Contra Costa Herald

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

Bay Area Military Appreciation BBQ in Martinez May 26

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Nuvision Credit Union Partners with VFW Post 1351 & American Legion Post 29

Bill Meyer, AVP, Communications, Nuvision Credit Union

May is Military Appreciation Month, and Nuvision Credit Union is proud to be honoring local veterans this Memorial Day.  Nuvision is privileged to partner with VFW Post 1351 and American Legion Post 29 for the credit union’s upcoming Memorial Day Military Appreciation BBQ in Martinez, California.

The event takes place on Monday, May 26th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street in Martinez.

The BBQ is to honor and thank the men and women who serve our country, welcoming all veterans, active-duty military members, and the families that serve alongside them.  The BBQ is open and free to all who have served, as well as their families.

Baseball players from the Martinez Sturgeon, an independent professional baseball team, will be in attendance to honor our veterans and active military for their service and sacrifice, and will be serving lunch to attendees.

During the BBQ Nuvision will also be presenting $1,500 donations to two Bay Area veteran support organizations — Delta Veterans Group, and Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation – in support of their ongoing missions.

Active military and veterans interested in attending are invited to register for the free BBQ.

 Nuvision Credit Union Background:

Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Nuvision was founded in 1935. Today, the credit union has more than $3.8 billion in assets

  • Nuvision has 6 branches in the Bay Area, serving the communities of Berkeley, Martinez, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Brentwood and Hayward
  • Nuvision serves more than 200,000+ members in 5 states, including California, Alaska, Washington State, Wyoming, and Arizona.

Website: Nuvision Credit Union | Banking, Credit Cards & Loans (nuvisionfederal.com)

With help of U.S. Marshals Concord man arrested for attempted murder in March shooting

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Being held on over $1.5 million bail

Has history of arrests for other gun-related crimes dating back to 2016

By Concord Police Department

On March 18, 2025, at approximately 4:30 P.M., the Concord Police Department’s Communications Center was notified that a gunshot victim had come into the John Muir Emergency Department. Patrol Officers arrived at the hospital and learned that a single victim had been shot. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening, and the Victim was treated and released.

Officers located the scene of the shooting, which occurred in the area of Esperanza Drive and Huron Drive. Detectives from various CPD Investigative Units were called to the scene to further investigate. Through a variety of investigative methods, Devante Lucas Watson, age 27 (born 8/6/97) of Concord, was identified as the suspected shooter in this case.

An arrest warrant for Watson was sought and approved. With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service, Watson was located at a location in Richmond where he was arrested and transported to the Concord Jail. Detectives conducted multiple search warrants and located a loaded firearm.

Further investigation has led to the conclusion this was a targeted attack and not a random act of violence.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a five-count felony criminal complaint on Watson for:

PC245(a)(2) – Assault with a semi-automatic firearm (two counts)

PC246 – Discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle

PC29800(a) – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

PC626.9(d) – Discharging a firearm in a school zone

Watson is being held in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1.5 million bail.

The Concord Police Department continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to violence in all areas of the City, with an extremely high emphasis on violence in school zones. Violence in school zones is simply unacceptable, and the Concord Police Department will dedicate all available resources to investigating and solving these crimes.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can reach out to Detective Luciano at 925-603-5831.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 170-pound Watson is Black, and being held on $1,521,000 bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Superior Court, Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including Concord and Pleasant Hill Police Departments and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for crimes, such as gun and drug charges, assault, battery, robbery and receiving or concealing stolen property.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Livermore man arrested for Walnut Creek bank robbery

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Pet sitting service manager didn’t use weapon

By Sgt. Mike Watson, Walnut Creek Police Department

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, Walnut Creek Police received a 911 call reporting a bank robbery that had just occurred at Chase Bank, 1390 S. Main Street. WCPD Officers arrived within minutes of the call and learned the suspect had passed a note to the teller demanding money. No weapon was used in the commission of the crime, and the suspect left in a vehicle after receiving money from the teller.

Officers continued to check the area and found the suspect vehicle traveling on Olympic Blvd. Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle at 1:07 PM and our investigation revealed the driver was the suspect in the bank robbery.

The suspect, 54-year-old Ronald Terry Lane, Jr. (born 10/15/70) of Livermore, was arrested and the money stolen was recovered from inside the vehicle. The suspect was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking and our Investigations Bureau will be forwarding the case to the District Attorney’s office for review.

Walnut Creek Police would like to thank the Chase employees for being quick to report the crime and provide detailed information that assisted our officers locate and apprehend the suspect.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the anonymous tip line at 925-943-5865.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 195-pound Lane is now being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail.

According to Bizapedia, he is the Manager of Twenty-Four Paws, LLC a pet-sitting service which is based in Livermore.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord credit union armed robbery suspects arrested following chase to San Jose, carjackings along the way, shooting by cops

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Officer involved shooting occurred with one of the armed suspects.

By Concord Police Department

On Monday, April 21, 2025, shortly before 10 am, two suspects committed an armed robbery at a credit union in Concord. Concord Police Officers located the suspect vehicle, which immediately began to flee, and a police pursuit was initiated.

The suspect vehicle became disabled on SB 680 in Sunol and the suspects carjacked two vehicles at gunpoint, ultimately fleeing again in one of them.

Concord Police Officers pursued the suspects in the carjacked vehicle to San Jose where that vehicle became disabled. An officer involved shooting involving Concord Police officers occurred with one of the armed suspects. That suspect was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. The other suspect was located in the area a short time later by San Jose Police Department officers.

There are no suspects still outstanding.

The Concord Police Department is investigating the bank robbery, pursuit, and carjacking and the San Jose Police Department is investigating the officer involved shooting that occurred in their jurisdiction. No further details are being released at this time.

Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Detective J. Riche at (925) 603-5922 or the Concord Police Department tip line at (925) 603-5836.

BAC Community Bank CEO appointed to bankers’ association Safety and Soundness Committee

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Dante Tosetti, CEO, BAC Community Bank.

Dante Tosetti will represent California’s Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area

Has branches in Concord, Brentwood and Antioch

By Josef Britschgi, Marketing & Communications Administrator, BAC Community Bank

Stockton, CA – The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) has announced the appointment of Dante Tosetti, CEO of BAC Community Bank, to its Safety and Soundness Committee. Tosetti will help shape national policy positions and advocate for the vital role community banks play in strengthening local economies.

Tosetti’s appointment ensures that the voices of community banks, businesses, and residents across California’s Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area are represented in national discussions on banking policy and regulation.

“Community banks are the heartbeat of Main Street, driving local economies and forging lasting relationships with consumers and small businesses,” said Tosetti. “I’m honored to represent the Central Valley and Bay Area as I contribute to ICBA’s mission — ensuring community banks have a strong voice in policy discussions and access to tools that strengthen their service to local communities.”

In this leadership role, Tosetti will:

  • Advocate for community banking interests at the national level.
  • Promote ICBA’s policy positions and programming.
  • Serve as a bridge between California’s community banks and ICBA leadership in Washington, D.C.

“Dante brings invaluable insight and dedication to the table, reinforcing the importance of community banks in fostering economic stability and opportunity,” said ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins, president and CEO of CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D. “We appreciate Dante’s leadership and look forward to working together to champion policies that empower community banks and the communities they serve.”

About BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank is celebrating 60 years of award-winning local banking and operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties. Established in 1965, BAC is one of California’s oldest state-chartered banks.

Centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, BAC is continuously recognized for its strength and banking excellence in the communities it serves.

BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.

Pittsburg man arrested for murder following shooting in Concord

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Held on $4.2 million bail

Search warrants served in Antioch, Pleasant Hill

Multiple arrests since 2021

By Concord Police Department

On Monday morning, April 14, 2025, around 3:00 A.M., Concord Police Department patrol officers, working in the area of Monument Blvd. near Meadow Lane, heard gunshots being fired. At the same time, CPD dispatch received several 911 calls regarding gunshots being heard in the vicinity. Officers responded to investigate and located a forty-year-old male gunshot victim, later identified as Omar Gonzalez, lying on the ground near the intersection of Monument Blvd. and Reganti Drive. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit detectives responded.

Detectives were able to identify Chance Martin, a 27-year-old (born 4/14/98) male resident of Pittsburg, as the suspect in the murder. It is believed that Martin had been involved in a dispute in the parking lot of 1500 Monument Blvd. with a group of males, had left in a vehicle, and then returned a short time later and shot multiple times, from the window of his vehicle, at the group of people with whom he had previously been arguing. One the bullets he fired struck and killed Gonzalez. A warrant was obtained for Martin’s arrest.

On Wednesday, April 16, Concord Police Department detectives, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, Pleasant Hill Police Department, and Antioch Police Department, served search warrants in Pleasant Hill and Antioch. Martin was located, arrested, and later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Today, Concord Police Department detectives presented their case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, who filed murder charges (187 PC) against Martin, who will remain in custody.

Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Detective Justin Wilson at (925) 603-5859 or the Concord Police Department tip line at (925) 603-5836.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 135-pound Chance is being held on $4.2 million bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 6 at 8:30 AM in Superior Court, Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests since 2021 by Antioch, Pleasant Hill and san Pablo Police Departments and CHP-Contra Costa, including for gun charges and driving on a suspended license.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

4 Pleasant Hill convenience store robbery suspects arrested in Antioch following police chase, crash

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The suspects crashed their stolen getaway car into a fence. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies and other emergency personnel with one of the suspects in the back of a Sheriff’s vehicle on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Photos by and courtesy of Mike Burkholder, ContraCosta.news

3 males, 1 female fled in stolen vehicle; police helicopter, Antioch & Pittsburg PD, CCC Sheriff’s Office assist

See 4/1/25 Update: Suspects identified; all four are from Antioch, one was arrested for similar charges in December and January

By Allen D. Payton

According to Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Jason Kleven, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, “The Pleasant Hill Police Department responded to a report of a possible robbery in progress at the 7-Eleven store parking lot located at 601 Patterson Blvd. Two delivery truck drivers were making a scheduled delivery when several suspects stole multiple cartons of cigarettes from the truck’s cargo area. No weapons or injuries were reported during the theft.

The suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Pleasant Hill Police Detectives later located the vehicle traveling on Highway 4 near Concord. With the help of a police helicopter, the vehicle led authorities to the city of Antioch, where the vehicle stopped near Fremont Elementary School. Four suspects then fled on foot from the vehicle.

With the support of Antioch Police, Pittsburg Police, the Sheriff’s Office, and the helicopter, officers set up a perimeter. All four adult suspects were apprehended and arrested.

The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

According to a press release by Lt. Joe Njoroge of the Antioch Police Field Services Bureau, “At approximately 2:57 p.m., APD Dispatch received a report about a suspect vehicle involved in a previous incident in Pleasant Hill. APD was requested to assist in locating the vehicle, which was quickly found in the area.

While driving near the intersection of F Street and W. 13th, the suspect vehicle collided with a fence. The suspects then fled the scene on foot. Pleasant Hill PD arrived shortly after, and with the assistance of the Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff and APD, all suspects were apprehended.”

Njoroge later said the four suspects included three males and one female.

Antioch Police issued a Community Alert on Facebook Thursday afternoon that they were “working in the area of Antioch Middle School and the surrounding area of F Street from W. 13th to W. 18th. Expect heavy police presence in the area. If you see anything suspicious, please call 911 or (925) 778-2441 immediately.”

Later APD provided an update, writing, “We have now cleared the area. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. There is no danger to the community, and the subjects we were looking for have been arrested. Stay safe, and as always, report any suspicious activity to 911 or (925) 778-2441.

4/1/25 UPDATE: According to Pleasant Hill Police, the four suspects were 20-year-old Robert Lee Crawford (born 12/9/04), a six-foot tall, 165-pound Black male from Antioch, 19-year-old Robert Samule Garcia-Scrape of Antioch (born 7/22/05), a five-foot, 11-inch tall, 200-pound White male with blond hair, 21-year-old Jailen Emani Scales of Antioch (born 2/3/04), a six-foot tall, 200-pound Black male and 24-year-old Marieilacqua Bartholomew, a five-foot, one-inch tall, 130-pound Black female, also from Antioch. 

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Crawford is being held in the West County Detention Center on no bail; Garcia-Scrape is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail and his next court appearance is on April 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 03, Superior Court, Mt. Diablo; and Scales is also being held in the West County Detention Center on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, Scales was arrested last year, on Dec. 6th by San Francisco Police for burglary, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place, receiving or concealing stolen property, and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer. He was arrested again on Jan. 15, this year by Fremont PD for robbery, carrying a loaded firearm and with intent to commit a felony, carrying a concealed weapon with a large capacity magazine, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, and elder or dependent adult abuse.

No additional information could be found through online searches for Bartholomew. However, according to Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Jason Kleven, she is also still in custody. 

Concord man arrested with stolen mail from Brentwood apartment complex

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Photos: Brentwood PD

6th arrest in less than 4 years

By Brentwood Police Department

On March 15th in the early afternoon, one of our day shift officers located a vehicle, stolen out of Concord four days earlier, parked in a parking lot in one of our apartment complexes.

The driver of the vehicle, 35-year-old Gustavo Montano-Razo from Concord (born 6/8/1989), ran from the vehicle but after a short foot pursuit the officer apprehended him safely. A search of Montano-Razo, who was also on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), revealed suspected narcotics on his person. Stolen mail, including tax documents from a different apartment complex in Brentwood, were also found in the vehicle. Montano-Razo was booked into jail.

Especially during tax season, criminals are often looking for confidential and personal information that they can use to steal someone’s identity. We would like to remind our residents to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious or loitering around mailboxes. Together we can make Brentwood safer for everyone.

According to localcrimenews.com, this is the sixth time Montano-Razo has been arrested since 2021. His other arrests include assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, vehicle theft, grand theft, burglary and drug possession.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 210-pound Hispanic man is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa DA, four others reach settlement with telecommunications provider over environmental violations

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Company provides services in Concord

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton announces, in conjunction with five other District Attorneys in California, a $1.275 million settlement with WaveDivision Holdings, LLC — which operates under the brand name “Astound Broadband” within California – over environmental violations. Concord is the only city in Contra Costa County in which Astound provides internet, television and phone services.

WaveDivision Holdings, which provides telecommunication services including cable and internet, was jointly investigated by five District Attorneys’ Offices and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Waste inspections at Astound facilities in Contra Costa, San Francisco, Yolo and Placer counties revealed the unlawful disposal of hazardous waste generated by WaveDivision Holdings including electronic equipment, silicone gels, sealants and batteries. The hazardous waste was improperly being directed to municipal landfills instead of authorized hazardous waste disposal facilities.

Hazardous waste can cause serious harm to the environment and the public if not properly disposed. For example, splitters and power taps found in the inspections contained lead as well as lithium and alkaline batteries were recovered.

“Businesses must be held accountable for conduct that harms the environment,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “WaveDivision Holdings cooperated with the investigation and has since implemented training programs to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste, ensuring future compliance.”

Under the settlement agreement, WaveDivision will pay:
• $875,000 in civil penalties
• $300,000 for reimbursement of investigative costs
• $100,000 for Supplemental Environmental Projects

Additionally, the company is subject to an injunction requiring strict compliance with hazardous waste laws and implementation of compliance measures to prevent future violations.

The complaint was filed in Contra Costa Superior Court on March 18, 2025, by Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe, San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, and Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. Judge Danielle K. Douglas signed the order on the same day the complaint was filed.

Case No. C25-00758 | The People of the State of California v. WaveDivision Holdings, LLC

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pleasant Hill man arrested for attempted residential burglary

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Burglary suspect Lacy William Ball was arrested on March 7, 2025. Photos: Pleasant Hill PD

Arrested again on March 12 for first-degree burglary by Concord PD

45-year-old Lacy Ball has some ‘splaining’ to do!

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

Great investigation by our Patrol Officers!

This past Friday night (March 7, 2025), our officers responded to a residential burglary in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood. Thanks to quick action and surveillance footage, they were able to identify the suspect as 45-year-old Lacy William Ball (born 8/1/79) of Pleasant Hill.

Ball was located in Pleasant Hill and arrested for burglary in the 1400 block of Contra Costa Blvd. Officers also recovered stolen property, which was returned to the victim.

A big thank you to our Patrol Officers and the watchful neighbors who helped bring this case to a swift resolution!

According to the Pleasant Hill PD website, the five-feet, 10-inch tall, 205-pound Ball is White with blonde hair and blue eyes and is unemployed.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, he is Hispanic, five-feet, nine inches tall, 170 pounds with blue eyes and grey hair, was arrested again by Concord Police on March 12 at 9:42 AM and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on no bail. Ball faces two counts of first-degree burglary and his next court date is scheduled for 8:30 AM on April 17, 2025, in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Ball was also arrested four previous times, twice for burglary in 2023 by Concord Police and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.