Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Police report results from Richmond’s Flock Automated License Plate Reader System

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Source: Richmond PD

Since April 2023 ALPR contributed to over 270 people arrested, over 250 vehicles recovered, more

By Richmond Police Department

The Richmond Police Department is committed to transparency and protecting the information we collect to keep our community safe. We want to share an update regarding our Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system operated by Flock Safety.

Since its inception in April 2023, ALPR data has become an essential investigative tool for both patrol officers and detectives conducting follow-up investigations, providing significant public-safety benefits. ALPR data has directly contributed to:

  • The arrest of over 272 individuals involved in criminal activity
  • The identification of a suspect vehicle in 12 separate homicide cases
  • The recovery of over 258 stolen vehicles
  • More than 889 cases where ALPR information directly led to the identification of a suspect or suspect vehicle
  • Alerted officers to the presence of over 6,670 stolen vehicles in our city
  • Alerted officers to the presence of over 759 vehicles that were wanted for felony crimes in our city

These outcomes demonstrate how the responsible use of technology helps us solve crimes, locate dangerous offenders, and support victims. Without the ALPR data provided by Flock, many of these cases, including murder cases, would most likely remain unsolved.

Earlier this year, Flock Safety notified us of a system configuration error that allowed certain external law enforcement agencies to run very limited, specific license-plate searches that could have revealed small portions of Richmond’s ALPR data. This was not full-system access and affected only narrow, plate-specific queries.

The issue was unintentional and was disabled immediately upon discovery. ALPR data is only stored for 30 days, and at this time, we have no evidence that any outside agency viewed or misused Richmond’s data, including for immigration enforcement. Because multiple agencies were affected, we temporarily turned off our ALPR system until Flock Safety provides verified safeguards and assurances to prevent future issues.

The Richmond Police Department will continue to use technology responsibly and transparently, in a manner that aligns with our community’s expectations and enhances our ability to solve crimes and keep residents safe. We remain committed to protecting your privacy, being transparent, and using technology in ways that reflect Richmond’s values and expectations. We look forward to implementing enhanced safeguards and reactivating our ALPR system so it can continue to provide valuable investigative leads, hold offenders accountable, and deliver justice for victims and their families.

Scouts hold Christmas Tree Lot at new location in Oakley

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By Scouts Troop 152, Oakley, CA

Oakley Community — We Need Your Help!

We’ve had so many customers tell us they thought our tree lot was closed this year and only found us by chance at our new location — and we don’t want anyone to miss out!

We have lots of beautiful trees ready to go, and 100% of proceeds support our local Scouts (and are tax-deductible).
Will you help us spread the word? Share this post, tell a friend and come visit us at our new spot.

Thank you for supporting our Scouts and keeping this tradition alive!

**NEW LOCATION** 4246 Empire Avenue in Oakley at Revive Church. OPEN 7 days a week. Weekdays 5-8pm, Weekends 10am-8pm.

Richmond Firefighters and Police to hold Toy Program Benefit Raffle Dec. 13

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Gift Giveaway Dec. 20

By The Richmond Fire & Police Toy Program

Each year, Richmond Firefighters and Police Officers come together to bring holiday cheer to families in need through the annual Toy Program. This special event helps ensure that every child can experience the joy of the season.

The joy of watching kids opening their presents is something most parents look forward to at Christmas.  Sadly, some families don’t get to see that joy because they can’t afford presents or even a nice meal.

West County families need your help. Many families struggle to make ends meet during the holidays. You can help a family having tough times. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

This Saturday, Dec. 13, a Benefit Raffle will be held at St. David of Wales Catholic School, located at 871 Sonoma Street, Richmond to support the Program. We will have food, games and more. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts.

The gift giveaway will take place on Dec. 20th at DeJean Middle School at 3400 MacDonald Avenue in Richmond, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Sign-ups to receive gifts have already ended).

About The Richmond Fire and Police Toy Program  

In 1989, Richmond firefighter Rod Woods (now retired) saw the need in the community and organized a small local toy drive to help families in need.  At the same time and separately, the Richmond Police Department also saw the need in the community, only their focus was on providing families with food for that special meal and beyond.

After many years of growing their separate programs and having outgrown the space at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center where the event took place, Fire and Police decided to unite as one entity and file for non-profit status so they could get corporate sponsors to help more families.  Chevron Fire stepped up and continues their support.  El Cerrito Fire also joined for a time.

The E.M. Downer YMCA stepped up to offer a larger space in their gym, as well as providing support for the sign-ups, administrative support and smiles all around.  The program went from serving over 500 families with toys and food to over 1,500 with the addition of a chance to win a donated bicycle.

Corporate sponsors such as Chevron, Mechanics Bank, Richmond Sanitary, Richmond Rotary, Sims Metal, Costco, the Courtyard by Marriott and many others stepped up to the plate to offer not only money, but volunteers who helped with toy bagging, food bagging and at the event itself, handing out bags, helping to carry bags, handling the bike giveaway and much more.  There were bikes to build, trucks to drive to pick up toys, bikes, food and chicken.  Fire and Police, along with community volunteers, came together to make it happen.  The Richmond Police Explorers helped with the logistics and keeping the lines in order, and also with assisting those needing help carrying the bags of toys and food.

Rod Woods was the heart and soul of the program.  His outgoing personality, ability to talk people into giving support in many forms is sorely missed.

For more information or to make a donation visit https://richmondfireandpolicetoyprogram.com, call 510-375-3477 or email info@richmondfireandpolicetoyprogram.com.

See the San Jose Sharks at Oakley on Ice Dec. 13

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By Danielle Navarro, Assistant City Manager, City of Oakley

The San Jose Sharks promo team will be at Oakley on Ice this Saturday, December 13th, from 2:30 to 8:30 pm. There will be interactive games, a prize table, photo ops and more.

Oakley on Ice skating rink is located at Norcross Lane and Main Street behind the Mercantile Building. For more information visit https://oakleyonice.com/.

Police seek suspects in Brentwood veterinarian hospital burglary

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By Brentwood Police Department

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, at around 8:09 a.m., Brentwood officers were dispatched to a veterinarian hospital located on the 1200 block of Central Blvd. for a report of the business possibly being burglarized.

When officers arrived on scene they observed one of the glass doors to the business had been shattered. Officers checked the business and did not locate any suspects inside.

During the initial investigation, it was determined, based on surveillance footage, that on December 6, 2025, shortly after 6:00 a.m., two suspects broke the glass door to gain access to the business. While in the business the suspects, both wearing masks attempted to gain access to the cash register but were unsuccessful. The suspects then took specially made bags containing urns with pet ashes. The two suspects then exited the business a few minutes later through the same broken glass door and left the area by unknown means.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Brentwood Police Department at 925-809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.

62-year-old Pleasant Hill woman sentenced to prison for embezzling from charity serving young people

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Will serve over 2 years for taking over $1.6 million

Spent money on first-class airfare, Warriors game floor seats, 49ers game box seats, Hawaii condo

Restitution amount to be decided later

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

OAKLAND – Carrie Lynn Grant was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for embezzling over $1.6 million from a Northern California charity organization that provides educational materials and programs to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín handed down the sentence this week.

Grant, 62, of Pleasant Hill, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 22, 2024.  Grant pleaded guilty on August 11, 2025, to one count of wire fraud.  According to the plea agreement and court documents, over a period of years from November 2017 to June 2023, Grant abused her role as the finance manager of the charity, depositing charity money into her personal account while creating fraudulent records to cover her tracks.  Grant spent the money on, among other things, first-class air travel, floor seats for a Golden State Warriors game, box seats for a San Francisco 49ers game, and a condominium in Hawaii.  In total, Grant stole more than $1.6 million dollars from the non-profit organization.

United States Attorney Craig Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martínez-Olguín also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  The Court will determine the amount of restitution Grant must pay at a later date.  The defendant will begin serving the sentence on March 9, 2026.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan M. Mateer is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Christine Tian and Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Case No. 24-cr-00403-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Police departments warn community about series of East County residential burglaries

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Many by groups of juveniles

By Pittsburg Police Department

Community Advisement:

We’d like to remind everyone to keep doors locked and windows secured, especially overnight.
Detectives are currently looking into a series of residential burglaries that have occurred in Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, and Brentwood. In many of these incidents, groups of juveniles have entered through unlocked doors, sliding glass doors, or unsecured windows – sometimes by removing window screens. They appear to be looking primarily for vehicle keys, which has unfortunately led to several stolen vehicles.

To help keep your home and property safe, please consider placing your vehicle keys in a secure, less visible area inside your residence rather than near entryways, kitchen counters, or tables.

Our police departments are actively investigating these cases working with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. In the meantime, a few simple preventions steps can go a long way in helping protect our community.

Thank you for your cooperation, and please stay safe.

Concord man who sold fake Willie Mays memorabilia pleads guilty to wire fraud

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San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays in 1955 posing for the camera of an Associated Press photographer. Public domain. Source: Wikpedia

Daniel Damato faces 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine

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

OAKLAND – Daniel Damato pleaded guilty in federal court Monday afternoon, Dec. 8, 2025, to wire fraud in connection with his sales of fraudulent sports memorabilia.  Damato also admitted that he attempted to obstruct the FBI’s investigation into his criminal conduct.

Damato, 42, of Concord, California, was charged by information on October 20, 2025, with one count of wire fraud.  The information alleged that between 2022 and 2024, Damato, a sports memorabilia dealer, doctored and gave false provenance to valuable items to make them appear as authentic sports collectibles, and then attempted to sell the items to unsuspecting buyers at inflated prices.

In pleading guilty, Damato admitted that in 2023, he sold for $100,000 a baseball bat that he falsely represented as having been used by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series.  Despite his assertions to the contrary, the bat Damato sold for $100,000 had not been used in the 1954 World Series and was in fact a “factory error” bat that was an inch shorter than what Mays used during his career.  After the victim buyer sent Damato $100,000 for the supposedly game-used bat, Damato did not send him anything.

Damato also sold other fraudulent items, including a jersey he falsely marketed as having been worn in a game by Mays that Damato sold for $50,000.

After the FBI executed a search warrant on his residence in October 2024, Damato contacted at least one potential witness in an attempt to obstruct the government’s investigation into his conduct.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez made the announcement.

Damato’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 23, 2026, before District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín.  Damato faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Case No. 25-cr-0344-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Police investigate suspicious death in Hercules

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By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, the Hercules Police Department announced they were actively investigating a suspicious death that occurred on Spinel Court, and while the investigation was ongoing, they reassured the public that there was no threat to community members at the time.

Officers and Detectives were on scene and conducted a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Later in the day, the Hercules PD posted, “We have successfully completed our investigation and are no longer asking community members to avoid the area. We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during this incident and would like to once again, assure community members there is no danger or threat from this incident.”

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything, or who has information that could assist investigators, is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Tafesse at 510-799-8271 or etafesse@herculesca.gov.

Hercules Police Department awarded $75,000 STEP grant from state Office of Traffic Safety

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For Selective Traffic Enforcement Program

By City of Hercules

At the Nov. 12 City Council meeting, the Hercules Police Department accepted a $75,000 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This funding will support traffic enforcement efforts that reduce impaired driving and other primary collision factors.

“This grant serves our commitment to keeping Hercules’ drivers and pedestrians safe,” said Police Chief Joseph Vasquez. “With this funding, we are able to further educate our community on safe driving practices and enforce regulations on speeding and impaired driving.”

According to the staff report for the agenda item, “The grant will allow the City to focus on a comprehensive approach to enforce, educate, and encourage compliance with seatbelt use, impaired driving, speed limit, and other traffic laws. Education and enforcement are two very important components of collision reduction. The acceptance of the grant will allow the Hercules Police Department to bolster its enforcement and education efforts in the aforementioned areas of concern.”

The STEP grant will enhance the City’s ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety by focusing on critical enforcement areas such as impaired driving, distracted driving, pedestrian safety and seatbelt and speed laws while also supporting community education initiatives that encourage safe driving behaviors. The funding will allow the Hercules Police Department to perform overtime operations for DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols and traffic enforcement operations linked to distracted and impaired driving.

Hercules has previously used STEP grant funding to purchase electronic citation writers, collision-investigation software and a speed trailer with a digital message board for special events, road closures and speed deterrence. This new funding will allow the Hercules Police Department to continue strengthening its enforcement and education efforts.