.

Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and to protect the privacy of the victims we will not be releasing any of their names.

Earlier this morning Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Walpole presented the filing before Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Theresa Canepa in Department 35. Our Office was not involved and did not participate in the investigation by the Civil Grand Jury. The District Attorney requested a judicial hearing to determine if the Office will be recused from the remainder of this proceeding.

The foreperson for the 2018-2019 Grand Jury is Richard S. Nakano. State law lists the requirements for the Civil Grand Jury and District Attorney’s Office to process an accusation against a public official.

UPDATE: When reached for comment Kramer stated, “I welcome the opportunity to face my accusers after all these years of these behind doors accusations. When the facts come out, I have had not one, I have had not two, but I have had three independent investigations done by the county and I have been exonerated for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation.”

“The sad part in all of this, the Grand Jury Foreman refused to hear my witnesses who would have refuted their claims. Worse he refused to give me the time I requested to present my side. They gave me two hours. I requested eight hours. The other side had more than 10 hours. Nor did he share all the information I provided him” he continued.” “The Grand Jury Foreman is guilty of obstruction of justice.”

When this is all over, the East Bay Times, the Board of Supervisors and their appointees on the Grand Jury are going to be ashamed of themselves for the unwarranted prosecution and persecution of the County Assessor,” Kramer stated. “The saddest part of this is corruption in government is alive and well on our Board of Supervisors.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Screenshot from Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter video of suspect surrendering at end of pursuit on Tues., June 4, 2019.

By CHP-Golden Gate Division

Tuesday afternoon shortly before 1:30 pm, the Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg, CA attempted to stop a Toyota truck within their jurisdiction. The driver fled from officers at a high rate of speed. Pittsburg officers deployed a Starchase, LLC tracking device and discontinued the pursuit.
A Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter and CHP Airplane Air-37 arrived over the suspect vehicle and followed it from above. The suspect continued to flee through Contra Costa, Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties. After the Contra Costa Sheriff Helicopter discontinued their involvement, CHP H-32 arrived overhead.

Due to law enforcement monitoring from overhead, it allowed ground units to get into position and deploy spike strips. Once the vehicle became disabled by the spike strips, the suspect pulled to the shoulder and surrendered.

The CHP – Napa Office and the Sonoma Sheriff is jointly investigating this incident.

To see video of the pursuit, click here.

Stolen Jeep and suspect arrested by Concord Police. Photos by CPD.

By Concord Police Department

On Saturday, June 1, one of our Concord residents got up early to volunteer at a sports competition that showcases Veterans and active duty service members with disabilities. Before driving off, he realized he left important items in the house. As he entered his house, he immediately heard his vehicle pulling out of his driveway (he realized he forgot to take the keys out). He ran out front and saw his car driving off towards Clayton Road.

Our good-hearted community member dialed 9-1-1 and Concord Police responded immediately to the call. Within 10 minutes of being broadcast an observant Officer saw the stolen vehicle driving on Willow Pass Rd. near Landana Dr. (almost four miles away from where it was taken). The car thief casually turned off on a side street, but then pulled over once he saw the officer was still following behind. The suspect was placed under arrest without incident and the registered owner was reunited with his car.

We are happy to report that because of CPD’s quick response, our community member was able to make it in time to volunteer for the Valor Games!

By Lieutenant Tracie Reese, Walnut Creek Police Department

Walnut Creek Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place today, June 2, after multiple 911 calls regarding a disturbance at a home on Sandra Court. The first 911 call was received at 4:41 p.m. The caller said her grandson, a 23-year-old from Walnut Creek, came into her room and threatened her. The dispatcher could hear a male voice yelling in the background. At 4:42 p.m., Walnut Creek Police received a call from a nearby resident, who said he could hear an argument and possibly a gunshot. At 4:47 p.m., WCPD spoke to a second resident from where the disturbance was occurring. The caller reported her son was being violent and threatened her with a metal pole. The woman said her son has mental health problems and will be aggressive with police. The woman said he broke a sliding glass window and had a metal pole with a pointed end.

Officers arrived at 4:52 p.m. At 4:53 P.M., WCPD dispatch received another 911 call from another resident on Sandra Court. The caller said a man was pounding on his front door, had a red bandana over his head and face, and a giant crowbar in his hand.

Officers searched the neighborhood and found a man with a long pry bar with a pointed end walking on Arlene Lane towards a residence. Officers gave multiple commands, ordering him to drop the pry bar. He ignored those commands and ran towards the officers with the pry bar. One officer shot multiple less-than-lethal kinetic energy rounds (also referred to as bean bags) at the man. He continued to run at the officers, resulting in two officers firing their handguns at him. He was struck and fell to the ground but, attempted to get up. Officers were able to subdue him, and provided lifesaving measures, including CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. He was transported to John Muir Hospital where he later died from his injuries. His family has been notified.

The Coroner’s office will be releasing his name. The Walnut Creek Police Department is deeply saddened by this event as any loss of life is tragic.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Walnut Creek Police Department are actively working on this ongoing investigation. The five officers who were on scene will be interviewed and placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. We anticipate releasing the officer’s Body Worn Camera footage on a later date.

If anyone has information regarding this crime, please call Walnut Creek Police Department immediately at 925-935-6400 or Detective Greg Leonard at 925-256-3523. This investigation is in its early stages. Information could change as the investigation continues.