Contra Costa Herald

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

CHP pursuit from San Francisco to Bay Point ends in crash, arrests of five

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One of the five suspects from the overturned car surrenders to CHP officers on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Video screenshot

Speeds reached in excess of 120 MPH

By CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations

Early Saturday morning, Dec. 9, 2023, CHP helicopter H30 was requested by San Francisco CHP units to assist in pursuing a vehicle wanted for reckless driving.

The crew of H30 arrived overhead as the vehicle crossed the Oakland Bay Bridge as speeds in excess of 120 mph. The suspect vehicle led officers on a 45-minute pursuit through three counties. (See video)

With H30 overhead, ground units were able to back off to a safe distance and set up spike strips.

After hitting the spike strips, the vehicle lost multiple tires and the driver eventually lost control and crashed. Five occupants in the vehicle were subsequently taken into custody.

CHP Contra Costa is handling the investigation.

Concord shopping center theft suspect arrested on freeway

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Theft suspect Jesse Leonardo Otero arrested on I-680 forcing CHP to block traffic on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Photos: Concord PD

Walnut Creek man arrested 86 times since 2017, 41 times in 2023

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2023, one of our swing shift patrol officers was conducting extra patrols in the area of the Veranda (2001 Diamond Blvd.) when she was notified of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect fled on foot from our officer onto Willow Pass Road and into the parking lot of the Sun Valley Mall. A CPD motor officer attempted to stop the subject, who fled onto I-680. The California Highway Patrol was contacted and momentarily blocked traffic to allow our Officers to enter the freeway and safely detain the male.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero of Walnut Creek, was arrested on the freeway. Mr. Ortero was transported to the Concord PD jail and later to the Martinez Detention Facility for theft and resisting/delaying a peace officer. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their assistance!

According to localcrimenews.com, Otero has been arrested 86 times since 2017 including 41 arrests in 2023 – sometimes twice in the same day – by multiple Contra Costa and Alameda County law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes including trespassing, petty theft, public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting of less than $950, receiving or concealing stolen property, resisting arrest, robbery, vandalism and giving false information to a police officer. His arrests include three times in 2017; 10 in 2018; twice in 2019; five in 2020; 12 in 2021; and 13 times in 2022.

An email was sent to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton asking how someone with Otero’s record hasn’t been sentenced to multiple years in jail or prison.

11/29/23 UPDATE: In response, Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo provided the following statement:

“44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero is currently on felony probation for commercial burglary [PC 460(b)]. He was convicted on June 13, 2022, of a felony and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and placed on two years of formal probation. On the same day, Otero was convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense [PC 459.5] after stealing a gaming controller from a GameStop store. In October 2021, Otero was prosecuted and convicted of two separate counts of misdemeanor vandalism [PC 594(a)]. He was sentenced to 28 days in county jail and a year of probation for the vandalism offenses.

Many of the violations Mr. Otero was cited for in Contra Costa County were low-level, misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing, public nuisance, petty theft, and possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia. Otero’s misdemeanor thefts, for example, include taking a soft drink and candy at a Target store, stealing $27 worth of cosmetics, or shoplifting $50 worth of razor blades.

Our office is working with law enforcement agencies to merge a number of seemingly minor cases for prosecution to seek justice, ensure accountability, and protect our communities. Misdemeanor complaints filed with the court will have multiple incidents that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

CHP Contra Costa receives state grant to reduce DUI-related crashes

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Source: CHP

By CHP – Contra Costa

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Contra Costa Area will use grant funding to start a regional campaign in Contra Costa County aimed at stopping drivers suspected of driving under the influence and reducing impaired driving-related crashes. This one-year project ends on September 30, 2024.

The CHP Contra Costa Area will deploy officers to conduct enforcement operations on Interstates 80 and 680, State Routes 4, 24, and 242; and unincorporated roadways within Contra Costa County.

“We are taking a proactive approach to keep our roadways safe,” said CHP Captain Ben Moser, Commander of the Contra Costa Area office. “This campaign will use of combination of education and enforcement to help make Contra Costa County roadways a safer place to travel.”

Source: CHP

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were nine people killed and 170 people injured in traffic crashes involving impaired drivers within the CHP Contra Costa Area’s jurisdiction between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. This CHP traffic safety effort also includes a community-based task force and public awareness and education to help reinforce the dangers of driving while impaired.

The CHP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, illegal drugs, and some over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Remember to always plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or arrange for other safe alternative transportation, such as public transit or taxi/ride-hailing service.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Antioch man arrested for felony hit-and-run death in Discovery Bay

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By CHP Contra Costa

On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at 11:42pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on Highway 4 near Newport Drive in Discovery Bay. An unknown vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 4 struck a pedestrian and the driver of the suspect vehicle did not stop and fled the scene. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

On Thursday, November 22, 2023, at 3:03pm, CHP Contra Costa Officers arrested Javier Dominguez Ramirez (32-year-old from Antioch) in connection with the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Nov. 16. This crash occurred on westbound SR-4, west of Newport Drive. He is currently being held on a $50k bail at the Martinez Detention Facility for Felony Hit and Run.

Avoid travel headaches: Check 511 during APEC 2023 Summit Nov. 13-19

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Photos: MTC

Two lanes of Bay Bridge will be closed.

Various ramps and ped/bike path closures scheduled along I-80 and U.S. 101 in San Francisco due to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2023 Summit

Information from MTC, CalTrans & CHP

People traveling to, from and within San Francisco next week can expect heavy congestion and traffic delays; transit reroutes, delays and crowding; and reduced or inconvenient pedestrian and bicycle access during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit taking place in the city from Monday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 19.

APEC is expected to draw more than 20,000 people, including heads of state and dignitaries from over 20 member economies, to downtown San Francisco. MTC encourages people to avoid traveling to San Francisco next week if possible. For those who must travel to or through the city, MTC encourages them to ride transit and to visit 511.org for critical travel alerts related to street closures and transportation delays.

In cooperation with the California Highway Patrol, and in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Caltrans is implementing enhanced safety measures throughout our highway systems in and around San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 summit starting Wednesday, November 15. The U.S. Secret Service recently designated the APEC summit as a National Special Security Event, requiring heightened security measures in and around the city of San Francisco.

Closures: At the request of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Caltrans will be implementing the following closures to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and residents:

San Francisco / Oakland Bay Bridge

Closures of #1 (left) lane on Eastbound I-80 and #5 (right) lane on Westbound I-80

o Tuesday, November 14 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 4 Day Closure, beginning 11/14 at 5:00 AM, ending 11/17 at 9:00 PM.

o Controlled access to Bay Bridge Ped/Bike Path.

o No impacts to transit bus services.

o Treasure Island on-/off-ramps, Fremont Street off-ramp remain open.

Closures of 4th Street off-ramp from Eastbound I-80 and 5th Street off-ramp from Westbound I-80

o Wednesday, November 15 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Daily).

Closure of NB U.S. 101 Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp

o Tuesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 18 (Five Day Closure).

o No access to Dana Bowers Vista Point for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians.

o Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path closed at north end of bridge; no pedestrian access from Marin County.

o Bicycle Path on west side of bridge to remain open between Marin County and San Francisco.

California Highway Patrol officers will be present to enforce these closures. We understand that these closures may cause temporary inconvenience, but they are essential to ensure the safety and security of this significant event and to promote immediacy and availability for emergency response. We encourage you to plan your travels, accordingly, allow extra time for your commute, and consider using alternative routes or public transportation during this period. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure the success of the APEC 2023 summit and the safety of our community.

Muni will reroute several transit lines from Nov. 13-19, and Muni Metro T-Third service will be suspended. For more details, visit SFMTA’s APEC information page. BART, Caltrain and the San Francisco Bay Ferry do not anticipate any major APEC-related impacts to their services.

For the Golden Gate Bridge, the Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp from northbound U.S. 101 will be closed from Nov. 14-18. There will be no access to the Vista Point for vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. The Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path will be closed at north end of bridge, and there will be no pedestrian access from Marin County.

Most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods. Due to the scale of the gathering, APEC also may create travel impacts on travel in other areas. People should expect a range of street impacts in and around the United States Secret Service security zones (Vehicle Exclusion Zones)(link is external) established for the conference and conference-related events. Pedestrians will be banned from APEC security zones unless they live or work there; and bicycles, whether traditional or e-bikes, also will be barred.

For 24/7 traffic updates, please visit 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay.  MTC operates 511 in partnership with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and other transportation agencies.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

During chase from SF to Martinez Concord man throws bombs at police

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Photo source: SFPOA

Started as assault on parishioner inside church

Arrested for attempted murder, multiple explosives charges, assault on an officer, more

Has a history of arrests dating to 2011; CHP assists

By San Francisco Police Department

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at approximately 5:52 pm, San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Filbert Street on a report of a person who had assaulted someone at the location and had reportedly brandished a knife.

According to a post on the SF Police Officers Association Facebook page, the assault occurred at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. According to an NBC Bay Area news report  police say it started when Garcia punched a parishioner inside the church during mass for refusing to give him money.

Officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival, witnesses directed officers to the suspect with what the SFPOA reports was an improvised explosive device. He had entered a vehicle and was fleeing the area. Officers initiated a pursuit. The suspect failed to yield to pursuing officers.  During the pursuit, the suspect threw two improvised explosive devices out of the car window at pursuing officers. In a later press conference, Assistant Police Chief David Lazar said officers could feel the impact of the explosions during the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto the freeway, and officers from the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit. The pursuit came to an end in Martinez, CA where officers from the CHP took the suspect into custody.

The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Concord resident Daniel Garcia. Garcia was booked at San Francisco County Jail on the following charges:

664/211 PC(attempted robbery), 245(a)(1) PC (aggravated assault), three counts of  664/187 PC (attempted murder), three counts of 69 PC (assault on an officer), 2800.2 CVC (reckless evasion), three counts of 12305 H&S unlawful possession of explosive device, three counts of 18715(a) PC (possession of explosive device in public), three counts of 18725 PC (transporting explosive devices), two counts of 18740 PC (setting off explosive with the intent to harm), two counts of 18745 PC (igniting explosive device with the intent to commit murder), 148(a)(1) PC (resisting/delaying arrest), and 21453(a) CVC (disobey red light).

While an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department Special Investigations Division-Arson Unit are handling this investigation. Also, according to the NBC Bay Area report no one was injured and that police and a bomb squad spent most of the day Monday searching Garcia’s Concord home.

NBC Bay Area reported he was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text  a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Glazer, Grayson request CHP help for Antioch Police Department

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Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica, State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblyman Tim Grayson are working to get help from the CHP for the Antioch’s depleted police force.

Send joint letter to Governor seeking aid in addressing public safety crisis amid ongoing police scandal

Follows on Councilman Barbanica’s requests of county police chiefs, CHP, Sheriff for assistance

By Allen D. Payton

In early August, Antioch District 2 City Councilman Mike Barbanica asked the City of Antioch to look into getting more help from both the CHP and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office after sideshows got out of hand.

Earlier this month, Barbanica, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Acting Police Chief Joe Vigil and two other police chiefs from the county held a meeting but “Vigil said, ‘we don’t need anything’,” the councilman stated.

“Grayson’s office offered help. The chiefs told Vigil you don’t have enough staffing,” Barbanica continued. “I spoke to the city manager. We have a commitment from the county police chiefs that they are ready to assist and provide personnel. The city manager is putting together a plan, and the police department will get assistance for traffic enforcement.”

“I personally met with the Chiefs of El Cerrito and San Pablo, who are the president and VP of the county chiefs association and they are working with Acting Chief Vigil who has assigned Sgt. Rob Green to work with surrounding agencies and traffic enforcement. I had two meetings with Assemblyman Grayson that were very productive. He has assured any help we need out of Sacramento, cutting red tape, he’ll be happy to help with.”

Following up on Barbanica’s request, according to a press release from State Senator Steve Glazer’s office, he and Assemblymember Tim Grayson sent a joint letter to Governor Gavin Newsom today, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, seeking assistance for the city of Antioch’s police force, decimated by years of FBI and local investigations.

The investigations into Antioch’s police ranks have eroded local officers’ ability to maintain public safety in the city, according to Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe in an interview on Senator Glazer’s Podcast, Table Talk.

Senator Glazer also spoke with California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee about the public safety crisis and the request.

“The City of Antioch is struggling with public safety right now, and the CHP can help,” Senator Glazer said.

According to the press release by Vivian Bossieux-Skinner, Glazer’s Press Secretary, Mayor Thorpe, a guest on Senator Glazer’s latest episode on his podcast, Table Talk, said, “we have about four or five officers at any given moment patrolling our streets,” in a city of 120,000 people.

Mayor Thorpe said the low numbers of police officers on duty at any given time means police response times can be excessively long depending on the crime being reported. Thorpe said more than half of the 87 city-authorized officers are on leave because of the investigations into the force, leaving just over 40 officers to patrol the city.

“We can use the help because it would drastically reduce time in which an officer can respond to a crime,” said Mayor Thorpe on Table Talk.

These safety concerns were echoed by Mayor Thorpe on Senator Glazer’s Table Talk; the two areas that were decimated as a result of the racist text messaging scandal were traffic and investigations. “And so, it has had real impacts on the community in terms of keeping them safe,” Thorpe said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has already assigned CHP officers this year to cities that request the help; the City of San Francisco has had CHP assistance in dealing with the Fentanyl crisis since May and Oakland has had CHP help since August in dealing with road-related incidents to give City police officers more time to focus on solving violent crime.

CHP officer injured, 39-year-old Pittsburg man dies after shooting near Red Bluff

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Joseph Michael Pate had history of arrests dating back to 2014

By CHP-Northern Division

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 11:37 A.M., a CHP officer assigned to the CHP Red Bluff office stopped to perform a welfare check on a disabled vehicle southbound I-5, south of Chard Avenue, south of the City of Red Bluff. Shortly after contacting the solo occupant of the disabled vehicle, the CHP officer was met with gunfire. The CHP officer was struck by rounds fired from an assault-type rifle being fired by the occupant of the vehicle. Subsequently, the CHP officer drew his service weapon and returned fire at the occupant, striking him several times. The occupant of the vehicle was later identified as Joseph Michael Pate, a 39-year-old man from Pittsburg, CA.

The CHP officer broadcasted a request for emergency assistance. As officers from the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, Red Bluff Police Department, Corning Police Department, and CalFire were responding to assist, Pate entered the CHP patrol vehicle and fled southbound on

I-5. Shortly after stealing the CHP patrol vehicle, Pate crashed into a truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer, causing the truck-tractor to overturn. Pate crashed the CHP patrol vehicle into an open field west of I-5, where it caught fire.

Pate was arrested at the scene and emergency aid was rendered for gunshot wounds. Pate was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. The recovered rifle used by Pate had no associated serial numbers.

The CHP officer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and underwent surgery. The officer’s surgery was successful, and the officer is currently recovering from his injuries.

Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts said, “the California Highway Patrol is grateful for the quick response of our allied law enforcement partners and the medical professionals who tended to our CHP officer’s injuries. The CHP works tirelessly every day to provide Safety, Service, and Security to the communities we serve. While performing our duties there are inherent dangers our officers face. The courageous officer involved in this incident faced such danger and defended himself. We are very thankful he is now on the road to recovery. The CHP is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from the communities we serve.”

According to localcrimenews.com Pate had a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including Haywood, Dublin, Concord, Livermore and Pittsburg PD’s, as well as by Alameda and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Departments for crimes including robbery, burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is being requested to contact the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 529-7920.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

West County: El Sobrante man arrested with $190K of stolen retail merchandise

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Stolen merchandise recovered at a home in El Sobrante on August 31, 2023. Photos: CHP

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

Investigators assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division (GGD) Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) have recovered approximately $190,000 in stolen retail merchandise and approximately $24,000 in cash after serving a search warrant on a house in El Sobrante, Calif.

In July of 2023, ORCTF investigators were provided with information regarding a possible illegal fencing operation within the city of El Sobrante. It was alleged that after the theft of retail merchandise, the products were stored at a residence before being sold at various locations. An investigation was launched, and investigators soon had enough information to obtain a search warrant for the residence.

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, ORCTF and GGD Investigative Services Unit personnel executed the search warrant at the residence. Once inside, officers located stolen retail merchandise from Lululemon, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, Express, TJX, Ross, and Victoria’s Secret, among others. A preliminary estimate put the value of the recovered merchandise at over $190,000 and investigators also recovered over $24,000 in cash proceeds from the sale of the stolen merchandise.

The suspect, 52-year-old Ngoc Bui Bach of El Sobrante was booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of 490.4 PC – Organized Retail Crime, 487(a) PC – Grand Theft, 496(a) PC – Possession of Stolen Property, and 182 PC – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 

CHP to participate in tri-state Labor Day Maximum Enforcement effort

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California, Nevada and Arizona form partnership ahead of holiday travel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a collaborative effort to help ensure the safety of all road users as they travel this Labor Day weekend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP), and Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) are joining forces for a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).  The tri-state enforcement initiative begins at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.

As Labor Day weekend approaches, marking the traditional end of summer celebrations, many people are gearing up for holiday gatherings and road trips.  The CHP, NHP, and Arizona DPS are dedicated to ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely, especially given the surge in traffic that typically accompanies holiday weekends.

Throughout the holiday weekend, while law enforcement will be looking for traffic violations and assisting motorists, a special emphasis will be placed on identifying and apprehending those suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol.

“Alcohol-and drug-impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of traffic fatalities and injuries.  An impaired driver behind the wheel puts themselves and everyone on the road in great danger,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.  “The CHP, along with our partners in Nevada and Arizona are committed to proactive enforcement throughout the holiday weekend.  We will deploy all available personnel to ensure the highest level of safety for everyone traveling.”

Last year during the Labor Day MEP, CHP officers made more than 900 arrests for DUI, in addition to issuing nearly 5,700 speeding citations.  Sadly, 52 people were killed in crashes on California’s roads.

Avoid becoming a statistic and always designate a sober driver, utilize ride-share services, and always wear your seat belt.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.