By Daniel Borsuk
At their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 on a 5-0 vote, supervisors sent a letter to the 23rd District Agricultural Association requesting that the association stop the gun shows at the state-owned Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, now known as the Contra Costa Event Park.
County supervisors were unsuccessful in seeking a ban on firearm possession and sales on county fairgrounds from the Agricultural Association in previous attempts in 1996 and in 2004.
“Gun violence and gun-related injuries and deaths continue to be critical public health concerns,” the supervisors’ letter states. “The Board of Supervisors continues to support a policy that would prohibit the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds from being used in the proliferation of this critical public health hazard.
“As the nation grapples with the effects of mass shootings, the 23rd District Agricultural Association has the responsibility to determine if facilitating guns shows on public property is the message to be sending to the public.”
The supervisors’ letter notes the fairgrounds are near a number of sensitive public areas, including a Head Start kindergarten readiness facility that is located on the Fairground property. Some 500 feet away from the Fairgrounds are Antioch High School and Fairview Park. Nearby are Live Oak High School, Antioch Middle School and Fremont Elementary School.
Prompting the gun ban were a number of requests Supervisor Federal Glover received from constituents who complained about the gun shows at the Fairgrounds. “This is an opportunity,” said Glover in reference to the election of a new governor, Gavin Newsom, who will replace Gov. Gerald Brown, who has vetoed gun legislation that would have banned gun shows at another state-owned fairgrounds, the Cow Palace in Daly City.
Alameda, Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties have outlawed the possession of firearms and ammunition at their county-owned fairgrounds, and Los Angeles County has banned firearm and ammunition sales on its county-owned fairgrounds.
A spokesperson for the 23rd District Agricultural Association did not return a Contra Costa Herald phone call for comment on the board of supervisors’ letter.
Another gun expo hosted by Mountain Aire Promotions will be held this weekend at the Event Park.
Read More
By Daniel Borsuk
County supervisors set in motion a potential environmental ordinance that would ban polystyrene, or Styrofoam food and beverage containers, in businesses in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The proposed law would possibly go into effect sometime in May 2019.
On a 5-0 vote supervisors directed the county Public Works Department officials to develop the ordinance that would resemble as much as possible a mish-mashed compilation of banned polystyrene ordinances now enforced in 10 Contra Costa cities. Cities with some form of a polystyrene ban ordinance in place include Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Pinole, Lafayette, Pittsburg, Hercules, Concord and Martinez.
While the banned use of polystyrene food containers applies in all 10 cities, the ban sale of food containers is barred only in Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole and Pittsburg. Prohibiting the sale of packing peanuts is enforced only in Richmond, San Pablo, and Pittsburg.
As a result, crafting a county-wide ordinance banning polystyrene will be a difficult task.
“According to the US EPA, local governments in California spend as much as $411 million each year to prevent plastic food packaging and other commonly littered items from ending up on streets, storm drains, beaches, rivers and the ocean,” wrote Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, in a November 6 letter to the supervisors.
The Bay Area counties of Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Marina, and Sonoma already have polystyrene ban ordinances in place.
Dominic Williams of Save the Bay encouraged the supervisors to move forward in developing the ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers.
“There are 117 ordinances in place in California banning polystyrene products,” Williams said. “Polystrene is the type of product that never biodegrades.”
“Polystrene is not only an environmental issue, but it is an economic issue. We pay more for what goes into the land fill,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood.
“We believe that imposing a ban on polystyrene will do little to reduce overall litter within the County of Contra Costa. Focusing on one product is a discriminatory approach, and has proven to be ineffective,” wrote Allison Piccoli, Director of Local Government Affairs for the California Restaurant Association, which opposes the ban.
David Twa Named Top County CEO In California
Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the California Association of County Executives at the association’s conference in San Diego held on Dec. 1-2.
The award is handed out for outstanding and meritorious work to a Chief Administrative Officer or Chief Executive Officer who has demonstrated respected leadership, shown exemplary work to benefit the community through long term positive results, and serves as a role model for others in cities, counties, and the state.
“We are proud to celebrate our county administrator David Twa’s selection as CAO of the year,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff. “We are fortunate to have David’s leadership in Contra Costa and so pleased that he has received this well-deserved award.”
Read More
Screenshot by ABC7 News report of the scene in Pacheco, Wednesday morning, Dec. 5, 2018.
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating an officer involved shooting per the county’s law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol.
This morning at about 9:03, two Deputy Sheriffs handled a detail on Adelaide Drive in Pacheco. They cleared the call at about 9:31 A.M. As one of the Deputies left the area, he noticed a person who had an outstanding warrant on foot in the area of Adelaide Drive and Pacheco Boulevard. The Deputy went to contact him. The person kept reaching into his waistband and ran away leading to a foot pursuit by the Deputy. The Deputy attempted to physically control the person, giving numerous verbal commands to show his hands. A struggle ensued with the suspect pulling out a firearm from his waistband. He fired one shot toward the Deputy’s head. The Deputy returned fire, shooting the suspect.
The Fire Department and an ambulance responded to the location. The male suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 41-year-old white male from Discovery Bay is not being identified at this time. The suspect had a no bail, warrant for evading and resisting arrest from another county. The suspect also had extensive prior contacts with law enforcement that include drug possession, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of dangerous weapons, felon in possession of a firearm, stolen vehicle possession, obstruction, possession of burglary tools and parole violation. He was also an active member of several gangs in Contra Costa. The Deputy was unhurt.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
See more on ABC7 News here and here.
Read More
Francisco Perez. Photo by CCCSheriff
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff recently received a tip regarding a person who was allegedly in possession of child pornography. Detectives started an investigation and later obtained search warrants for the suspect’s home and computers/electronic devices.
On November 20, 2018, Detectives arrested 34-year-old Francisco Perez of San Pablo. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of possession of child pornography. Perez has since been released pending further investigation.
Perez was previously employed by a food service company that provided food to San Domenico School in San Anselmo. At that time, he used the false name of Mario Arguetta. There is no evidence to suggest any student has been a victim.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to call the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office or the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (415) 479-2311.
Read More
Screenshot from a KTVU Fox 2 News report of Debra Bozeman and her granddaughter.
Police seek suspect
By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services
On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at approximately 2:56 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a call about a person and wheelchair in the middle of the road in the 3600 block of Lone Tree Way. Officers arrived on scene and located the subject, a 65-year-old resident of Discovery Bay, unresponsive and suffering from major injuries. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she remains in critical condition.
It was determined that the victim was crossing the roadway in her wheelchair when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The responsible vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.
The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Officers are currently following up on evidence left at the scene and potential surveillance footage of the collision.
This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Unit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, the woman has been identified as Debra Bozeman and is in the intensive care unit of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Her family is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read More
Victim identified as 60-year-old Castro Valley man
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Homicide detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two male juvenile suspects in connection with a killing that took place in North Richmond on Friday, November 30, 2018.
On that day at about 6:25 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the intersection of 4th Street and Silver Avenue in North Richmond for a report of a person that had just been shot. Deputies arrived on scene and found a man in his vehicle near a home on the 300 block of Silver Avenue. He suffered from a gunshot wound. The Fire Department, an ambulance and the crime lab responded to the location. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is identified as 60-year-old Raymond Vasquez of Castro Valley.
Detectives say Vasquez apparently went to North Richmond for a drug transaction. An altercation occurred with the suspects and one of them shot Vasquez. The juveniles fled the scene. During the investigation, Detectives identified the juvenile suspects who were both arrested this afternoon in Richmond. They were booked into Juvenile Hall on charges that include murder, robbery, conspiracy and participating in a gang. The suspects are not being identified; they are 15 and 17 years old.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read More
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, at about 7:14 AM, a motorist reported to Sheriff’s Office Dispatch that there was a person lying on the roadway along Crockett Boulevard between Cummings Skyway and Pomona Avenue. Crockett Fire Department responded to the location and later pronounced the person deceased at the scene. It appeared the person suffered a gunshot wound.
Homicide detectives from the Office of the Sheriff launched an investigation into the killing. They later identified the victim as 30-year-old DeMichael James Gandy-Williams of Vacaville. During their follow-up, detectives contacted investigators at the Fairfield Police Department.
Sheriff’s Office detectives later went to a motel on the 4300 block of Central Place in Fairfield to interview a person about the killing. The person was later determined to be the suspect in the murder of Gandy-Williams. The suspect refused to come out of the motel room. At about 4:40 PM, the detectives requested assistance from the Fairfield Police Department, which sent patrol officers and the SWAT Team to the location. The suspect surrendered peacefully at about 9:26 PM and was arrested by Sheriff’s Office Detectives.
The suspect is identified as 46-year-old Toriano Collier of Vallejo/Napa. He was interviewed and later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and probation violation. He is being held without bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read More
Artist’s rendering of a CyberTran vehicle and station with overhead solar panels generating the power to operate the system.
Dexter Vizinau, President of the Richmond, California-based CyberTran International, will be participating in a panel discussion at the innovative transportation conference, known as Infraday West on Wednesday, Dec. 5 in Los Angeles at the Intercontinental Hotel. Infraday West Agenda 12-5-18
The conference is described as “projects meet money, policy, innovation, risk in a powerful single day event uniting the leaders in the public and private infrastructure sectors in talks around funding, developing and maintaining infrastructure projects in the U.S.”
It is expected to be “a powerful one-day forum uniting over 300 senior infrastructure executives. Local, State and Federal authorities will unite with some of the top financiers, consultants, constructors, engineers and technology innovators to discuss new opportunities and challenges facing the market.”
The panel discussion in which Vizinau will participate, to be held from 3:00-3:45 p.m. is entitled, Delivering Mega-Rail Projects in California and Beyond – Opportunities and Challenges. It will also include the following panelists: Doug Johnson, Transportation Planning Manager, San Francisco Planning Department; Craig Covil, Chief Development Officer, Gavio+Halmar; Kevin Sheridan, Director of Capital Projects, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission / Altamont Corridor Express; Elizabeth Lun, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Planning and Project Delivery, Metrolink; and Carl Holmes, Assistant General Manager of Planning, Development & Construction, BART.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our company to let decision-makers and others in the infrastructure industry know of our low-cost, electric, solar-powered transit system being developed, here in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area,” said Vizinau. “We look forward to sharing with them about our disruptive, American-made technology and help influence the direction of the discussion and market.”
The CyberTran system has already been built and tested and is the most advanced of all innovative transit systems being developed in the U.S., that have not yet been deployed. The company won a national contest by the Federal Highway Administration in 2015 and to date, has been granted seven patents during the final phase of system development. CyberTran’s strategic partners include the Lawrence Berkeley and Livermore Labs, U.C. Berkeley and the Partnership for Advanced Transportation & Highways (PATH).
CyberTran will be hosting a booth at the conference. To learn more, either stop by or visit www.cybertran.com.
Note: The publisher of the Contra Costa Herald has a financial interest in CyberTran International.
Read More
Pharmacist Jonathan Szkotak.
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged defendant Jonathan Szkotak with one felony count of second-degree robbery. On April 3, 2018, Szkotak allegedly went to a CVS pharmacy in Danville where he brandished a firearm at the pharmacy staff and demanded specific pills. Szkotak is a registered pharmacist with the California Board of Pharmacy. He works in Alameda County for the Alameda Alliance for Health.
Szkotak allegedly approached the pharmacy counter wearing a blue surgical mask and displayed a firearm. Given that he used a gun during the course of the robbery, our office charged Szkotak with a firearm enhancement.
CVS reported to the Drug Enforcement Agency a loss report of Clonazepam and Buprenorphine. In total, 17 tablets of Clonazepam were missing and 57 tablets of Buprenorphine (three different brands) as a result of the April 3rd robbery. Upon Szkotak’s arrest, the police found a quantity of crushed Buprenorphine in the defendant’s wallet.
Szkotak’s court appearance is January 14, 2019 in Martinez. He is out of custody on a $200,000 bond.
He was charged with the following: Second Degree Robbery – Enhancement 1, Personal Use of a Firearm
Case information: People v. Jonathan Szkotak, Docket Number 01-187866-9.
Read MoreArrested in Texas, awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 19-year-old Tristan Amir Curl, a resident of Oakley, California and a student living in Austin, Texas, with six felony counts of making criminal threats, one felony count of stalking and one felony count of threatening a school official.
The charges are a result of a two-month investigation by the Oakley Police Department, District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into a series of threats on social media. In September, several underage females were contacted by an unknown person on social media who was threatening to rape and kill them.
The same subject threatened to shoot students at Freedom High School in Oakley and then threatened to murder the school principal. Investigators subsequently identified Curl as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for him, which was approved by a Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County.
On November 20, 2018, Curl was arrested in Austin, Texas where he attends college. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office had a senior inspector in Austin to assist the Oakley Police Department with the arrest and collection of forensic evidence.
Curl remains in the custody of the Travis County, Texas Sheriff’s Department while awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County. The Austin Police Department and FBI provided substantial assistance with the investigation.
Case information: People v. Curl, Dockett Number 01-187978-2
Read More
By Daniel Borsuk
At their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 on a 5-0 vote, supervisors sent a letter to the 23rd District Agricultural Association requesting that the association stop the gun shows at the state-owned Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, now known as the Contra Costa Event Park.
County supervisors were unsuccessful in seeking a ban on firearm possession and sales on county fairgrounds from the Agricultural Association in previous attempts in 1996 and in 2004.
“Gun violence and gun-related injuries and deaths continue to be critical public health concerns,” the supervisors’ letter states. “The Board of Supervisors continues to support a policy that would prohibit the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds from being used in the proliferation of this critical public health hazard.
“As the nation grapples with the effects of mass shootings, the 23rd District Agricultural Association has the responsibility to determine if facilitating guns shows on public property is the message to be sending to the public.”
The supervisors’ letter notes the fairgrounds are near a number of sensitive public areas, including a Head Start kindergarten readiness facility that is located on the Fairground property. Some 500 feet away from the Fairgrounds are Antioch High School and Fairview Park. Nearby are Live Oak High School, Antioch Middle School and Fremont Elementary School.
Prompting the gun ban were a number of requests Supervisor Federal Glover received from constituents who complained about the gun shows at the Fairgrounds. “This is an opportunity,” said Glover in reference to the election of a new governor, Gavin Newsom, who will replace Gov. Gerald Brown, who has vetoed gun legislation that would have banned gun shows at another state-owned fairgrounds, the Cow Palace in Daly City.
Alameda, Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties have outlawed the possession of firearms and ammunition at their county-owned fairgrounds, and Los Angeles County has banned firearm and ammunition sales on its county-owned fairgrounds.
A spokesperson for the 23rd District Agricultural Association did not return a Contra Costa Herald phone call for comment on the board of supervisors’ letter.
Another gun expo hosted by Mountain Aire Promotions will be held this weekend at the Event Park.
Read MoreBy Daniel Borsuk
County supervisors set in motion a potential environmental ordinance that would ban polystyrene, or Styrofoam food and beverage containers, in businesses in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The proposed law would possibly go into effect sometime in May 2019.
On a 5-0 vote supervisors directed the county Public Works Department officials to develop the ordinance that would resemble as much as possible a mish-mashed compilation of banned polystyrene ordinances now enforced in 10 Contra Costa cities. Cities with some form of a polystyrene ban ordinance in place include Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Pinole, Lafayette, Pittsburg, Hercules, Concord and Martinez.
While the banned use of polystyrene food containers applies in all 10 cities, the ban sale of food containers is barred only in Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole and Pittsburg. Prohibiting the sale of packing peanuts is enforced only in Richmond, San Pablo, and Pittsburg.
As a result, crafting a county-wide ordinance banning polystyrene will be a difficult task.
“According to the US EPA, local governments in California spend as much as $411 million each year to prevent plastic food packaging and other commonly littered items from ending up on streets, storm drains, beaches, rivers and the ocean,” wrote Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, in a November 6 letter to the supervisors.
The Bay Area counties of Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Marina, and Sonoma already have polystyrene ban ordinances in place.
Dominic Williams of Save the Bay encouraged the supervisors to move forward in developing the ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers.
“There are 117 ordinances in place in California banning polystyrene products,” Williams said. “Polystrene is the type of product that never biodegrades.”
“Polystrene is not only an environmental issue, but it is an economic issue. We pay more for what goes into the land fill,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood.
“We believe that imposing a ban on polystyrene will do little to reduce overall litter within the County of Contra Costa. Focusing on one product is a discriminatory approach, and has proven to be ineffective,” wrote Allison Piccoli, Director of Local Government Affairs for the California Restaurant Association, which opposes the ban.
David Twa Named Top County CEO In California
Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the California Association of County Executives at the association’s conference in San Diego held on Dec. 1-2.
The award is handed out for outstanding and meritorious work to a Chief Administrative Officer or Chief Executive Officer who has demonstrated respected leadership, shown exemplary work to benefit the community through long term positive results, and serves as a role model for others in cities, counties, and the state.
“We are proud to celebrate our county administrator David Twa’s selection as CAO of the year,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff. “We are fortunate to have David’s leadership in Contra Costa and so pleased that he has received this well-deserved award.”
Read MoreScreenshot by ABC7 News report of the scene in Pacheco, Wednesday morning, Dec. 5, 2018.
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating an officer involved shooting per the county’s law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol.
This morning at about 9:03, two Deputy Sheriffs handled a detail on Adelaide Drive in Pacheco. They cleared the call at about 9:31 A.M. As one of the Deputies left the area, he noticed a person who had an outstanding warrant on foot in the area of Adelaide Drive and Pacheco Boulevard. The Deputy went to contact him. The person kept reaching into his waistband and ran away leading to a foot pursuit by the Deputy. The Deputy attempted to physically control the person, giving numerous verbal commands to show his hands. A struggle ensued with the suspect pulling out a firearm from his waistband. He fired one shot toward the Deputy’s head. The Deputy returned fire, shooting the suspect.
The Fire Department and an ambulance responded to the location. The male suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 41-year-old white male from Discovery Bay is not being identified at this time. The suspect had a no bail, warrant for evading and resisting arrest from another county. The suspect also had extensive prior contacts with law enforcement that include drug possession, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of dangerous weapons, felon in possession of a firearm, stolen vehicle possession, obstruction, possession of burglary tools and parole violation. He was also an active member of several gangs in Contra Costa. The Deputy was unhurt.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
See more on ABC7 News here and here.
Read MoreFrancisco Perez. Photo by CCCSheriff
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff recently received a tip regarding a person who was allegedly in possession of child pornography. Detectives started an investigation and later obtained search warrants for the suspect’s home and computers/electronic devices.
On November 20, 2018, Detectives arrested 34-year-old Francisco Perez of San Pablo. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of possession of child pornography. Perez has since been released pending further investigation.
Perez was previously employed by a food service company that provided food to San Domenico School in San Anselmo. At that time, he used the false name of Mario Arguetta. There is no evidence to suggest any student has been a victim.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to call the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office or the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (415) 479-2311.
Read MoreScreenshot from a KTVU Fox 2 News report of Debra Bozeman and her granddaughter.
Police seek suspect
By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services
On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at approximately 2:56 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a call about a person and wheelchair in the middle of the road in the 3600 block of Lone Tree Way. Officers arrived on scene and located the subject, a 65-year-old resident of Discovery Bay, unresponsive and suffering from major injuries. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she remains in critical condition.
It was determined that the victim was crossing the roadway in her wheelchair when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The responsible vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.
The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Officers are currently following up on evidence left at the scene and potential surveillance footage of the collision.
This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Unit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, the woman has been identified as Debra Bozeman and is in the intensive care unit of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Her family is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreVictim identified as 60-year-old Castro Valley man
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Homicide detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two male juvenile suspects in connection with a killing that took place in North Richmond on Friday, November 30, 2018.
On that day at about 6:25 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the intersection of 4th Street and Silver Avenue in North Richmond for a report of a person that had just been shot. Deputies arrived on scene and found a man in his vehicle near a home on the 300 block of Silver Avenue. He suffered from a gunshot wound. The Fire Department, an ambulance and the crime lab responded to the location. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is identified as 60-year-old Raymond Vasquez of Castro Valley.
Detectives say Vasquez apparently went to North Richmond for a drug transaction. An altercation occurred with the suspects and one of them shot Vasquez. The juveniles fled the scene. During the investigation, Detectives identified the juvenile suspects who were both arrested this afternoon in Richmond. They were booked into Juvenile Hall on charges that include murder, robbery, conspiracy and participating in a gang. The suspects are not being identified; they are 15 and 17 years old.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, at about 7:14 AM, a motorist reported to Sheriff’s Office Dispatch that there was a person lying on the roadway along Crockett Boulevard between Cummings Skyway and Pomona Avenue. Crockett Fire Department responded to the location and later pronounced the person deceased at the scene. It appeared the person suffered a gunshot wound.
Homicide detectives from the Office of the Sheriff launched an investigation into the killing. They later identified the victim as 30-year-old DeMichael James Gandy-Williams of Vacaville. During their follow-up, detectives contacted investigators at the Fairfield Police Department.
Sheriff’s Office detectives later went to a motel on the 4300 block of Central Place in Fairfield to interview a person about the killing. The person was later determined to be the suspect in the murder of Gandy-Williams. The suspect refused to come out of the motel room. At about 4:40 PM, the detectives requested assistance from the Fairfield Police Department, which sent patrol officers and the SWAT Team to the location. The suspect surrendered peacefully at about 9:26 PM and was arrested by Sheriff’s Office Detectives.
The suspect is identified as 46-year-old Toriano Collier of Vallejo/Napa. He was interviewed and later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and probation violation. He is being held without bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreArtist’s rendering of a CyberTran vehicle and station with overhead solar panels generating the power to operate the system.
Dexter Vizinau, President of the Richmond, California-based CyberTran International, will be participating in a panel discussion at the innovative transportation conference, known as Infraday West on Wednesday, Dec. 5 in Los Angeles at the Intercontinental Hotel. Infraday West Agenda 12-5-18
The conference is described as “projects meet money, policy, innovation, risk in a powerful single day event uniting the leaders in the public and private infrastructure sectors in talks around funding, developing and maintaining infrastructure projects in the U.S.”
It is expected to be “a powerful one-day forum uniting over 300 senior infrastructure executives. Local, State and Federal authorities will unite with some of the top financiers, consultants, constructors, engineers and technology innovators to discuss new opportunities and challenges facing the market.”
The panel discussion in which Vizinau will participate, to be held from 3:00-3:45 p.m. is entitled, Delivering Mega-Rail Projects in California and Beyond – Opportunities and Challenges. It will also include the following panelists: Doug Johnson, Transportation Planning Manager, San Francisco Planning Department; Craig Covil, Chief Development Officer, Gavio+Halmar; Kevin Sheridan, Director of Capital Projects, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission / Altamont Corridor Express; Elizabeth Lun, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Planning and Project Delivery, Metrolink; and Carl Holmes, Assistant General Manager of Planning, Development & Construction, BART.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our company to let decision-makers and others in the infrastructure industry know of our low-cost, electric, solar-powered transit system being developed, here in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area,” said Vizinau. “We look forward to sharing with them about our disruptive, American-made technology and help influence the direction of the discussion and market.”
The CyberTran system has already been built and tested and is the most advanced of all innovative transit systems being developed in the U.S., that have not yet been deployed. The company won a national contest by the Federal Highway Administration in 2015 and to date, has been granted seven patents during the final phase of system development. CyberTran’s strategic partners include the Lawrence Berkeley and Livermore Labs, U.C. Berkeley and the Partnership for Advanced Transportation & Highways (PATH).
CyberTran will be hosting a booth at the conference. To learn more, either stop by or visit www.cybertran.com.
Note: The publisher of the Contra Costa Herald has a financial interest in CyberTran International.
Read MorePharmacist Jonathan Szkotak.
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged defendant Jonathan Szkotak with one felony count of second-degree robbery. On April 3, 2018, Szkotak allegedly went to a CVS pharmacy in Danville where he brandished a firearm at the pharmacy staff and demanded specific pills. Szkotak is a registered pharmacist with the California Board of Pharmacy. He works in Alameda County for the Alameda Alliance for Health.
Szkotak allegedly approached the pharmacy counter wearing a blue surgical mask and displayed a firearm. Given that he used a gun during the course of the robbery, our office charged Szkotak with a firearm enhancement.
CVS reported to the Drug Enforcement Agency a loss report of Clonazepam and Buprenorphine. In total, 17 tablets of Clonazepam were missing and 57 tablets of Buprenorphine (three different brands) as a result of the April 3rd robbery. Upon Szkotak’s arrest, the police found a quantity of crushed Buprenorphine in the defendant’s wallet.
Szkotak’s court appearance is January 14, 2019 in Martinez. He is out of custody on a $200,000 bond.
He was charged with the following: Second Degree Robbery – Enhancement 1, Personal Use of a Firearm
Case information: People v. Jonathan Szkotak, Docket Number 01-187866-9.
Read MoreArrested in Texas, awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 19-year-old Tristan Amir Curl, a resident of Oakley, California and a student living in Austin, Texas, with six felony counts of making criminal threats, one felony count of stalking and one felony count of threatening a school official.
The charges are a result of a two-month investigation by the Oakley Police Department, District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into a series of threats on social media. In September, several underage females were contacted by an unknown person on social media who was threatening to rape and kill them.
The same subject threatened to shoot students at Freedom High School in Oakley and then threatened to murder the school principal. Investigators subsequently identified Curl as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for him, which was approved by a Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County.
On November 20, 2018, Curl was arrested in Austin, Texas where he attends college. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office had a senior inspector in Austin to assist the Oakley Police Department with the arrest and collection of forensic evidence.
Curl remains in the custody of the Travis County, Texas Sheriff’s Department while awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County. The Austin Police Department and FBI provided substantial assistance with the investigation.
Case information: People v. Curl, Dockett Number 01-187978-2
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