Contra Costa Herald

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

Bicyclist dies after being struck by car in Concord Friday morning

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By Concord Police Department

On January 17, 2020, at approximately 6:21 AM, Concord PD Officers were dispatched to a report of an auto vs. bicyclist collision that occurred on Port Chicago Highway near Panoramic Drive. A vehicle traveling northbound on Port Chicago Highway collided with a 54-year-old female, who was riding a bicycle. The male driver, a 68-year-old Vallejo resident, remained on scene and cooperated with police. Drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be a contributing factor.

Port Chicago Highway north of Panoramic Drive was closed for approximately 1.5 hours in order to conduct the collision investigation.

The name of the deceased is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are being released at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Traffic Officer Katan Nanthasiri at the Concord Police Department, 925-671-5096.

Congressmen DeSaulnier, Thompson to Host Impeachment Town Hall in Martinez Jan. 23

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Today, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that they will host a town hall meeting to discuss the impeachment inquiry into President Trump at Alhambra High School in Martinez on Thursday, January 23rd.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 102nd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress. During the town hall, Representatives DeSaulnier and Thompson will be joined by a panel of constitutional scholars to answer questions about the ongoing impeachment process.

Impeachment Town Hall with Congressman Mike Thompson
Thursday, January 23, 2019
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Alhambra High School
Performing Arts Building
150 E Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information, contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

 

Felony charges filed against Orinda, Alamo burglary suspects from Clayton

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Suspects James Lipston and Devaughn Cooper. Photos: CCCSheriff

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

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed five counts of first degree burglary against 57-year-old James Lipston and 25-year-old Devaughn Cooper both of Clayton. This comes after Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff detectives presented the case this morning.

The Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after detectives were able to connect a recent burglary in Orinda to an attempted burglary in Alamo. The Investigation Division, along with the specialized patrol unit J-Team, were able to identify Lipston and Cooper as the suspects, as well as the vehicle they were using. They were linked to at least six residential burglaries in Alamo and Orinda.

On Tuesday, January 7, 2020, detectives began surveillance of the suspects. On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at about 1145 AM, detectives arrested them in the area of Kaitlin Place and Court Lane in Concord. Lipston and Cooper were arrested as they exited a residence with stolen property.

Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of residential burglary. Cooper is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Lipston, who is on parole, is being held without bail.

Detectives later executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence in Clayton. During the search of their vehicles and residence, a large amount of stolen property was recovered, in addition to a significant amount of narcotics.  Detectives believe Lipston and Cooper may be responsible for numerous other burglaries. The Sheriff’s Office is now in the process of attempting to return the stolen property to the rightful owners.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be email to: tips@so.ccounty.us. Anonymous voice messages could be left at (866) 846-3592.

Concord woman to celebrate her 100th birthday with family Saturday

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Ruth Virginia Ferrell turns 100 on Jan. 12, 2020.

Ruth Virginia Ferrell will be celebrating her 100th birthday with family, this Saturday.

Born January 12, 1920 in Memphis, Tennessee, she came to California in 1948, and lives with her grandson and family in Concord.

Ruth is blessed with three children, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

She’s doing very well and is very spry for her age.

“Letters to 87” featuring Hall of Famer Steve Young, and Brent Jones, Eric Wright and Dwight Hicks in Walnut Creek Jan. 16

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Presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association

January 16, 2020 / 7:30PM – 9:00PM (no intermission)

Tickets available at: https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/lettersto87

Celebrate the Legacy of the 49ers with Letters to 87 live!

Football fans will always remember “The Catch” as the moment a dynasty was born. When Dwight Clark caught the touchdown pass that sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in 1982, an indelible moment was etched into the history of the NFL. Later, as Clark battled ALS, he and sportswriter Matt Maiocco put out a call to friends and fans, asking them to share their memories of this moment. The letters that Clark and Maiocco received tell the story of how the man who wore number 87 brought together a city and a franchise through his sincerity, his loyalty, and his spirit for life and the game.

Join us for a special star-studded evening at the Lesher Center for the Arts presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association where we will look back on the legacy of “The Catch” and the 49ers in the Bay Area featuring Hall of Famer Steve Young and 49ers greats Brent Jones, Eric Wright and Dwight Hicks in a panel moderated by NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco. Your ticket includes a copy of the commemorative coffee table book, Letters to 87, featuring essays by Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Brian Murphy, and Kelly Clark along with rare photos from Michael Zagaris, Brad Mangin, and John Storey.

Regular admission tickets to the event are $50 with proceeds going to the Golden Heart Fund, a charity that was near and dear to Dwight Clark. The Golden Heart Fund provides emotional, financial, and physical support to former 49ers players in dire need of assistance. A special VIP reception is also available for $187 and includes a ticket to the show, a book, and admission to the VIP reception featuring all panel participants plus some surprise special guests. Space is limited to the VIP reception.

The perfect gift for any football fan!

Following police chase Bay Point couple arrested for “grab-n-run” theft from Sun Valley Mall

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Suspects’ vehicle. Photo: Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

As the holiday time has come to an end, clearly the Christmas time grinchery shenanigans have not.

While patrolling the area around the Sun Valley Mall one of our SET Team officers spotted two individuals that were just involved in a ‘grab-n-run’ theft from JC Penney’s. Our officer attempted to stop the male and female duo however they jumped into their car and led us on a pursuit. While you can try and outrun our cars, you can’t outrun our radios!

One of our Sergeants was able to position himself well ahead of the pursuit on Highway 4 and was anxiously awaiting as the suspects approached the Willow Pass Rd. exit. Utilizing a timely placed set of ‘spike strips’ our Sgt. was able to disable 3 out of the 4 tires on the suspect vehicle, subsequently bringing this chase to a conclusion in Pittsburg. The driver decided to pull over on her own accord and both were arrested without further incident.

Make no mistake, we don’t like having to chase people, but if you come into our city and attempt to victimize any of our citizen’s and/or businesses, we will come after you.

We charged the 31-year-old female driver from Bay Point with multiple theft, driving related offenses and violating the terms of her probation. Her passenger, a 28-year-old male also from Bay Point, was also charged with theft and conspiracy.

Sheriff investigates death of inmate from Brentwood at county hospital

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Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. Photo by Contra Costa Health Department.

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is investigating the death of inmate Samuel Martinez that occurred at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) in the City of Martinez.

61-year-old Martinez was a resident of Brentwood. He was arrested by the Office of the Sheriff on February 8, 2018 for felony elderly abuse and felony arson.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2019, Martinez, who was housed at the West County Detention Facility (WCDF), was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center after suffering multiple seizures.

On Wednesday, December 25, 2019, Martinez was transferred by ambulance from Kaiser Richmond to CCRMC where he was admitted.

On Thursday, December 26, 2019, Martinez was cleared by medical staff to return to WCDF.

At about 6:40 PM, while still inside the hospital, Martinez apparently suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. Hospital staff administered CPR. Martinez was pronounced deceased at 7:08 PM.

The investigation by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff is ongoing.

Concord sailor serves aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Dec. 20, 2019) Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Rodolfo De Castro III, from Concord, California, discharges a fire extinguisher aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). GHWB is currently in Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA). (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Joseph Flesch)

Pleasant Hill man arrested for possession, production of child pornography

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Daniel Joseph Feliciano. Photo by CCDA.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

On Tuesday December 10, 2019, 29-year-old Pleasant Hill resident Daniel Joseph Feliciano was arrested for possession and production of child pornography.

On December 11, 2019, acting on a tip from an electronic communication service provider, investigators executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Burns Court in Pleasant Hill and seized numerous electronic devices containing images of children under the age 18 engaged in sexual activity.

Feliciano was arrested for possession and production of child pornography, as well as committing lewd acts with a child under 13. Feliciano was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail was set at $500,000.

A formal charging decision will be made by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges are a result of an investigation by Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force along with Special Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information. If you believe your school or community organization would benefit from a smartphone and social media awareness presentation, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at DA-Commentary-Feedback@contracostada.org.

Anyone with information can contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-8757.

Operation Omega Red ends with 15 gang members and associates sentenced to over 165 years in state prison

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Crimes solved by Concord Police, FBI include Highway 4 shooting murders in 2015 and 2016

By Scott Alonzo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Operation Omega Red, put together by Concord Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and all of our partner agencies, resulted in the arrest and successful prosecution of 15 gang members and their associates.

Since the arrests took place in August of 2016, the cases against the Norteño gang members and their associates have resulted in 15 individuals being convicted of felony offenses, most of those being serious or violent strike felonies. The most dangerous individuals, such as Thomas “Lil T” Leon and Armando “Mando” Amaro, received 35-year sentences in prison each. Other violent offenders such as Jesse “Manos” Loyola were sentenced to 25 years in prison. In all, over 165 years of custody time resulted from the Omega Red prosecutions.

“We focused our efforts on the violence drivers – the individuals who were committing the most serious acts of violence and putting the community in the greatest danger,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. These violence drivers include Thomas “Lil T” Leon, Armando “Mando” Amaro and Jesse “Manos” Loyola.

Today, the last two defendants in the Omega Red case, Jesse “Manos” Loyola and Armando “Mando” Amaro pleaded no contest to attempted murder with firearm use and committing the crimes for the benefit of the Norteño gang.

Between July of 2015 and June of 2016, there were 11 shootings between Norteños and Sureños in the Central and Eastern parts of Contra Costa County. Seven of these shootings resulted in homicides. Four of those murders occurred on Highway 4, two occurred in Concord and one took place in Bay Point. Concord Police and other law enforcement agencies believed these shootings were related to an ongoing gang war between Norteños and Sureños in the Central and Eastern parts of Contra Costa County.

In mid-May of 2016, the Concord Police Department, in conjunction with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and their Law Enforcement partners began a strategic investigation targeting the most violent Norteño gang members suspected of participating in the shootings. The investigation lasted just under three months. It resulted in the arrest of over twenty individuals; eighteen of these individuals were later prosecuted for crimes ranging from conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, drug sales, witness retaliation and firearms crimes.

From the date of the initial arrests in this case in August of 2016, there has been one murder on Highway 4, which was not gang related, and there has only been one gang related murder in the City of Concord.

“This drastic reduction from seven gang driven homicides in under one year to only one in the last three years is a testament to the effectiveness of this kind of targeted law enforcement action and the power of police partnerships across the county,” asserted Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger.