Contra Costa Herald

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

CCWD Division 2 Director Burgh to step down March 31st

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CCWD Division 2 Director John Burgh will step down after 22 years on March 31, 2026. Photo: CCWD

After representing Central County communities for 22 years on Board

“CCWD is on a solid path investing in the next generation of water service with a collaborative Board and innovative staff.” – Director Burgh

By Nicola McCluney, Management Assistant, Public Affairs, Contra Costa Water District

Concord – During the Board meeting on February 18, Contra Costa Water District’s Board Director, John A. Burgh, announced that after 22 years representing the community on water issues, he will step down from the Board effective March 31, 2026.

Director Burgh was appointed to the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors in 2004. He represents Division 2, which includes Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Port Costa and a portion of Concord. During his 22-year tenure, he served on the Public Information & Conservation, Operations & Engineering, Finance and Retirement & OPEB Joint Advisory Committees.

Director Burgh’s 42-year professional career, working as an engineer on water and wastewater projects throughout the world, gave him a unique perspective joining the CCWD Board.  His technical expertise translated to thoughtful policy decisions ensuring CCWD makes sound investments in critical infrastructure to the benefit of all customers, including future generations. While serving on the CCWD Board, his highest priorities have been transparency in spending public dollars, regional collaboration and smart infrastructure investments based on the best available data.

“It has been my honor to represent my neighbors on the CCWD Board for 22 years,” said Burgh. “This Board operates at the highest level of transparency and accountability. I have learned so much from each of my colleagues and always appreciated the respectful discussions, especially when we had differing points of view.”

When asked about his decision to step down from the board, Burgh responded, “While a tough decision, CCWD is on a solid path investing in the next generation of water service with a collaborative Board and innovative staff. For my own personal reasons, this felt like the right time for me to step down and provide an opening for the next generation of water policy leaders.”

According to his bio on the CCWD website, Burgh is a retired engineer who has worked on water and wastewater projects throughout the world. He has a total of 42 years of experience in the administration, project management and design of public works projects.

For the last 30 years of his career, he worked for an environmental engineering consulting firm, where he retired as vice president.

Burgh holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in management from the University of New Mexico. He is a registered civil engineer in California and an Air Force veteran.

He is a past President of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. A resident of Concord for over 35 years, he is a member of the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club and is a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to shut-in senior citizens in the area.

Director Burgh’s last day is March 31, and the Board will need to decide to fill the vacancy for Division 2 by appointment or election.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Following chase to Oakland four arrested for Walnut Creek auto burglary

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Video screenshots including from a helicopter infrared camera and police body cam footage show Walnut Creek auto burglary suspects, fleeing car during police chase on the Hwy 13 onramp in Oakland, hunt and apprehension on Jan. 31, 2026. Source: Walnut Creek PD

Connected to other auto burglaries; ground and air assist from Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, CHP

By Walnut Creek Police Department

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2026, Walnut Creek Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle burglary in a residential neighborhood.

Shortly after the initial call, officers observed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was initiated and continued until the vehicle became disabled on Highway 13 in Oakland. Several individuals fled from the vehicle as ground and air resources from Walnut Creek Police, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol assisted with a coordinated search of the area.

During the investigation, officers determined the group was connected to additional vehicle burglaries occurring within a similar timeframe.

In total, four suspects were located and taken into custody. One adult was arrested on multiple charges related to vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, evading, conspiracy, and resisting. Additional involved individuals were identified and released to responsible parties in accordance with department policy.

See video of auto burglary, chase and arrests.

Robbery suspects wanted in multiple Contra Costa jurisdictions in custody

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Jarmaya Tillman of Antioch (left) and Allen Charles Benjamin Foster of Oakland (right) were arrested for bank robbery on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Photos: CCC Sheriff’s Office

From Antioch and Oakland, each with history of arrests

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at about 1:01 PM, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Valley Station deputy sheriffs responded to a report of a robbery at a bank on the 3100 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo.

The suspect and vehicle descriptions were broadcast to area law enforcement agencies. Danville police were able to identify a license plate associated with the suspect vehicle and began searching for it.

Lafayette police officers also began searching for the suspect vehicle in the downtown area and witnessed an attempted robbery outside a bank on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Blvd. The suspect ran to a waiting vehicle, which fled toward Lafayette Circle. Lafayette police later located the unoccupied car parked on Lafayette Circle.

A replica firearm found in one of the suspects’ backpacks. Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

Lafayette police were able to detain two suspects near East Street and determine they were the suspects in the Lafayette attempted robbery and the Alamo robbery. A search of the suspect’s backpack found a replica Glock firearm. Another police department in the area is investigating a similar incident just prior to the Alamo robbery.

Jarmaya Tillman, 23-years-old from Antioch (born 4/13/2002) and 20-year-old Allen Charles Benjamin Foster of Oakland (born 3/28/2005), were arrested for robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of conspiracy.

Both suspects were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Tillman is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, while Foster’s bail is set at $150,000.

During the search for the suspects, Valley Station deputy sheriffs and Lafayette police were assisted by Danville PD, Orinda PD, Moraga PD and Concord PD.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Tillman is five-feet, 11-inches tall and 160-pounds and Foster is five-feet, 10-inches tall and 195-pounds.

According to localcrimenews.com, Tillman is Black and while an Oakland resident was arrested three times in 2020 and 2021 for burglary, with one arrest including charges for minor in possession of live ammunition and minor shall not be in possession of any concealed firearm.

Foster is Black and this is his ninth arrest since 2023 by five other agencies for crimes including multiple counts of vehicle theft, grand theft, robbery, receiving stolen property and gun charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kit Jory promoted to role of Concord Public Works Director

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Kit Jory is the new Public Works Director for the City of Concord.

By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA (February 10, 2026) – City Manager Valerie Barone announced today that Public Works Division Manager Kit Jory has been promoted to Public Works Director for the City of Concord, effective February 16, 2026. He replaces Director William Tarbox who served in the position since December 2021 according to his LinkedIn profile.

“Over the past several years, Kit Jory has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of our city’s residents. He has led numerous initiatives to effectively and efficiently deliver public works services to our community and to beautify our City; and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact of his leadership,” said Barone.

In this new role, Jory will be responsible for the City’s infrastructure maintenance (roads, trees, buildings, medians, sewer, stormwater, and parks) and will oversee a team of 94 skilled and dedicated public employees.

Since 2022, he has served as the Public Works Division Manager. In this role, he has led the City’s successful overhaul of maintenance operations across parks and made substantial advances in the City’s Urban Forestry Program.

Prior to joining the City of Concord, Jory served as Community Services Superintendent and City Arborist for the City of Fremont, and as an Operations and Management Crew Leader in Public Works for the City of Modesto. He brings over 20 years of experience in both private industry and public agencies. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Management and Leadership and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on organizational change.

On accepting the position, Jory said, “I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to continue to serve such a diverse community, professional and collaborative City staff, and a forward-thinking City Council in this leadership role.”

For more information about the City of Concord Public Works Department visit Public Works | Concord, CA.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

Contra Costa Water District holds Water Awareness Youth Art Contest

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Win a $75 gift card!

Deadline: May 9 at 5:00 p.m.

By Contra Costa Water District

Calling all youth artists ages 8–18!

Show us how the Contra Costa Canal brings water to your home, school, or community, and why having reliable water every day matters. Your artwork could appear in the 2027 Contra Costa Water District wall calendar — and winning entries earn a $75 gift card!

Entries due May 9.

Submit artwork by mail or in person the original, unfolded artwork and the completed consent form on the flyer to: CCWD Calendar Contest. 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord, CA 94520

Find more details at https://ccwater.com/999/Water-Awareness-Youth-Art-Contest.

About CCWD

Contra Costa Water District delivers safe, clean water to communities across central and eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California.

Formed in 1936 to provide water for irrigation and industry, we are now one of the largest urban water districts in California and a leader in drinking-water treatment technology and source water protection.

As a public water agency, we are committed to transparency and sharing information about our public services with many and varied audiences.

CCWD serves approximately 550,000 residents in Central and East County. Division Map – Find Your Director | Contra Costa Water District, CA.

Antioch co-op store vendor finds early, autographed Beyoncé poster

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Derek Baker with his valuable and rare Solano Swap Meet find of the Girls Tyme poster with Beyoncé’s autograph inside his space at Rivertown Treasure Chest in downtown Antioch. Photos courtesy of Derek Baker.

Local treasure hunter buys it at Concord drive-in swap meet, offers it for sale at $4 million

Oakley resident Derek Baker is a part time vintage treasure hunter who frequents garage sales, estate sales and flea markets looking for interesting items he can flip for profit.  He sells on eBay, through his own personal network and at a vintage co-op store in downtown Antioch called the Rivertown Treasure Chest.  Comic books are his focus, but he tries to keep his mind open to anything that comes his way.

One Sunday morning, Baker was at the West Wind Solano Swap Meet & Public Market at the drive-in in Concord, when he noticed a pile of concert posters on the ground.  The vender was the type of person who cleaned out homes or storage units and likely had no idea of what they really had.  Many of the posters had the kind of art that would be associated with The Grateful Dead or other similar bands, which can fetch a good price. Some of the posters had inscriptions and signatures on them.  So, he grabbed a stack, making sure to include all those with writing and got a bulk deal – 29 posters for $20.

Baker found his treasure at the Solano Swap Meet at the Westwind Drive-In in Concord.

They were almost all good posters that, in turn, can be sold for $10 to $30 each.  One poster was even related to the Grateful Dead as it appears to have a signature from Vince Welnick, who played for the band at one time.  However, the real gem was a pop culture piece of history from 1992.  A poster of “Girl’s Tyme” – later known as Destiny’s Child – from their performance on Star Search.

The poster was printed and displayed for the live studio audience of Star Search to view as they attended the performance.  It is unknown how many of these were actually printed for use inside the theater.  Being that they lost that night, it is likely almost all of them, if not all the rest of them, were thrown in the trash when the theater was being prepared for the next evening’s performances.  This particular copy appears to have been saved by one of the band’s managers at the time, Alonzo ‘Lonnie’ Jackson, who had several of the girls personalize it for him.

Beyoncé Knowles was 11 years old, and she already knew she was going to be a star.  Not only did she sign her name but also added her autograph. Only one other girl even thought to sign her name, Ashley Tamar Davis.  Two others inscribed notes but didn’t even put their names down. But Beyoncé already knew one day she would be the Queen B.

Baker’s poster appears to be the first signature and autograph of Beyoncé on any professional promotional material. Some baseball card collectors have told him that it’s like having the signature on a rookie card of one of the most popular players of all time.

The section of the poster with Beyoncé Knowles’ (now Carter) signature and autograph.

Baker purchased the poster in April 2025 and since then, he has had James Spence Authentication (JSA) certify that they believe it to be genuine. Star Search has since been rebooted on Netflix, making this a ‘Tymely’ treasure find.  Being a piece of pop culture history for both Star Search and Beyonce, it may be a museum-worthy artifact. Baker thinks the new Hip Hop museum opening in the Bronx this year would be a good home.

The poster may be a ‘unicorn’ with no other piece to compare it to.  How much is it worth?  Is it a $1,000 poster or a $10 million poster? One suggestion is that he travel to Las Vegas to have it valued by Pawn Stars from the famous TV show which Baker said he might do.

The value or rather price he can get for the poster – which is the only true value of such an item – is unknown, for now. But Baker will eventually find out as he has it up for sale, asking $4 million.  Maybe a super-fan from the BeyHive, as Beyoncé’s fanbase is known, or a museum benefactor will let him know.

Interested? Stop by and see Baker and more of his treasures for sale at the Rivertown Treasure Chest in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown at 306 G Street. Or make him an offer on ebay.

Good luck Derek!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Meet new Walnut Creek Police Chief Hibbs Feb. 4

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New Walnut Creek Chief of Police Ryan Hibbs was sworn in Jan. 13, 2026. Photo: WCPD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

The City of Walnut Creek is inviting residents to a “meet and greet” opportunity with new Chief Ryan Hibbs. The free event will be held on Wednesday, February 4, in the Rotunda at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Residents are welcome to drop by any time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek.

On January 13, 2026, the Walnut Creek Police Department proudly recognized nine well-earned promotions during an oath of office ceremony in the Council Chambers!

What a great day for our team!

Police Chief Ryan Hibbs and department leaders were officially sworn in to their new positions during a ceremony inside the Council Chambers Jan. 13, 2026. Photo: WCPD

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding individuals on their achievements:

  • Chief Ryan Hibbs
  • Captain Jeff Slater
  • Captain Holley Connors
  • Lieutenant Guy Ezard
  • Lieutenant Mike Watson
  • Lieutenant Andrew Ha
  • Sergeant Melinda Lomprey
  • Sergeant Nick Olson
  • Sergeant Rich Lopez

Thank you for your dedication to keeping Walnut Creek safe and for serving with integrity and professionalism. Congratulations!

About Chief Hibbs

Hibbs, a 23-year police veteran who has been with the Walnut Creek Police Department for 16 years, was selected in October 2025 by City Manager Dan Buckshi to serve as the City’s new Chief of Police. Earlier this month, Mayor Kevin Wilk announced that Hibbs had stepped into his new role which occurred on Dec. 31.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as the next Police Chief for the Walnut Creek Police Department. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Chief Jamie Knox for his nearly five years of dedicated service to both the department and our community,” said Hibbs. “I am committed to upholding our department’s tradition of integrity and community partnership, strengthening trust with the residents, and supporting the women and men who keep Walnut Creek a safe, welcoming and vibrant place for everyone.”

He previously served as Captain of the Administration Services Division, overseeing Professional Standards, Investigations, Dispatch, Records and Department Administration.

Hibbs holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from National University, an Administrative of Justice degree from Lassen Community College, and is completing a graduate degree at California State University, Dominguez Hill.  He is a graduate of the Drucker Executive Leadership Institute and the Peace Officer Standards and Training Executive Development Course and is an active member of several professional law enforcement organizations.

Replaces Retired Chief Jamie Knox

Retired Chief Jamie Knox. Photo: WCPD

Former Chief Jamie Knox, who retired at the end of 2025, led the Walnut Creek Police Department since 2021, capping a distinguished 30-year law enforcement career that began in Roseville in 1995. He previously held leadership roles in Novato and San Leandro and holds degrees in Emergency Management and Organizational Leadership, along with FBI National Academy credentials

As Chief, he oversaw historically low crime rates, expanded staffing, and spearheaded a recruitment campaign that brought in 68 new hires. He prioritized combating organized retail theft through targeted operations and regional partnerships, and championed initiatives like the 30×30 campaign for women in policing, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology deployment, and revitalization of the Police Cadet Program.

His tenure also emphasized community engagement, officer wellness through the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program, and modernization efforts including drone deployment and updated branding.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Knox said, and that he was “grateful for the dedication of the men and women of this department and the support of our community.”

Thank you, Chief Knox for your leadership, dedication, and the example you have set! We wish you the best in your well-deserved retirement!

““I’m always happy when we can promote from within. Ryan…will be a strong leader as we go forward following Chief Knox’s retirement,” Buckshi said in October. “I am thankful to Chief Knox for his many contributions and leadership, and I look forward to working with Capt. Hibbs in his new role.”

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.

 

In-custody death of Concord man charged with murdering parents New Year’s Eve under investigation

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Sustained self-inflicted head injuries at Martinez Detention Facility

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office are currently jointly investigating an in-custody death that occurred at the Martinez Detention Facility.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at about 5:38 AM, Contra Costa Health medical staff at MDF responded to a housing module for a report of head injuries that an inmate apparently sustained as a result of him purposely banging his head while housed in a cell. Minutes later, the fire department and an ambulance were called to transport the inmate to a local hospital.

At about 8:30 AM, the inmate was medically cleared at the hospital. He was uncooperative with deputy sheriffs while being transported back to MDF. While at MDF he was given medication by medical staff.

At about 5:48 PM, a deputy sheriff found the inmate unconscious inside his cell.

Jail medical staff responded while deputies performed CPR. The fire department and an ambulance also responded and later declared the inmate deceased. The countywide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked.

The inmate is identified as 61-year-old Kirk Richardson of Concord. On December 31, 2025, Richardson was arrested by the Concord Police Department for murder of his parents. He was booked into MDF on two counts of murder and had been held since that time.

As previously reported, on Dec. 31, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a family disturbance in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals, a 90-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman, who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.  Richards on was at the residence was detained and subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

He was arraigned on Wednesday and had another court date set for Thursday afternoon. The five-foot, ten-inch tall, 200-pound Richardson was being held on $4 million bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man charged with murdering parents on New Year’s Eve

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61-year-old Kirk Laroy Richardson held on $4 million bail

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, on Dec. 31, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Concord Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting a family disturbance in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals, a 90-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman, who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. A third individual at the residence was detained and subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

According to the Concord Police Department in a Facebook post on Jan. 2, 2026, “This case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations. This morning, the District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of Murder (PC187) with enhancements for use of a firearm, against 61-year-old Kirk Richardson for the murder of his parents. Richardson remains in custody and is being held in lieu of $4 million bail.”

According to Ted Asregadoo, PIO for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, “Kirk Laroy Richardson was arraigned today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 1:30 pm in Martinez in Department 6 (Judge David Goldstein). Richardson is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. His bond is currently listed on the Sheriff’s In-Custody Locator at four million dollars.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, ten-inch tall, 200-pound Richardson is Hispanic and has another court date scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8, also at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court Department 5 in Martinez.

“Attached is the complaint our office filed with the court on 1/2/26 that lists the charges,” Asregadoo added. According to the complaint, Richardson is charged with two counts of murder and faces 25 years to life in prison for each count.

01-26-00001 – KLRichardson Charging Document