Contra Costa Herald

Dene Blakely arrest photo by San Pablo PD.

Held on $1 million bail

By San Pablo Police Department

San Pablo, CA – On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 2:27PM, San Pablo police officers responded to the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue for a reported injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers located a 60-year-old female pedestrian (victim) suffering from major injuries. She was transported to a local trauma center and remained in critical condition following surgery. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries on December 23, 2023.

Officers quickly learned that the driver of the vehicle, identified as 39-year-old Dene Blakely (suspect), had been involved in a verbal altercation with the victim regarding theft of packages prior to the collision. The suspect believed to recognize the victim as someone who had previously stolen a package from her residence, and confronted the victim as she walked in the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue. The altercation escalated and resulted in the subsequent collision. Based upon evidence gathered by SPPD officers and investigators, the collision was determined to be an intentional act of assault. Blakely was arrested on scene without incident and was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on a felony charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

On December 12, 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed formal charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, following review of the criminal case. After the victim’s passing, the District Attorney’s Office amended the complaint to include a criminal murder charge. On December 29, 2023, Blakely was arraigned on the amended charges and remains in-custody at the West County Detention Center

This is an active investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department at 510-215-3150.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Blakely is being held on $1 million bail and has a court appearance scheduled for Jan. 30, 2024.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By San Francisco Police Department

To help reduce retail thefts and to hold those committing these crimes accountable, the San Francisco Police Department Burglary Unit (Fencing & Organized Retail Crime investigators) and Field Operations Bureau, pre-planned a shoplifting enforcement operation. A retail store located on the 700 block of Mission Street and the 200 block of Winston Drive were chosen for the operation due to the high number of shoplifting incidents the businesses were experiencing.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the operation was successful in arresting a total of 18 suspects listed below.  Two were booked at San Francisco County Jail #1 for outstanding warrants and the on-view theft charges.  One suspect was booked at San Francisco County Jail #1 for on-view felony theft charges.  Twelve suspects were cited for shoplifting and released from the scene.  The stolen property was seized by officers during the operation and returned to the store. The SFPD will continue to conduct these operations throughout San Francisco in the hopes of reducing thefts that are targeting our businesses.

– Nia Hunter, a 21-year-old female from Concord was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876718.

– Tyrone Ford, a 49-year-old male from San Francisco was arrested and booked for a San Mateo Warrant ($1,000 bail, violation: 490.2(a) PC) Inc# 230876025.
– Joshua Reardon, a 45-year-old male from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876116.
– Mounir Pacha, a 33-year-old male was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876188.
– 13-year-old juvenile male was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876207.
– Alexander Gurunlian, a 32-year-old male from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876423.
– Jordan Priestly, a 21-year-old female from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876241.
– Rosohn Brooks Jr., 23-year-old male from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876241
– Steve Mitchell, a 50-year-old male from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876542.
– Loretta Tennis, a 48-year-old female from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876542.
– Delayja Holyfield, a 19-year-old female from Castro Valley was arrested and booked for an Alameda County Warrant ($20,000 bail, violation: 490.4(a)(1) PC) Inc# 230876398.
– Jakeem Green, 21-year-old male from San Francisco was arrested and booked for (487(a) PC) grand theft, (490.4(a)(1) PC) organized retail theft), (182(a)(1) PC) conspiracy. Inc# 230876398.
– Melissa Rodriguez, a 21-year-old female from Daly City was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) and 466 PC (possession of burglary tools) Inc# 230876718.
– Jason Lopez-Kidd, a 24-year-old male from San Francisco was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876724.
– Alaa Saleh, a 38-year-old male from San Lorenzo was cited for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) Inc# 230876683.
– Axel Contreras-Quintero, a 22-year-old male from San Francisco was arrested and booked for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) and 182 PC (conspiracy) Inc# 230876752.
– Desiree Andrade-Molina, a 34-year-old female was arrested and booked for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft) and 182 PC (conspiracy) Inc# 230876752.
– Monica Cobbins, 56-year-old female was arrested and booked for 490.2(a) PC (petty theft), 148(a)(1) PC (resisting arrest), and 166(a)(4) PC (violating court order) Inc# 230876859.

While arrests have been made, these incidents remain open and active investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

Photos by Richmond PD.

By Richmond Police Department

On Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at 11:29 am, RPD dispatch received a ShotSpotter activation in the 2200 block of Potrero Avenue. Officers responded and located evidence of a shooting. Officers were able to develop a description of a vehicle that was believed to have been used in the shooting, and they found a car matching the description parked just three blocks away in the 1900 block of Potrero Avenue.

Officers contacted the occupants and saw a firearm in plain view. A subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in another loaded firearm being located.

Thanks to technology and the quick response of our officers, we were able to get two more firearms off our city’s streets, and two criminals will most likely be ringing in the New Year from jail!

Photo by Hercules PD.

Multi-agency effort included San Pablo PD K9

By Hercules Police Department

On Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, at approximately 3:43 AM officers received a notification of an alarm activation at the businesses located at 844 Willow Avenue. Hercules PD along with Pinole Police Department, CONTRA COSTA SHERIFF-OFFICIAL PAGE, San Pablo Police Department K9 began making their way to the location. A Hercules officer arrived on scene and observed an unknown male standing in front of Mountain Mike’s wearing a dark puffy style jacket and dark pants. When the officer entered the parking lot the male was gone. Starbucks, El Cuscatlan and Mountain Mike’s had their glass doors shattered and appeared to have been broken into. Shortly after another officer observed the male running from Foxboro Downs, across from Willow Avenue into the creek. Officers located the male matching the description and successfully detained him by the creek.

With the help of the responding surrounding agencies a stronger perimeter was established and with the assistance of the K9 the businesses were cleared of any outstanding subjects. None were located.

The male was arrested after officers reviewed video surveillance and conducted an investigation. It was later determined he was suspected to be connected with four other burglaries that had occurred last week to the same businesses. The subject was booked into MDF for multiple charges.

BART is helping lower-income riders pay their fare by increasing its Clipper START means-based fare discount from 20% to 50%, beginning Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. This means that Clipper START users will pay half the regular BART fare.

Clipper START, a pilot program facilitated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, offers the discount for Bay Area residents ages 19 to 64 whose incomes are less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Clipper START is accepted by more than 20 regional transit operators. Those who qualify can apply for the program here.

BART offers multiple fare discounts in addition to Clipper START, including discounts for youth (50% off with a Youth Clipper card), seniors (62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card), passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities (62.5% off with an RTC Clipper card ), and a High-Value Discount (adult Clipper users who buy $45 or $60 Clipper cards when autoloadis set up get $48 and $64 worth of value, or a 6.25% discount).

MTC Chief Deputy Executive Director Alix Bockelman. Photo source: MTC. Credit: Karl Nielsen

Will join Tri Delta Transit’s Executive Director to grow ridership, improve experience

California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin last week appointed Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Chief Deputy Executive Director Alix Bockelman to the state’s Transit Transformation Task Force, which will be charged with developing policy recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit experience for riders and address long-term operational funding needs throughout California.

The 25-member task force represents state government, local agencies, academic institutions and advocacy organizations. Bockelman will be joined by other Bay Area representatives, including the executive directors of Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority (ECCTA/Tri Delta Transit), Napa Valley Transportation (NVTA/Vine Transit), the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and the San Francisco Bay Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA/SF Bay Ferry), as well as policy directors from Seamless Bay Area, SPUR and the Bay Area Council. Review the complete roster of task force appointees in the CalSTA news release.

Established by Senate Bill 125 and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in the transit recovery package as part of the 2023-24 state budget, the task force will kick off with a virtual meeting on Dec. 19 and then will meet in person every two months beginning in Feb. 2024. Agendas, meeting materials and other task force information will be available on the CalSTA website’s Senate Bill 125 Transit Program page.

CalSTA will prepare a report of findings and policy recommendations based on the task force’s efforts and submit it to the Legislature by October 2025.

“As California’s chief elections officer…I must place the sanctity of these elections above partisan politics.” – Secretary of State Shirley Weber

Issues list of candidates including the former president

By Allen D. Payton

Sacramento, CA – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. responded on Friday, Dec. 22 to the letter from California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis requesting the removal of former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. (See related article)

In her letter, Weber reinforced that, because this is an issue of particular concern to the public, she is obligated to address it within legal parameters and in the best interests of all California voters.

“It is incumbent upon my office to ensure that any action undertaken regarding any candidate’s inclusion or omission from our ballots be grounded firmly in the laws and processes in place in California and our Constitution,” she wrote.

“As California’s chief elections officer, I am a steward of free and fair elections and the democratic process. I must place the sanctity of these elections above partisan politics,” Weber continued. “Removing a candidate from the ballot under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment is not something my office takes lightly and is not as simple as the requirement be at least 35 years old to be president.”

“I am guided by my commitment to follow the rule of law,” she added.

While Trump is on the March 5 primary election ballot, Weber concluded her letter with, “My office will continue to assess all our options, including those that may arise as a result of any action taken by the United States Supreme Court or other changing circumstances.”

The full text of her response letter can be found here.

On Thursday, Dec. 28, Weber issued the Certified List of Candidates for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election which included Trump as one of the nine Republicans on the state’s primary ballot. The list also includes eight Democrats, with President Biden at the top of the alphabetical list. Finally, the list of presidential candidates includes three Peace and Freedom party candidates, with Cornel West the most well-known among them, as well as one candidate each from the American Independent Party, Green Party and Libertarian Party.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s name will not appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot. When asked why not, his campaign explained, “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as an independent candidate for the presidency and therefore will not be participating in any primary elections, including the California March 5 Presidential Primary. As an Independent, he will be working towards securing a place on the ballot for the general election in November 2024 by collecting the necessary signatures and meeting state requirements.”

Photo source: BART courtesy of TripSavvy.

Ring in the New Year in San Francisco under fireworks.

We’ve made it to the last weekend of 2023, and it will be an event-FULL one! Dozens of New Year’s Eve celebrations are happening, along with a few “Noon Year’s Eve” events for the kids. Take in a live show, a musical performance, or dance until the clock hits 12 a.m. at the BARTable events below. BART will run special service this weekend with trains running as late as 1 a.m. on New Years Eve.

To view the list of BARTable partner events visit BARTable This Weekend: Dec 29-31 | BARTable,

Find more information about our special service here. Are you hosting an event near a BART station? Visit this page to learn about “what is BARTable.”

Use BART’s Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

BARTable partners with local organizations located near BART stations to shine a light on the incredible diversity of businesses, restaurants and happenings that are easily accessible by transit. Our partners provide special deals and prizes for our weekly giveaways, which you can find on our Contest and Deals page. Interested in becoming a BARTable partner? Learn more here.

Inside the vehicle broken into by the suspect. Photo: Brentwood PD

While on probation for burglary and auto theft

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2023, Brentwood Officers were called to the 7600 block of Brentwood Blvd., for a car burglary in progress. The reporting party, who was the owner of the car, witnessed someone breaking into his car and he was able to provide a description of the suspect to Dispatch.

When officers arrived, they located and detained 37-year-old Agustin Martinez of Brentwood in the immediate area.  Officers determined the car showed signs of being tampered with and the victim identified Martinez as the suspect he saw breaking into his car.

Martinez, who is also on County Probation for burglary and vehicle theft, was placed under arrest and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

Photos: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

On Christmas Eve, while most people were tucked in bed waiting to wake up and spend Christmas morning with family and friends, our officers were on patrol, ensuring our city streets remained safe.

At around 9:00 pm, officers conducted a vehicle stop for vehicle code violations in the 700 block of 23rd Street. After stopping, the driver immediately exited their vehicle and refused to follow officers’ directions. The driver ultimately attempted to flee from officers on foot, but after a short foot pursuit, officers were able to take the driver into custody. They found the driver to be in possession of a loaded “ghost gun” and additional magazines. A search of his vehicle resulted in another firearm, even more high-capacity pistol magazines, and marijuana being located.

Thankfully, officers were able to get this convicted felon into custody while recovering two illegal guns, all without any injuries. The driver was transported to the RPD jail, where he was booked for weapons violations. Unfortunately for this suspect, he spent his Christmas in jail with only coal in his stocking!