News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California
A suspect was caught on surveillance camera dragging out a bag of stolen goods at the Brentwood Kohl’s store on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Source: Brentwood PD
Maya Usher. Source: LinkedIn
Jared Michael Theobald arrested and the gun tossed in the bushes on Dec. 18, 2023. Photos: Pleasant Hill PD
By Pleasant Hill Police Department
Nice catch by our graveyard officers!
Last night, Dec. 18, 2023, our officers responded to Kohl’s to assist loss prevention employees in deterring a couple of shoplifters. It was also determined that the suspects drove up in a stolen car. As our officers went to contact the male suspect, he took off running and tried to hide and disguise his appearance. Unfortunately for him, he was quickly located in a business pretending to order a pizza.
He was identified as Jared Michael Theobald of Vallejo, age 41. Theobald was discovered to have a felony warrant as well and was in possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamine and heroin. Officers scoured the area for a Nike bag Theobald was seen carrying earlier. It was eventually located dumped in a planter and contained a 9mm pistol loaded with hollow point rounds. Theobald was booked into county jail on multiple felonies. His female companion cooperated with officers and was eventually release from the scene.
We work closely with retail loss prevention, many times resulting in arrests for crimes that go beyond shoplifting. Good work by all involved!
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Theobald was transferred to another facility and according to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, he is out of custody on general release as of Dec. 22.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse at night. Photo by California State Parks using Fresnel lens.
PESCADERO, Calif.— California State Parks today announced the selection of a contractor to rehabilitate the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, located within Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. The $16 million rehabilitation project will start construction in early 2024 and is expected to be completed within two years.
Named for the 1853 wreck of the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon, Pigeon Point Lighthouse was first lit on Nov. 15, 1872. The 115-foot structure is the tallest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Pigeon Point Light Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—a reminder of the days when whalers and Gold Rush-era clipper ships fought gales, stiff seas, jagged coastal rocks, and unforgiving fog. The lighthouse has been closed to the public since late 2001, when it was deemed unsafe after two large pieces of brick and iron fell from the top of the building. Funding issues, COVID-19 and a thoughtful process to ensure a contractor with the special skills to work on a lighthouse was selected have been the reasons for the continued closure of this historic building.
“California State Parks looks forward to once again providing public access to this historic landmark that continues to guide mariners along the rocky San Mateo County coast,” stated Santa Cruz District Superintendent Chris Spohrer. “Thank you to our partners for their support over the years and the public for their patience.”
Pigeon Point Lighthouse during the day. Photo from California State Parks by J. Barrow
Sustainable Group, Inc. of Moraga, CA, and subcontractor ICC Commonwealth of North Tonawanda, New York, have extensive experience in lighthouse rehabilitation and restoration in the United States. Jointly, they have worked on nearly 100 lighthouses, including several built to the same blueprints as Pigeon Point, including Bodie Island, North Carolina; Currituck Beach, North Carolina; and Yaquina Head, Oregon, as well as numerous other tall lighthouses. For the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, the contractors will refurbish or replace all the ironwork throughout the building. Masonry elements will also be repaired or replaced as needed. A major focus of the project will be the upper belt course or cast-iron ring where two large pieces broke away in late 2001, compromising the building’s structural integrity.
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park relies upon its collaborative relationships with its nonprofit partners, including Coastside State Parks Association, California State Parks Foundation and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. These organizations provide support for the tower restoration, the operation of the park and the development of visitor-serving programs and amenities.
To learn how the public can support the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Restoration project or enhance the visitor experience at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, please visit CoastSideStateParks.org. Restoration project updates are available at parks.ca.gov/PigeonPointLighthouseRestoration.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
Smoke from the grassfire caused by the flaring at the Martinez Refining Company refinery on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Photo: BAAQMD
By Bay Area Air Quality Management District
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) inspectors responded to five air quality complaints related to a grass fire reported by Martinez Refining Company refinery in Martinez on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. On Monday, the Air District issued a Notice of Violation for public nuisance for this event. The Air District’s investigation is ongoing.
Three additional Notices of Violation have been issued for this event: two for visible emissions and one for illegal fire on a no burn day. This investigation is ongoing.
The updated incident report is as follows:
December 17
At 4:26 PM Sunday, the Air District received a Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) Level 1 alert filed by Martinez Refining Company (MRC) regarding a grass fire. The alert specifically stated that the smoke was from a grassfire. The alert did not mention flaring directly, but when Air District staff contacted MRC to discuss the CWS Level 1 alert, they said the grass fire was caused by “the heat of the flare.”
Air District Incident Response staff contacted MRC at 5:21 PM and were told that the grass fire had started at about 4:20 PM and was extinguished at approximately 5:10 PM. Two Air District staff were called out to the Martinez area to investigate. Five complaints alleging smoke and/or odor were filed between 4:30 PM and 5:07 PM. The adjacent photo of the grass fire was provided to the Air District by a complainant. The wind during the event was Northeast at 8-15 miles per hour. Based on the smoke plume observed, the Air District staff questioned MRC staff on a grass fire being the sole cause. At that time, an MRC representative told Air District staff that it was a grass fire.
December 18
On Monday, Air District staff, with Contra Costa County HazMat and Contra Costa County Fire personnel returned to MRC Refinery in the morning to jointly investigate the previous day’s event. The Air District investigation is ongoing and we will update this report as new information becomes available.
At this time, the Air District has issued the following Notice of Violations (NOV) to MRC for this event:
For more information on the NOVs, click the link to the NOV web tool.
Martinez Refining Company Issues Statement:
On their website, MRC posted the following statement regarding the flaring and fire:
Intermittent flaring has continued at the Martinez Refining Company this weekend while we re-start equipment that was shut down during the operational incident that occurred on Friday, December 15.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on December 17, a ground flare was in operation as part of the re-start process that caused visible black smoke and a brush fire. The brush fire was promptly contained, and subsequently extinguished at approximately 5:00 p.m.
All appropriate agencies were notified, and we thank our responders for their safe, effective response. We apologize for the concerns we caused the community and will be conducting a root cause analysis of the incident. Looking forward, we expect the potential for intermittent flaring to last through most of this week; however, we are working hard to minimize flaring and to maintain clean combustion for any flaring that may occur.
You are welcome to view real-time air monitoring measurements at our fence line air monitoring website: https://www.fenceline.org/martinez/. Additionally, you can learn more about flaring on our website: https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/about-flaring/.
As always, we have a community inquiry phone number you can call 925-313-3777 or 925-313-3601 during off work hours. Thank you.”
When asked, an MRC spokesperson said the company didn’t have a comment on the NOV’s at this time as they had just received them.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
American Red Cross. (PRNewsFoto/American Red Cross)
Now in its 29th year, the Red Cross Gala is a volunteer-led fundraiser dedicated to recognizing local heroes and supporting the Red Cross mission. This signature fundraising event, themed “Building Bridges of Hope,” will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Pier 27 in San Francisco and will celebrate its 2023 Honorees: Delta Dental and the Regional Blood Services Volunteer Committee.
“As Co-Chair of this year’s Gala, I am honored to stand alongside individuals and organizations committed to making a difference” said Pat Hayes, who is serving alongside fellow Co-Chair Elizabeth J. Folger. “We hope you can join us for an unforgettable night where we not only applaud the accomplishments of the Red Cross but also inspire each other to continue the journey of positive change.”
THE HONOREES
During the black-tie event, the Red Cross will present new and seasoned volunteers Michael Gregory, Kathryn W. Holmes, Nichole Jordan and Jasper Smith with the 2023 Red Cross Humanitarians of the Year Award for their work as members of the Regional Blood Services Volunteer Committee. Collectively, this committee has dedicated their time and talent to the Red Cross and supported Blood Services by donating blood, hosting blood drives, providing financial contributions and innovative ideas. This team is wholeheartedly committed to the Red Cross mission and serves as an inspiration to the organization.
“The committee’s commitment to our mission and their tireless dedication to saving lives is truly remarkable,” shared Justin Mueller, Donor Services Executive for the Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “We are honored to recognize their selfless efforts, and we extend our heartfelt thanks as they serve as an inspiration to make an impact within our community.”
The Red Cross will also recognize Delta Dental as the 2023 Red Cross Philanthropic Company of the Year. “Delta Dental is proud to support the mission of the American Red Cross and honored to receive the 2024 Red Cross Philanthropic Company of the Year Award,” said Kenzie Ferguson, Vice President of Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility for Delta Dental of California and affiliates. “Our partnership not only underscores our commitment to building resilient communities but also amplifies the efforts of the Red Cross in times of need.”
A major financial supporter for 34 years, Delta Dental has been a Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program partner since 2017, pledging $500,000 in annual giving, ensuring that the Red Cross is ready to respond whenever disaster strikes. But their dedication doesn’t stop there: they’re involved in other meaningful ways, including hosting blood drives and employee engagement events, building personal hygiene kits, providing skill-based volunteers for our Code4Good program, a first-of-its-kind volunteer workforce that gives software engineers and engineering leaders an opportunity to support the Red Cross, and engaging board members.SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS Hosted by Co-Chairs Patrick “Pat” Hayes and Elizabeth J. Folger, the 2024 Red Cross Gala will feature a cocktail reception, a three-course dinner curated by Componere Fine Catering, a live auction and entertainment. Since its inception, this fundraiser’s purpose has remained steadfast: to celebrate and sustain the lifesaving programs and services of the Red Cross. All proceeds raised through this event will support Red Cross Blood Services. The Gala is made possible by Gold Sponsor Delta Dental and Honorary Committee Members, Juan Benitez, Kathryn W. Holmes and Nichole Jordan.
To view our full list of Gala committee members and additional event details, please visit redcross.org/redcrossgalasf.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or find us on Facebook.
Contra Costa Health (CCH) recommends that anyone who has spent time inside California Grand Casino in Pacheco since 2018 consider a tuberculosis (TB) test, after recent genetic testing revealed several related cases among staff and customers over the past five years.
Of the 11 confirmed TB cases, 10 are genetically linked and the majority are associated with staff or customers at the casino. The 11th case has not yet been genetically tested.
CCH has so far not identified a current or ongoing source of transmission at the casino. CCH is working closely with casino management to ensure prompt, appropriate testing, health advice and screening for all its staff.
“We are making this recommendation now because there is new evidence that TB may have spread among people who spent time at the casino from 2018 to 2023,” said Dr. Meera Sreenivasan, deputy health officer for Contra Costa County. “TB can live inside someone for years without showing signs of its presence. That is why it’s important to take a test, even if you do not feel sick. TB can cause serious illness, but it is treatable and curable with medicine, especially when caught early.”
To date, CCH has contacted more than 300 people who may have been exposed to active TB and is working with California Grand management to provide health education to staff and to encourage testing.
Symptoms of active TB can include a persistent or bloody cough, fever, unexpected weight loss, night sweats and fatigue.
TB bacteria can live inside a person for months or years without causing any symptoms, so even people with no symptoms should talk to their healthcare providers about getting a TB test if they believe they may have been exposed.
TB can spread when a person who has developed symptoms coughs or breathes out droplets containing the bacteria, particularly in an enclosed space over a long period of time, such as several hours.
The only way to know if someone was infected after a TB exposure is to test.
If you believe you may have been exposed to TB, talk to your healthcare provider or call CCH’s TB Client Services Program at 925-313-6740 if you are uninsured or need advice about next steps. Visit cchealth.org/tb for more information about TB.
Grady Bond
Vacaville, Calif. – Travis Credit Union (TCU), today announced the appointment of Grady Bond as its new Chief Retail Officer (CRO). In this position, Bond will assume responsibility for branch management, member experience, member relationship center, wealth management, digital services, deposits, and payment products. His strategic vision and deep industry knowledge will drive innovation and enhance the overall member experience at TCU.
“Grady’s extensive background in retail channels and product innovation make him the perfect choice to lead our retail operations,” said Kevin Miller, TCU President and CEO. “His strategic insights will be instrumental in shaping the future of TCU, and we are confident that his leadership will enable us to continue providing exceptional financial services to our members.”
Bond joins TCU from Bank of the West, where he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Consumer, Business, & Wealth Deposit Product & Strategy. In addition, his distinguished career includes diverse roles at TD Bank, Chase, and Bank of America, where he honed his skills in branch management, product management, and consumer banking strategy.
“Joining Travis Credit Union and making a positive impact on our teams, members and communities is priority one at the moment,” said Bond. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to further enhance our member experience and drive innovation to meet our members’ needs.”
As the 12th largest credit union in California, Bond’s appointment as Chief Retail Officer underscores TCU’s commitment to the financial wellness of its members and communities.
About Travis Credit Union
Travis Credit Union, based in Vacaville, CA, has been recognized at the federal, state and local levels for its longstanding financial education and financial advocacy efforts. In 2022, TCU was once again selected as a Best-In-State Credit Union by Forbes. It has also earned the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Credit Union of the Year award in recent years. Founded in 1951 on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA, TCU today serves 12 Northern California counties. It is the twelfth largest credit union in California, with 245,000 members and nearly $5 billion in assets. Learn more about our mission at traviscu.org.
Source: BBB
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is sounding the alarm on digital ghouls and cyber predators that could haunt the corners of our everyday digital lives. Recent data from the BBB Scam Tracker reveals concerning statistics, emphasizing the urgency for consumers to be vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves.
One of the most alarming threats is the rise of social media scams where scammers exploit consumer trust, with a staggering 91% engagement rate and 53% resulting in financial loss. “Social media platforms are full of suspicious characters,” warns Lori Wilson, President and CEO of BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California. “Be especially careful if you spot offers in your social media channels that look too good to be true – scammers often lure victims that way.”
Another menacing threat is the proliferation of hacked “smart” devices, exposing households to potential intrusions by cybercriminals. The “Internet of Things” has expanded to include an array of devices, ranging from cars to refrigerators, becoming potential security and privacy vulnerabilities. Intruders can exploit these devices, turning them into conduits for unauthorized access.
Phishing attacks also pose a danger, where individuals and organizations fall victim to disguised evildoers posing as trusted contacts, resulting in data breaches and financial losses. Additionally, the rapidly growing cryptocurrency markets have become a playground for tricksters, making it vital for consumers to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before considering any investments.
The BBB offers several essential cybersecurity tips to protect against these ominous threats:
For more cybersecurity tips and resources, visit BBB.org/cybersecurity.
ABOUT BBB: Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization striving to advance marketplace trust. For over a century, BBB has been fostering an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. BBB sets standards for ethical business behavior and monitors compliance. BBB helps consumers identify trustworthy businesses and those that aren’t and encourages its Accredited Businesses to uphold these standards.
By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Oct. 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment against Ari J. Lauer, 59, of Lafayette, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, for his role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Lauer is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, and from approximately 2009 to January 2019, he was outside counsel to DC Solar and provided legal and business advice concerning DC Solar’s operations. The indictment was unsealed today following Lauer’s arrest.
According to court documents, between 2011 and 2018, DC Solar manufactured mobile solar generators that were mounted on trailers. The company touted the versatility and environmental sustainability of the generators and claimed that they were used to provide emergency power to cellphone towers and lighting at sporting and other events. A significant incentive for investors were generous federal tax credits due to the solar nature of the generators. Jeff Carpoff, 52, Paulette Carpoff, 49, both of Martinez, and their co-conspirators solicited investors to invest in the generators in large multimillion-dollar transactions using a variety of fraudulent techniques.
A key part of the fraud was that investors would never actually take possession of the generators. Instead, DC Solar typically leased those generators back from the investors, and claimed to sublease them to third parties to generate revenue. In reality there was very little actual third-party rental demand for the generators, yet when Lauer and the other co-conspirators learned this, they continued to represent falsely to investors that the rental market for the generators was robust.
In June 2012, Lauer, Jeff Carpoff, and others met to discuss the failure to generate third-party lease revenue sufficient to meet their financial obligations to the investors. The conspirators agreed to conceal that lack of third-party lease revenue from current and prospective investors, by, among other things, making periodic transfers of investor money from one account to another while misrepresenting the flow of funds as third-party lease revenue. Lauer and other members of the conspiracy created a circular payment system they referred to as “re-rent.” In 2014, they created a “re-rent agreement,” backdating the document to 2011, and used it to explain the large sums of money being transferred from one account to another. In fact, the real source of money was new investor money, which was being used to pay obligations to existing investors. The indictment further alleges that Lauer and other members of the conspiracy prepared sublease agreements with “concealed addendums” that materially altered the terms of the contracts. They used the sublease agreements to defraud investors.
Between March 2011 and Dec. 18, 2018, investors collectively invested approximately $759,400,000 and several financial institutions and other investors transferred collectively $152,700,000 to DC Solar as part of related transactions for the purchase and lease of generators. In total, DC Solar closed transactions with investors that contributed an aggregate of more than $912 million to purchase generators. Those transactions purportedly involved approximately 17,000 generators, at approximately $2.5 billion in purported value.
During the conspiracy, approximately 94% to 95% of the supposed lease revenue on the books was actually intercompany transfers disguised as new investor money. In truth, third-party end-user demand for generators never exceeded 5% of the revenue that was claimed. (Learn more about the DC Solar scheme)
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.
On Nov. 9, 2021, Jeff Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $790,600,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His wife Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering. She was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to 11 years and three months in prison.
On Nov. 16, 2021, Joseph W. Bayliss, 48, of Martinez, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $481,300,000 in restitution for securities fraud and conspiracy in connection with the DC Solar scheme. On April 12, 2022, DC Solar CFO Robert A. Karmann, 57, of Clayton, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $624 million. On May 31, 2022, Alan Hansen, 50 of Vacaville, was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering. Ryan Guidry, 48, of Pleasant Hill, was sentenced on Jan. 31, 2023, to six years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $619,415,950 in restitution for to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering.
Ronald J. Roach, 55, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14, 2023. Roach faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 8:46AM Oakley Police Officer D. Navarrette was dispatched to 2005 Main Street, Suite B for a burglary to Uncle Wong Chinese Restaurant. Upon arrival Officer Navarrette observed the front glass door to the restaurant was broken. Officer Navarrette entered the closed restaurant and noticed the cash register area had been ransacked and it appeared as if the cash register had been stolen. Officer Navarrette had the owner of the restaurant respond to confirm if there was any loss. The victim did confirm the cash register was missing along with a credit card reader and an undisclosed amount of cash. In addition to the loss there had been approximately $500 worth of damage done to the restaurant.
Officer Navarrette began his investigation, and he discovered the suspect had been captured on a security camera from inside the restaurant. The security camera footage revealed the suspect forcibly entered the restaurant at 2:43 AM. Officer Navarrette circulated an image of the suspect to all of the other police officer of the Oakley Police Department in hopes somebody would make a recognition.
On October 12, 2023, Officer C. Johnson was on patrol on the west end of town and saw a male who matched the image of what Officer Navarrette had circulated and he was still wearing the same exact clothing as from the night before. Officer Johnson contacted the person and the person admitted to committing the burglary. Officer Johnson arrested the person and booked him into jail. The suspect was not in possession of any of the stolen goods when he was arrested.
The suspect in this case is a young man named Jonathan Douglas (18, Concord/Oakley). I further understand the suspect in this case is down on his luck. What I see in this case however, is a criminal act and criminal acts need to be associated with accountability. I applaud the communication, dedication and teamwork between my officers that lead up to this arrest. Simply put I have grown accustomed to expecting nothing less out of the men and women of the Oakley Police Department. I do hope the best possible decisions are made in the case of this young man to create positive change in his ways.
Stay safe Oakley.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
