Contra Costa Herald

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

Men from Brentwood, Bay Point wanted for Friday night murder at Concord Motel 6

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Suspects in Concord murder Friday night, Adam Renfroe of Brentwood and Robert Brown  of Bay Point are sought by police. Photos by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

On Saturday, July 13, Concord Police investigators are searching for a suspect in a deadly shooting. Friday night around 11:15, officers were called to the Motel 6 on Clayton Road for reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found one man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where he died. Our investigators were looking into all leads.

Adam Renfroe, a 32-year-old Brentwood resident and Robert Brown, a 40-year-old Bay Point resident have been identified as suspects in this case. Both have arrest warrants for murder. Brown was tracked to a home in Bay Point and Concord SWAT members served a search warrant at the home this afternoon. Neither suspect was located.

Both Renfroe and Brown are considered armed and dangerous. If you see these suspects or know of their location, please do not approach them and immediately contact your local police department or call 911. This case is still in the preliminary stages and no additional information will be released at this time. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Kevin Giacoletto at (925) 671-3040 or the Tip-line at (925) 603-5836.

We’ll continue to post updates.

Parks District to celebrate grant of 2,200 acres of former Concord Naval Weapons Station land Saturday

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Park District Ward 6 Board Member Beverly Lane, who represents Concord, Principal Planner Neoma Lavalle and Chief of Planning/GIS Brian Holt at park overlook, with the map of the future, regional park. Photo by EBRPD.

Ceremony at planned Concord Hills Regional Park will also include 75th Anniversary of Port Chicago explosion

After more than 20 years of community support and involvement, the East Bay Regional Park District has accepted 2,216 acres of former Concord Naval Weapons Station land from the U.S. Navy for a future regional park currently known as the Concord Hills Regional Park. An additional 327 acres are set to transfer to the Park District at a later date.

“Conveyance of the property to the Park District is the culmination of a decades-long community effort,” said Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District board since 1994. “This is a proud moment for the Park District and shows the great power of persistence and working together with the community.

“The U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, and Save Mount Diablo have been tremendous partners in this effort,” added Lane.

On July 2, 2019, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved accepting the land from the U.S. Navy. The board action authorizes the Park District to accept conveyance of the property and fee title ownership. Transfer of ownership to the Park District is expected to take six months.

“This is a great day for the Park District and East Bay residents,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “The public will have access to great future park amenities, including a visitor center, staging areas, access points, and miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing.”

“Park development is expected to take several years and will require significant financial resources. There is no timetable on development,” added Doyle. “With this new land, we will have a regional park that is larger than Tilden Park, that is protected for future generations forever.”

A public celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The event will also commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion. Click here for the Concord Hills Regional Park event details.

The celebration will include a panel discussion hosted by the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial and National Park Service, a conveyance ceremony, presentations, exhibit booths, lunch, and a music performance by the Acalanes High School Jazz Quartet. The event will also include walking and vehicle tours of the property, giving attendees a first look at the future regional park.

RSVP to Yulie Padmore at ypadmore@ebparks.org or call (510) 544-2002.

For more information about the July 13 event, visit www.ebparks.org/about/planning/cnws.htm.

Suspect in Pacheco murder arrested, victim identifed

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

The suspect in Friday’s homicide on Pacheco Boulevard is in custody.  (See related article)

On Friday, July 5, 2019, at about 8:35 P.M. BART police contacted suspect Aaron Goode at the Concord BART station. He was detained without incident. Later Detectives and Deputies from the Office of the Sheriff took custody of Goode, a 41-year-old from Pacheco. Goode was then booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Homicide Detectives from the Investigation Division continue to investigate yesterday’s murder.

At about 12:12 PM, Sheriff’s Office dispatch was notified about a medical call with police needed on the 5900 block of Pacheco Boulevard in Pacheco. The caller stated that a man covered in blood was lying on the sidewalk.

A short while later, Pleasant Hill police officers arrived and performed CPR on the male victim. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is identified as Erick Ousey, a 29-year-old Pacheco resident.

The Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab responded to the location. Detectives later identified Goode as the suspect. Detectives are still trying to establish the exact motive. They say suspect Goode and victim Ousey knew each other and that they appeared to have a dispute.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at  (925) 646-2441 or 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.

Pacheco: Sheriff’s Detectives investigate murder of Pacheco man, Friday afternoon

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

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division continue to investigate a murder that occurred this afternoon. 

At about 12:12 PM, Sheriff’s Office dispatch was notified about a medical call with police needed on the 5900 block of Pacheco Boulevard in Pacheco. The caller stated that a man covered in blood was lying on the sidewalk.  The California Grand Casino on both sides of the street and Wendy’s are blocked off with yellow cautionary tape, according to witnesses.

A short while later, Pleasant Hill police officers arrived and performed CPR on the male victim. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim, believed to be a 29-year-old Pacheco resident, is not being identified at this time.

The Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab responded to the location. The investigation into this murder is ongoing. Detectives say this incident does not appear random and that the victim and the suspect knew each other.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or 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 Payton contributed to this report.

Oakland building project consultant, partner of Pleasant Hill man, sentenced to 12 months in prison for conspiracy and receiving bribes

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Son of Oakland Council President and Vice Mayor. Partner, a former California Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Secretary, pleaded guilty in 2017, to be sentenced in November.

Taj Reid from his Facebook profile.

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

SAN FRANCISCO – Taj Armon Reid was sentenced to 12 months in prison for conspiracy and receiving bribes, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson; Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett; and Department of Energy Office of the Inspector General, Inspector General Teri L. Donaldson.  The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court Judge.

After a four-day jury trial, a federal jury found Reid, 48, of Oakland, guilty of the crimes on May 24, 2018.  (See related East Bay Express article). Reid, the son of Oakland Vice Mayor and Council President Larry Reid, was a construction consultant and business partner with Eric Worthen, 46, of Pleasant Hill, who, at the time, was also an Assistant Deputy Secretary for the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).  The evidence at trial demonstrated Reid received bribes on two occasions in connection with business being offered by CalVet.  The jury also concluded Reid conspired with Worthen to receive the bribes.  (See related KPIX5 report)

The evidence at trial showed that Reid accepted cash from a source on April 18, and again on May 8.  In April, Reid offered a developer an inside advantage on two CalVet construction projects in exchange for $10,000 cash.  Specifically, Reid offered to use Worthen’s position at CalVet to circumvent the normal bidding process for a residential home project in Ventura, Calif.  The May transaction involved a kitchen remodel project at the veterans’ home in West Los Angeles.  On this occasion, Reid and Worthen accepted $2,000 cash in exchange for providing to the developer inside information that the co-conspirator took from the CalVet office.  Unbeknownst to Reid and Worthen, the “developer” to whom they were providing an inside track on the CalVet contracts was a source working under the direction of the FBI and posing as a developer willing to pay bribes in order to obtain contracts with public agencies.  At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Reid guilty of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and two counts of receiving a bribe or reward, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(B).

Eric Worthen from his LinkedIn profile.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer ordered Reid to serve three years of supervised release.

Worthen pleaded guilty in August of 2017 to his part in the conspiracy and for taking bribes.  Judge Breyer scheduled his sentencing for November 6, 2019.

The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions and National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Maintenance on Taylor Boulevard to begin Monday, July 1 run through July 11

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Taylor Blvd. vicinity map. From CCC Public Works.

Lafayette, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works will perform roadwork on Taylor Boulevard approximately 0.6 miles north of its intersection with Rancho View Drive starting July 1 through July 11, weather permitting. The Public Works Department’s contractor will repair and replace a disconnected concrete storm drainpipe and repair damage to the road pavement.

Traffic may be affected by temporary lane closures between the hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Mondays through Thursdays. A changeable message sign and other construction signs will be placed in advance of the construction activities.

Woman in RV leads Concord Police on chase following burglary early Wednesday morning

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Suspect Jessica Tomsky and the RV she drove headed the wrong way on Hwy 242. Photos by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

Not on our Watch! Patrol officers from the Graves 1 team of the Concord PD responded to a silent alarm/probable burglary in-progress in the 1300 block of Galaxy Way on Wed., June 26 at 4:07 AM. Officers arrived in less than one minute and saw two vehicles fleeing. Officers tried to stop both vehicles and dual pursuits were initiated when both vehicles fled from pursuing officers onto Commerce Ave, across Concord Ave, then proceeding the wrong way up the southbound HYW 242 on-ramp. Officers stopped their pursuit(s) for safety reasons. A few moments later officers located one of the vehicles, a large RV, driving south on s/b HWY 242.

Officers pursued the RV for approximately 8-10 miles until the RV once again drove the wrong way up the southbound HWY 242 off-ramp at Solano Way, where CPD Officers terminated their pursuit. With help from citizen callers, the RV was located again, this time travelling west on the shoulder of eastbound HWY 4.

The driver, 34-year-old Jessica Tomsky (born 3/26/1985), was arrested for several counts of fleeing police officers, commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. There was stolen property from the commercial burglary she just fled from and stolen property from other commercial burglaries from Concord and other jurisdictions.

The Graves 1 team would like to thank the caller(s) who took the time to call 9-1-1 and update us on the location of the RV. Without help from our citizen’s our job would be much more difficult.

Modesto gang member sentenced to over 16 years in prison for human trafficking in Contra Costa, other locations

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

On June 20, 2019, Timothy Townsel of Modesto, California was sentenced to 16 years 8 months in state prison for two felonies related to human trafficking of an adult and minor while a gang member. He was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge David Goldstein in Department 6. Townsel is a member of a gang based in Modesto – Family Over Everything (F.O.E.). Townsel will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his adult life.

The case was investigated by the Concord Police Department with major participation from the Modesto Police Department, the Alameda Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. During the investigation at least four victims were identified as being exploited for sex trafficking by the defendant. One of the Jane Doe victims was under the age of 16.

“This case highlights the multi-agency anti-human trafficking initiative that our justice partners are employing to fight these heinous crimes in our County. Detective Gilfry’s tenacity in investigating what would have once been viewed as a routine prostitution bust is the reason this multi-jurisdictional human trafficker will no longer harm his victims,” stated Deputy District Attorney Jay Melaas. DDA Melaas is assigned to our Office’s Sexual Assault Unit and prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

Townsel trafficked his victims in Las Vegas, Utah, Arizona and other parts of California. He took these victims to these areas to commit sex trafficking. Townsel was recruiting these victims from local high schools and middle schools in the Modesto area. A major break in the case came during a routine security check at the Best Western Motel in Concord, California when Concord Police Officers detained the trafficking victims for suspected prostitution activity.

Eventually Townsel was arrested in Santa Cruz, California last year after a five-month investigation led by Detective Joshua Gilfry of the Concord Police Department that established Townsel was profiting off his victims through manipulation, threats, and physical abuse. Our Office charged him with six felonies in September 2018. Once Townsel was arrested our Office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program provided victim services for those Jane Does involved.

If you or someone you know is being pressured to engage in prostitution to benefit or help support another person, help is only a phone call away. Contact Community Violence Solutions at 800-670-7273 to speak to a confidential counselor. Or visit the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in Richmond or Concord to talk to a Navigator about a variety of services and support available right here in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Centers are a family-friendly one-stop center serving victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of interpersonal violence. No appointment is needed, and the centers are located at 256 24th Street in Richmond or 2151 Salvio St., Suite 201 in Concord.

To learn more about human trafficking in Contra Costa County, visit the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition’s webpage at www.contracostacoalition.org

Case information: People v. Timothy Allen Townsel, Docket 01-187211-8

Coroner’s Jury finds death of Concord man in county jail was of natural causes

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

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the September 15, 2018 death of 61-year-old Dwight Dwayne Dunn of Concord while in custody at the county’s Martinez Detention Facility. The finding of the jury is that the death was the result of natural causes.

The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

A transient, Dunn was found unresponsive by a sheriff’s deputy conducting a room check at the jail. Fire crews and an ambulance responded, but he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy and toxicology tests were conducted. Dunn had been booked into jail on September 5 for a parole violation.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:

accident, suicide, natural causes, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Concord man arrested for threats to commit mass shooting at synagogue, shoot cops

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Suspect Ross Farca.

Also charged with illegal assault rifle possession

By Concord Police Department

This weekend, the FBI relayed a cyber-tip to the Concord Police Department regarding threatening comments made in a chatroom on an online gaming platform. The comments consisted of threats against Jewish people and to commit a mass shooting at a synagogue, threats to shoot law enforcement and claims to possess an assault rifle. There were no specific locations included in the threats. Through the FBI’s initial investigation, they were able to determine the threatening posts originated from an address in Concord. Detectives from the Concord Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and were able to identity 23- year-old Concord resident Ross Farca as a suspect. Records showed that Farca had legally purchased an incomplete AR-15 rifle frame earlier this year.

On Monday, June 10th, an arrest warrant was issued for Farca as well as a search warrant for his house. The warrants were served and Farca was arrested at his home without incident. Inside his home, an illegal AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was found which had been constructed from the same legally purchased frame. Several high capacity magazines were also found but no rifle ammunition was located. Additionally, detectives located Nazi literature, camouflage clothing and a sword.

Farca was arrested for and ultimately charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with making criminal threats, possession of an illegal assault rifle and manufacturing an assault rifle. Detectives also obtained an emergency Gun Violence Restraining Order against Farca to prevent him from legally purchasing firearms. Farca remains in custody at the Contra Costa County Jail.

At this time, law enforcement is only aware of the threats posted by Farca that led to the cyber-tip. Although the investigation into Farca is ongoing by both Concord PD and the FBI, no detailed plans to commit acts of violence have been located. If anyone has information about this case, they are asked to contact Detective Greg Mahan at (925) 603-5817. Those wishing to remain anonymous may leave a message on the tip line at (925) 603-5836.