Contra Costa Herald

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

First Annual Bay Rideout event by Najee Harris’ Da Bigger Picture Foundation March 8

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Co-founded by NFL running back Najee Harris and his mother, Tianna Hicks, Da Bigger Picture Foundation is a reflection of family, perseverance and giving back. What started as a vision between mother and son has grown into a mission focused on service, youth empowerment and creating real impact where it’s needed most.

Donations fuel every foundation program — from Get Fitted to youth camps, fun events like the Bay Rideout and community drives.

Da Bigger Picture Foundation – Where Confidence Meets Opportunity! Creating access and opportunity for youth through community programs, school partnerships and events that build confidence. For more information or to donate visit https://dabiggerpicture.com

Super Bowl anti-human trafficking operations net 29 traffickers, recovery of 73 victims

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Source: Santa Clara County DA’s Office

Including 7 traffickers in Contra Costa County; CCDA, Pittsburg PD participate

By Lt. Joshua Singleton, Task Force Commander, Human Trafficking Task Force, Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office                 

Days after the Super Bowl, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force reported its own statistics: numbers that showed enhanced investigations resulted in the arrests of 29 traffickers and the recovery of 73 sex trafficking victims, including 10 minors. One of the victims, who was being trafficked in Oakland, was 12 years old.

Law enforcement operations were held throughout 11 Bay Area counties during the lead up to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Similar enforcement is being prepared for the deluge of fans coming to see the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament games at Levi’s Stadium between June 13 and July 1.

Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “Beyond football, the Super Bowl was a triumph of Bay Area law enforcement planning, organization, cooperation, and safety. Human trafficking is not a game, it’s a tragedy. However, our team was very successful. Close to 70 agencies effectively discouraged traffickers from exploiting the game and victims. For traffickers that still came to the game from all over the world with bad intentions, many ended up behind bars.”

The HTTF helped organize the efforts of 67 law enforcement agencies from Sacramento to Monterey.

For two weeks before the big game, the Task Force set up a command center in Sunnyvale populated with more than 20 analysts from various agencies, such as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the DA’s Crime Strategies Unit, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department, federal agencies and partners from community-based organizations such as In Our Backyard, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The analysts worked on tips in real time and worked alongside agents in the field to do investigations and make arrests. Operations that often take weeks took minutes in the enhanced Human Trafficking Tactical Operations Center.

Launching almost 40 operations, investigators recovered 20 victims from San Mateo County alone. Seven traffickers were arrested in Contra Costa County; six in Monterey and Solano counties. In Santa Clara County, seven victims were recovered, two traffickers arrested and a firearm was seized.

View the In Our Backyard 2026 Super Bowl Report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Transit riders enjoy Make A Friend (On Transit) Day in the Bay

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Riders at the Antioch (left & center) and Concord BART Stations (right) make friends on transit Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Photos left & center by Tri Delta Transit and right by Transbay Coalition

Morning and evening riders participated in a game to make personal connections while riding transit

By Transbay Coalition

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 11th, was International Make A Friend Day, and transit advocates were helping people throughout the region to make a friend on transit.  Morning and evening riders participated in a game across Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties to make personal connections while riding transit.

Early that morning hundreds of Bay Area residents participated in Make a Friend (On Transit) Day and wore name tags as they went about their regular BART, Caltrain, ferry and bus trips to celebrate the day and build camaraderie in the Bay.

“It’s good for us all to remember the old saying that strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.” said Carter Lavin, Transbay Coalition Co-Founder. “Transit is a shared public resource, connects us all, and is an integral part of our community. Make A Friend (On Transit) Day may be simple and a bit silly, but we hope it can bring a little more joy and connection.”

Between 7:30 and 9am at 10 BART stations, five Caltrain stations and one ferry terminal across the region, transit advocates across the region passed out materials at all corners of the Bay from Antioch to San Jose, San Francisco to Dublin/Pleasanton, Redwood City to Oakland. Despite a drizzly morning, transit riders wearing name tags with, “Hi my name is _____, ask me about ______” got to know one another while chatting about a range of topics including Bad Bunny, 3D printing, R&B, dancing, hobbits, and much more. A nice reminder that making a new friend can be as simple as getting to know your fellow transit rider.

“Make a Friend Day reminds us that friendship is a powerful bond that connects us all. Let public transit be that bridge; a simple hello to a fellow passenger today has the potential to brighten someone’s world,” says Tri Delta Transit CEO Rashidi Barnes.

In the evening, Transbay Coalition hosted free events at five locations around the Bay for people to gather and have another opportunity for folks to make some new friends.

“Make A Friend on Transit Day is a great reminder that our buses and stations are shared community spaces,” said Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “A simple hello can go a long way.”

Tri Delta Transit, County Connection and LAVTA Wheels helped  with nametag distribution at Antioch, Concord and Dublin/Pleasanton BART stations– which are also bus hubs served by the agencies. BART, Caltrain and SF Bay Ferry promoted the events on social media.

“SF Bay Ferry loves to welcome enthusiastic riders onboard our vessels. We hope that Make a Friend on Transit Day is an opportunity for passengers to connect about their favorite experiences on the ferry,” shared Teo Saragi, SF Bay Ferry spokesperson.

About Transbay Coalition

The Transbay Coalition is a grassroots public transportation advocacy group championing bold near-term solutions to the Bay Area’s regional transportation crisis. Founded to campaign for dedicated bus-only lanes on the Bay Bridge and its approaches, we’re striving to create an equitable and efficient public transit system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our Mission and Vision is to build an equitable, seamless, and successful transportation network in the Bay Area by building a broad-based, ongoing, grassroots movement to advocate for equitable, sustainable public transportation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Nine Oakland-based “Ghost Town” gang members sentenced for 2022 armed robberies of Bay Area businesses

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Including stealing bags of jewelry valued at $300K to $500K from San Pablo jewelry store

Will serve combined 60 years in prison

One suspect arrested 30 times since 2013

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

OAKLAND – Nine associates of the Oakland-based “Ghost Town” gang have been sentenced to a combined total of nearly 60 years in prison for a series of armed robberies targeting small Bay Area businesses.  The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, with the final defendant sentenced today.

The nine defendants, Demarco Barnett, 36 of Oakland; Jakari Jenkins, 34 of Stockton; Danny Garcia, 41; Garland Devonte Rabon, 30 of Mountain House; Aramiya Burrell, 35 of Oakland; Lester Andre Garnett, 34 of Tracy; Darrin Andre Hutchinson, 39 of Cherryland, CA, located between San Leandro and Hayward; Ricky Joseph, 37 of Oakland; and Keanna Alloise Smith-Stewart, 33 of West Sacramento, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce.  Based on their involvement, eight of the defendants also pleaded guilty to a varying number of substantive counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.

The robberies took place in 2022.  On March 18, 2022, the co-conspirators engaged in the armed robbery of a coin and stamp store located on the tenth floor of a building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco.  The co-conspirators entered the store, brandished firearms, and demanded money from the business and the two individuals who happened to be present at the time – the owner and his son. The robbers struck the head and zip-tied the hands of the owner’s son, and absconded with cash, jewelry, and coins.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, and Joseph were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

The co-conspirators then struck a San Pablo jewelry store on Nov. 12, 2022.  Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store and pretended to be customers, while two others waited outside in the getaway cars.  The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000.

As previously reported, the pretend customers left jewelry with the operators of the store. According to the indictment, Jenkins, Barnett, and Rabon arrived at the jewelry store with at least four other co-conspirators and robbed the store of jewelry, including the jewelry that members of the gang previously had left with the store. The robbers arrived in two getaway cars—both Dodge Chargers bearing stolen license plates. Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store while two of the co-conspirators waited outside in the getaway cars. The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000. The indictment describes how all four defendants in the superseding indictment later wore the stolen jewelry, shared the stolen jewelry with other members of Ghost Town gang members, or otherwise made use of the stolen jewelry for their personal purposes.

Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Garcia and Hutchinson were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

A third robbery occurred on Dec. 24, 2022, of a marijuana business in Oakland.  The co-conspirators arrived at the business as an employee was leaving it.  The robbers brandished weapons, directed the employee back into the building at gunpoint, demanding “budded weed” and “money.”  One of the robbers struck the employee in the head with a firearm.  The robbers searched through the employee’s pockets and stole his bank debit card.  The robbers absconded with the victim’s debit card and a bag of marijuana plant trimmings.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Burrell, Garnett, and Garcia were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

The following chart summarizes the number of counts each defendant pleaded guilty to and the sentence each defendant received:

 

Defendant Number of Counts in Guilty Plea Sentence (months)
Demarco Barnett Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies 114
Jakari Jenkins Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies 96
Danny Garcia Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies 84
Garland Rabon Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies 75
Aramiya Burrell Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 82
Lester Garnett Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 70
Darrin Hutchinson Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 70
Ricky Joseph Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 68
Keanna Smith-Stewart Conspiracy 50
Total 709

 

In addition to the custodial time, the Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $150,338.00.

The Violent Crime Strike Force is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department.

Previous Arrests of Suspects

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, 11-inch, 215-pound Demarco is Black and has a history of nine arrests dating back to 2014 including five times for burglary and once for hit-and-run; the five-foot, five-inch tall, 180-pound Jenkins is Black and has been arrested 30 times since 2013 including 14 times for burglary, plus, multiple times for domestic violence, drugs and gun charges; the six-foot tall, 190-pound Rabon is Black and has a history of 11 arrests since 2016 including multiple times for burglary and petty theft, as well as gun charges; the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 195-pound Burrell is Black and has been arrested nine times since 2014 including for carjacking, burglary and multiple gun and ammunition charges; the six-foot, one-inch tall, 190-pound Garnett is Black and has been arrested six times since 2015 including multiple times for burglary as well as for DUI, gun and drug charges; the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 260-pound Hutchinson is Black and has been arrested three times including once for being an addict in possession of a firearm; Joseph is Black and has three arrests including one for burglary; and the five-foot, five inch tall, 135-pound Smith-Stewart is Black and has been arrested once on April 29, 2024, but no details were available. Information about Garcia was requested. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Further Information:

Case No. 23-cr-00191-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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Save Mount Diablo expands free Discover Diablo hikes, outings program for 2026

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Discover Diablo Exploratory hike in Del Puerto Canyon. Photo: Kendra Smith. Inset – People enjoying our Discover Diablo hike looking for newts at Briones Regional Park. Photo: Emily Sherwood.

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

CONTRA COSTA, ALAMEDA, STANISLAUS AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES—Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking and natural areas with Save Mount Diablo in 2026, including places normally closed to the public.

The Discover Diablo outings series offers guided hikes, themed walks, and other outdoor activities: mountain biking; rock climbing; meditation in nature; plein air painting events; and property tours.

New this year are a Green Ranch rove, and a Spanish language hike at Pine Canyon.

We’ll also be continuing much-loved events in 2026 including rock climbing at Mount Diablo State Park and Pinnacles National Park, stargazing with the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society, our Mitchell Canyon medicinal herb walk, Pinnacles condor hikes and our tarantula treks!

Save Mount Diablo is offering a total of 36 more excursions in 2026 in Contra Costa County (Walnut Creek, Clayton, Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Danville, and San Ramon), Alameda County (Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton), Stanislaus County (Patterson), and San Benito County (Hollister and San Juan Bautista). All events are free to the public. Trailblazers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to choose appropriate outings from our extensive offerings.

The Discover Diablo program began in 2017 to connect local communities to the spectacular natural world of the Mount Diablo area and to build awareness about land conservation.

Hikes and outings take place at Save Mount Diablo’s conserved properties or on park lands in the Diablo Range. These include Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation, Contra Costa Water District, Stanislaus County Parks, and National Park Service lands.

Discover Diablo hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

Save Mount Diablo hopes the Discover Diablo series will spark a passion for the Diablo Range and deepen people’s connections to the land and nature.

Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, stated, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, Save Mount Diablo, and the land, helping our communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants, as that is what it will take to ensure the precious Diablo natural areas are taken care of for generations to come.”

There is something right for anyone to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo and within its sustaining Diablo Range, so be sure to hit the trails in 2026 and find your own individual inspiration!

RSVPs required. To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend, registration for hikes and outings will open one month prior to each hike’s date. See our schedule of upcoming hikes and outings; view and RSVP online here: https://savemountdiablo.org/what-we-do/educating-and-inspiring-people/discover-diablo-hikes-outings/

Guest Commentary: There are better alternatives to BART’s cutback plan

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“They should go back to the drawing board and give us a cost savings plan that demands more sacrifice from BART management, senior staff, and retirees.”

By Marc Joffe

BART has published a plan to balance its budget in the event voters reject the half-cent additional transit sales tax slated for the November 2026 ballot. BART’s plan appears to be well thought out but imposes far more inconvenience on riders than is necessary to close an expected $376 million deficit.

The most visible change is the station closures. Under its more extreme Phase 2 plan, BART would close 15 stations systemwide, including these five in Contra Costa: Orinda, North Concord, Pittsburg Bay Point, Pittsburg Center, and Antioch. Oakland Airport station would close, but SFO would stay open. Five other stations in Alameda County south of Oakland would be shuttered, as would four stations in San Mateo County south of Daly City. (See related article)

But most of these stations should not close. As BART itself recognizes, the savings from shuttering stations are not that large. And there is an alternative that would achieve a large portion of the expected savings, which is to operate the stations on an unstaffed basis. This idea may seem strange to BART riders expecting to see a station agent, but the fact is that many train stations in California operate without staff, including several on Capitol Corridor and Caltrain. Even Pittsburg Center on e-BART often operates without staff.

That said, both Pittsburg Center and North Concord have very low utilization (less than 1000 riders on an average weekday) and are reasonable candidates for closure. Indeed, BART should demolish the North Concord station and sell the parking lot to a developer for conversion to single family housing, a use consistent with the adjoining neighborhood.

Pittsburg Center, being in the median of Highway 4, does not offer a similar redevelopment option. It is one of three stations on the eBART extension connecting Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point using standard-gauge diesel multiple-unit trains which are incompatible with the rest of BART. The BART retrenchment plan envisions closing the whole eBART extension. A better choice would be to find a private operator to take it over.

That operator should be given discretion over fares and the option to convert the line to driverless technology in hopes of achieving a profit or at least minimizing the need for taxpayer subsidies.

As anyone who has visited an airport in the last few decades knows, driverless trains are nothing new. Outside the Bay Area, they are used for non-airport systems such as Honolulu’s Skyline and Vancouver’s Skytrain. Paris, Singapore, and other cities have successfully converted some of their lines to autonomous operation and Washington DC’s Metro is looking into doing the same thing.

Over the longer term, the entire BART system should be driverless: it could achieve large operational cost savings while maintaining or even increasing service frequency. Yet BART is not giving serious consideration to transitioning to driverless trains. When BART Director Matt Rinn spoke to CoCoTax in November I asked him about the idea and saw that he was unfamiliar with it. Staff should be discussing this option with the governing board.

They don’t do so because BART operates primarily for the benefit of staff and the labor unions that collect a portion of their salaries via dues. Riders are second, and taxpayers are a distant third.

Contra Costa taxpayers already pay plenty for transit, and, this November, it is time for us to tell BART and other agencies “no more.” They should go back to the drawing board and give us a cost savings plan that demands more sacrifice from BART management, senior staff, and retirees.

One change that should be considered is a 10% salary reduction for all BART employees receiving over $100,000 per year. Based on my analysis of 2024 wage and overtime data, this option would save $54 million. Costly overtime hours should also be limited: in 2024 alone five BART employees collected over $200,000 in overtime a piece.

BART’s plan defers advanced payments for retiree health benefits. This saves $38 million, but only by pushing the cost onto future taxpayers when the fund holding the advance retiree health funding is exhausted. Instead, the BART retiree health benefit should be eliminated just as it was for Stockton employees when that city went bankrupt in 2012. With BART facing functional bankruptcy in 2026, a similar economy is needed. Retirees can get subsidized healthcare through Covered California or Medicare just as those of us who work in the private sector usually do.

Salary and benefit cuts in addition to the layoffs BART already has planned may seem harsh, but these are the types of reductions companies have to make when they are losing money and there is less demand for their product. Because BART now needs more of our money, we have the power to veto any cost-saving plan that fails to prioritize the needs of beleaguered taxpayers and riders. Let’s exercise that veto. In November, say NO to the transit sales tax.

Marc Joffe is the President of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

Joint statement from Carlson, Gioia, other Bay Area county supervisors reaffirming support for immigrant community in advance of Super Bowl LX

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By Victor Benedict Tiglao, Communications Associate, Office of Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson

“Across the Bay Area, we stand united in our commitment to the dignity, safety and belonging of every community member, regardless of immigration status. As we prepare for the Super Bowl this weekend, and upcoming major sporting events in 2026, our message is simple: Unity over division, power over panic, and care for one another.

To our immigrant community members: You belong here. This region is our collective home, and you are at the heart of what makes the Bay Area one of the most diverse, innovative and vibrant places in the world.

We recognize that many across the Bay Area are experiencing fear and anxiety at this time. As local jurisdictions, we have clear policies in place to protect the safety of all residents across the region, including our immigrant communities. Local law enforcement remains focused on keeping everyone safe and building trust in our communities.

In the Bay Area, our strength lies in each other. When we stay informed and support one another, we make our region safe and strong. Rapid Response Networks, community-based organizations, and county resources continue to be available to support residents across the Bay Area.

Source: ACLU SoCal

As a connected, resilient region, we are unwavering in our commitment to our immigrant communities. Together, let’s look out for our families and neighbors, follow verified information, and continue to draw pride and power from our shared connection to this extraordinary place we call home.”

Supervisor Ken Carlson, Contra Costa County

Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County

Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koge, Santa Clara County

Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, Santa Clara County

Supervisor David J. Canepa, San Mateo County

Supervisor Connie Chan, San Francisco City and County

Supervisor Chyanne Chen, San Francisco City and County

Supervisor Noelia Corzo, San Mateo County

Supervisor Betty Duong, Santa Clara County

Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, Santa Clara County

Supervisor Jackie Fielder, San Francisco City and County

Supervisor Nikki Fortunato-Bas, Alameda County

Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, San Mateo County

Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, Sonoma County

Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma County

Supervisor Cassandra James, Solano County

Supervisor Otto Lee, Santa Clara County

Supervisor Eric Lucan, Marin County

Supervisor Elisa Márquez, Alameda County

Supervisor Monica Martinez, Santa Cruz County

Supervisor Myrna Melgar, San Francisco City and County

Supervisor Ray Mueller, San Mateo County

Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, Marin County

Supervisor Mindy Sotelo, San Benito County

Supervisor Jackie Speier, San Mateo County

Supervisor Shamann Walton, San Francisco City and County

_______________________________________________________________________
We are asking the public to build power, not panic, and to avoid spreading fear or misinformation. Use the Rapid Response Network in your area to share and receive accurate and verified information.

Contra Costa County: 925-900-5151

Alameda County: 510-241-4011

Marin County: 415-991-4545

Monterey County: 831-204-8082

Napa County: 707-800-4544

San Benito County: 831-204-8082

San Francisco City and County: 415-200-1548

San Mateo County: 203-666-4472

Santa Clara County: 408-290-1144

Santa Cruz County: 831-239-4289

Solano County: 707-800-4544

Sonoma County: 707-800-4544

Drone operator charged for flight near Levi’s Stadium during NFL game

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Violated temporary restrictions at Rams vs. Niners contest on Nov. 9, 2025; faces one year in prison and $100K fine

No Drone Zones this week in S.F., at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX & related events; violators face up to $75K fine, more

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

SAN JOSE – A San Francisco man was charged in a federal criminal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a National Football League (NFL) game in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to the criminal complaint and court documents filed today, Junwei Guo, 27, operated a drone within the airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025, during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.  As court documents describe, the FAA has issued a TFR that prohibits all aircraft, including drones, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during, among other events, regular or post-season NFL games.  The “stadium TFR” classifies the airspace defined in the restriction as “National Defense Airspace” and remains in effect for a specified time period before, during, and after the qualifying event.

The complaint alleges that Guo flew the drone as high as approximately 2,300 feet above ground level, an altitude that raises significant concerns for public safety and the potential disruption air traffic control in the area.  Guo allegedly did not register the drone with the FAA, obtain a remote pilot’s certificate with the FAA, obtain FAA authorization to fly the drone in national defense airspace, or comply with the requirements of the FAA’s recreational use exception.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Defendant is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, 2026, for an initial appearance.

A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the charged violation of national defense airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 46307.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Liu is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Natachiana Burney.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Santa Clara Police Department.

No Drone Zone for Super Bowl LX Week

The FAA, in coordination with the FBI, has established a “No Drone Zone” for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026, with additional drone restrictions surrounding Levi’s Stadium and in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event. Areas include the Moscone Center, The Pearl, The Ferry Building, Grace Cathedral and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without authorization may face fines of up to $75,000, drone confiscation and federal criminal charges, with the FBI identifying operators, seizing drones, and supporting prosecution

For more information, please visit: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-and-fbi-announce-strict-no-drone-zones-super-bowl-lx.

Further Information:

Case No. 26-cr-70083-MAG

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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Connect Bay Area campaign raises nearly $3 million to support signature gathering for regional transit tax measure

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Multiple Bay Area transit agencies would benefit from the five-county sales tax measure. Photo: MTC. Graphics source: Connect Bay Area

Businesses, labor unions, civic foundations join effort for 5-county Nov. 2026 ballot measure to prevent threatened catastrophic transit service cuts, promote reliable, safe public transit

Includes Contra Costa; would generate about $1 billion per year

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA — The Connect Bay Area Transit committee today announced that it has already raised nearly $3 million to support a region-wide effort to qualify Connect Bay Area, a voter-proposed regional transportation funding measure, for the November 2026 ballot. With strong early financial backing secured, the campaign will now begin signature gathering while continuing to fundraise to qualify and pass a five-county sales tax to save public transit.

About the Tax Measure

The measure if adopted would increase the sales tax in Contra Costa, Alameda San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties by a half cent and one cent in San Francisco County for 14 years. As previously reported, the measure would generate approximately $980 million annually across the five counties.

Revenue from the tax measure will benefit multiple transit agencies in the region including Tri Delta Transit, County Connection and WestCat, as well as AC Transit and BART which serve Contra Costa County residents.

Following is a county-by-county breakdown of the County Specific Dollars. It does not include money going to BART, Muni, AC Transit and Caltrain, or to regional improvements that aren’t designated by county, such as coordinated fare programs and accessibility improvements.

County Agencies:

  • Contra Costa County Transportation Authority (2.5%, $26.51M)
  • Alameda County Transportation Commission (1%, $10.26M)
  • San Mateo County Transit District (4.7%, $50M)
  • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (25.1%, $264.07M)

Small Operators:

  • Contra Costa County small operators (1.5%, $15.75M)
  • Alameda County small operators (0.5%, $5.25M)
  • SF Bay Ferry (0.7%, $7M)
  • Golden Gate Transit (0.1%, $1M)

Without new and sustainable operations funding, the Bay Area will face a true emergency:

  • BART: Could shut down two of its five lines, reducing service from 4,500 trains per week to just 500, with trains running only hourly and no weekend service.
  • AC Transit: Would reduce service by 37%, bringing operations down to just half of pre-pandemic levels.
  • Muni: Would face 50% cuts to all bus and Metro lines, including elimination of entire neighborhood routes and San Francisco’s iconic historic trolleys and cable cars.
  • Caltrain: Trains would run only once per hour, end service by 9 p.m. on weekdays, and eliminate all weekend service.

The Connect Bay Area measure will support the future of public transportation in the Bay Area:

  • Protect and improve service on BART, Muni, Caltrain, SamTrans, VTA and AC Transit
  • Prevent catastrophic service cuts that could devastate the Bay Area
  • Keep traffic and emissions down, preventing gridlock and protecting climate progress;
  • Support the Bay Area’s economy, ensuring that downtown recovery and regional mobility remain strong.

The Connect Bay Area Transit measure will include strong accountability provisions. This ensures new funding delivers real improvements, not just short-term fixes. Transit agencies must:

  • Independent financial review and cost-efficiency: Operators will undergo a third-party financial review and be required to improve financial efficiency and use public funds wisely
  • Better regional coordination to benefit riders: Operators will be required to comply with MTC’s Regional Network Management Policies to coordinate across systems and simplify fares and signage to create a more seamless experience for riders.
  • Oversight Committee: An oversight committee will ensure that the expenditure plan is adhered to and hold MTC and operators accountable to all provisions of SB63.

About the Campaign

The campaign’s initial fundraising success reflects broad alignment across business, labor, philanthropy, and community leaders that a reliable, safe, and efficient public transportation system is vital to the future of the Bay Area. Major early donors include Chris Larsen, Herzog Contracting Corporation, Genentech, HNTB Corporation, Meta, and SEIU 1021. For a full list of donors, see below.

“Public transportation connects everyone. We are proud of the broad coalition uniting to prevent catastrophic service cuts and to build an affordable, safe, and efficient public transportation system,” said Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for the Connect Bay Area Transit Committee. “The commitments we are seeing from business, labor, and civic leaders shows that everyone is ready to get this measure across the finish line in November.”

Connect Bay Area is a five-county regional tax measure designed to prevent catastrophic transit service cuts and provide reliable operating funding for major transit systems and local bus operators throughout the region. The measure also funds improvements to transit systems, capital projects within counties, and targeted road improvements. The measure is critical to supporting the Bay Area’s economy, promoting an affordable region, reducing traffic congestion, and ensuring access to jobs, schools, and healthcare.

Early financial support for the campaign includes commitments from:

  • Chris Larsen
  • Herzog Contracting Corporation
  • Genentech
  • HNTB Corporation
  • Meta
  • SEIU 1021
  • Jacobs
  • Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  • ATU Local 1555
  • PG&E
  • San Francisco Foundation
  • WSP
  • Golden State Warriors
  • AFSCME Local 3993
  • Boston Properties
  • Visa
  • AFSCME Council 57
  • T.Y. Lin
  • GILLIG
  • HDR, Inc.
  • Fehr & Peers
  • AFSCME 3916
  • Arup North America
  • Olson Remcho

Additional major employers, labor organizations, and philanthropic partners have indicated commitments that are expected to be finalized as the campaign continues to build momentum.

With signature gathering starting, the Connect Bay Area campaign will focus on qualifying the measure for the ballot while continuing to expand its coalition across the region. The Campaign must secure over 186,000 signatures from the five counties by June 6, 2026 to qualify for the November ballot.

The campaign’s early momentum comes as Bay Area transit agencies face an unprecedented funding crisis. Without a sustainable solution, public transportation in the the region could see devastating impacts, including:

  • BART could eliminate 2 full lines, stop service at 9pm on weekdays, and eliminate all weekend service.
  • Muni could eliminate entire routes, make 50% cuts to major bus and metro lines, gut historic train and cable car service.
  • Caltrain could cut weekday service to once an hour, stop service at 9pm on weekdays, and eliminate all weekend service.
  • AC Transit could cut up to 37% of overall service.

Recent polling on the proposed Connect Bay Area measure shows a clear path to passage, with strong support across counties and voter demographics. A survey conducted by EMC Research for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission found that 59% of Bay Area voters would support a proposed regional sales tax measure for public transportation. The threshold for passage for a signature-gathering initiative is 50%+1.

For more information about Connect Bay Area, visit ConnectBayArea.com.

About the Connect Bay Area Transit Committee

The Connect Bay Area Transit Committee is led by labor, business, and transit supporters, including the Bay Area Council, SEIU 1021, ATU 1555, SPUR, SAMCEDA, among others, as well as a broad advocacy council. The advocacy council includes more than 20 organizations including transit advocates, housing advocates, safe streets advocates, senior and disability advocates, and environmentalists. The Committee is focused on delivering a successful 2026 ballot measure that will strengthen public transportation to keep the Bay Area affordable for residents and support critical economic growth and climate resilience.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two Concord men among four charged in Fremont jewelry store heist

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20-year-old Jose Herrada-Aragon, 19-year-old Andres Palestino, two others stole $1.7 million of merchandise, each face 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine

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

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has indicted four defendants, Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield, in connection with the June 18, 2025, robbery of a jewelry store in Fremont.  Faasisila and Palestino were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearances in district court today.  Herrada-Aragon and Donegan are currently in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody.

Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon, Palestino, and Donegan were initially charged by complaint on December 8, 2025, and subsequently indicted on December 18, 2025.  The indictment, unsealed today, charges each defendant with one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce.  According to the criminal complaint and other court documents, on June 18, 2025, over two dozen masked individuals conducted a takeover-style robbery of a Kumar Jewelers located on Mowry Avenue in Fremont.  Surveillance video captured a gray Honda ramming into the store’s front façade to force entry.  One individual brandished a firearm at the store’s security guard, while another held the guard’s arms and forced him to the ground.  Dozens of masked individuals, including Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon and Palestino, allegedly stormed the business, which was occupied at the time.  Once inside, the robbers used hammers and other tools to smash display cases and grab the jewelry contained within, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $1.7 million worth of jewelry.  After ransacking the store, the robbers left with the stolen goods and got into waiting vehicles to flee. (See additional details in the NBC Bay Area news report)

The complaint alleges that Donegan drove one of the getaway vehicles, leading responding police officers on a vehicle pursuit before eventually crashing the car in another part of Fremont.  There, the four defendants exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, only to be apprehended by officers.  Several pieces of stolen jewelry were recovered in the defendants’ flight path and the abandoned vehicle, which had also been reported stolen.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Palestino is next scheduled to appear in federal court in Oakland for an arraignment on January 14, 2026, and Faasisila is next scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on January 16, 2026.

A complaint or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of robbery affecting interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sloan Heffron and Wendy Garbers of the Violent Crime Strike Force are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lakisha Holliman and Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Fremont Police Department.

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

According to localcrimenews.com, Herrada-Aragon was also arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, by Concord Police for warrants or holds only.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, as of this morning, Palestino was being transferred to another facility.

Further Information:

Case No. 25-cr-00435-HSG

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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.