Contra Costa Herald

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

Unlicensed driver arrested for meth during Concord traffic stop

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Meth, cell phones and cash confiscated during arrest in Concord during the week of July 23, 2023. Photo: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

Last week, CPD Patrol Officers made an enforcement stop on a car for vehicle code violations. During the stop, the driver was found to be unlicensed and…. had a narcotic smoking pipe on him! Additionally, he also had prior arrests for narcotic sales offenses.

Patrol Officers searched the vehicle and found nearly a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine! The evidence pointed to narcotic possession for sales.

He was arrested for possession and transportation of a controlled substance for sales, along with other offenses.

CPD is dedicated to keeping the streets safe for our community.

 

Jerry Marquez promoted to Relationship Manager at BAC Community Bank

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

Jerry Marquez

BAC Community Bank is proud to announce the promotion of Jerry Marquez to the role of Relationship Manager, leveraging years of expertise in serving the bank’s valued customers.

As an integral part of the BAC family for over eight years, Marquez has excelled in various roles, including branch management and central banking operations. This promotion reflects his outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to the bank’s clients.

Marquez has a passion for building meaningful relationships within the community, a quality influenced by his growing up in a small farming town. He carries this spirit into his new role, embracing the small-town essence that has made BAC Community Bank a cornerstone of Brentwood and surrounding Contra Costa communities.

As a Relationship Manager, Marquez will draw upon his wealth of experience to cater to the diverse financial needs of both existing and new bank customers. The bank is confident that he will excel in this capacity, ensuring that consumer and commercial clients continue to receive the best products, technology, and service that have defined BAC Community Bank’s commitment to excellence.

“We are confident that the passion, expertise, and dedication Jerry Marquez demonstrates will continue to contribute to the success of our clients and reinforce the position of BAC Community Bank as a trusted community financial institution,” said Eddie Lira, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer.

Marquez is excited to assume this new responsibility and looks forward to further strengthening the connections between BAC Community Bank and the communities it serves. “I am truly honored by this opportunity to serve as a Relationship Manager,” he shared. “My aim is to build enduring customer partnerships, providing each client with personalized financial solutions to help them achieve their goals.”

About BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices in Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and is identified as “one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation” by BauerFinancial, Inc.

The bank is centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, and is continuously recognized for banking excellence through local awards and banking industry accolades.

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

Police seek suspect in Concord strong arm robbery of woman removing child from car seat

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At Park ‘N’ Shop

By Lt. Robert Garcia, Field Operations Division, Concord Police Department

On Friday, July 21st at approximately 3:00 pm, Concord Police Department received a report of a strong-arm robbery that just occurred in the 1700 block of Willow Pass Road at Park ‘N’ Shop. The victim was getting her child out of the rear car seat of her vehicle when the suspect attempted to grab her purse. The victim and the suspect struggled over the purse, but the suspect was able to get away after punching the victim. The victim sustained minor injury as a result. The suspect got into a black SUV and drove off toward the freeway on Willow Pass Road. The suspect was described as a black male with a thin build, wearing a mask.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit at (925) 671-5074. You can also contact us on our Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826.

 

Oakland man re-arrested, charged for murder in February 2021 Concord shooting

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U.S. Marshals assist; held on $2 million bail

By Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Investigations Division

On February 28th, 2021, 26-year-old Robert Franklin Currier was found deceased, as a result of gunshot wounds, in the roadway on Concord Avenue near Meridian Park Blvd. Evidence and witnesses were located at the scene; however, the suspects had fled the area. Detectives identified the suspect vehicle and subsequently arrested Viliami Edwardal Ofanoa on March 3, 2021 related to the murder. Ofanoa was released from custody pending further investigation.

Throughout this ongoing investigation, the Concord Police Major Crimes Detectives worked closely with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. A detailed analysis of phone records, DNA evidence, and license plate reader data were used to establish probable cause to re-arrest Ofanoa for the murder of Robert Currier.

In June 2023, Concord Police served the arrest warrant for Ofanoa (of Oakland, now age 37, DOB 06/21/86) with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Ofanoa and he is being held on $2,000,000 bail for the crime of murder, as well as an enhancement for use of a firearm.

According to locacrimenews.com, Ofanoa was arrested by Oakland Police on August 9, 2021 for being an addict in possession of firearm, possession of ammunition and for carrying a loaded firearm on person or in vehicle while in a public place.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Ofanoa has a hearing scheduled for August 10, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Contra Costa Superior Court.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Rocketship Education issues 2022-23 annual report of activities in California

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By Maricela Guerrero, Executive Director, Rocketship California

As community schools, we deeply engage our families in their student’s academic life and build our school community around our families. Our Care Corps is an expansion of Rocketship’s community schools model, allowing us to support the whole child and families inside and outside of the classroom. Our full-time Care Corps coordinators help our families navigate support systems and get the assistance they need by overcoming language barriers, red tape, and lack of internet access to connect them to vital services that are too often cumbersome and complicated. Care Corps coordinators are fully dedicated to helping families meet their basic needs so their children can thrive in school.

Rocketship Education operates the Delta Prep TK-5th school in Antioch, Futuro Academy TK-5th in Concord in Contra Costa County, and 11 other schools in California, three in Tennessee, one in Texas with a second opening this fall, two in Wisconsin and three in Washington, D.C.

We’re so proud to have once again holistically served thousands of families through Care Corps in the 2022-2023 school year. This past year:

Partnering with the Healthy Kids Foundation and K-12 Health East Bay, we provided free health screenings for 5,655 students across the Bay Area and partnered with Vision to Learn to give free eyeglasses to 618 Rocketship students.

We partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to feed our families – distributing almost 11,000 food kits to families in San Jose and the East Bay.

We partnered with City Team Ministries to offer a pop-up closet for our families at Rocketship Brilliant Minds, helping clothe over 200 households.

We also partnered with Bay Area Urban Barber College to give over 500 Rocketeers and their siblings free school supplies and haircuts.

Partnering with the State of California and the Santa Clara County Department of Health, we hosted a vaccination clinic and community resource fair for our San Jose families.

And last, but not least, our very own Ms. Elena organized a Rocketship folklorico group of 80 students that performed for the community at the Vietnamese Association in San Jose every Wednesday.

Thank you for your continued support of our Rocketeers. Our Care Corps team is excited to continue this important work the next academic year.

For more information visit www.rocketshipschools.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord to celebrate Independence Day with 5K & kids fun runs, parade, festival and fireworks!

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The 2023 Concord July 4th 5K & Kids Fun Run, Parade, Festival and Firework presented by Marathon is going to be a day filled with fun. The day begins down at Todos Santos Park at 8am with a kid’s fun run & 5k along with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast, at 10 am will be the 32nd Annual Independence Day Parade, then at 4pm at Mt. Diablo High School the gates will open for our Festival that will include Live Music, a Kids Carnival, local food, and vendor booths. Finally, at 9pm will be a Fireworks Spectacular over Concord. Presented by the Todos Santos Business Association Arts Foundation.

All the days information can be found at www.concordjuly4th.com

Festival & Fireworks Event Notes: No Smoking, No Dogs, No Alcohol. Bags will be checked by security upon entry.

Schedule

Events at Todos Santos Plaza
8:00 am – Stars & Stripes Kids Fun Run
8:00 am – Rotary Pancake Breakfast
8:15 am – Stars & Stripes 5k Run & Walk
10:00 am – Independance Day Parade
Events at Mt. Diablo High School
4:00 PM – Festival Gates Open
9:00 PM – Fireworks over Concord

All the day’s information can be found at www.concordjuly4th.com

Thank you to your sponsors:

Title Sponsor: Marathon

Stripes Sponsor: Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, The Hop Grenade Taproom & Bottleshop

Stars Sponsor: Pacific Service Credit Union, Johnmuirhealth, AssetMark, Inc.

Blue Sponsors: Brenden Theatres Concord 14, IBEW Local 302, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 104

Special Thanks to: City of Concord, California, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Visit Concord, CA, Greater Concord CA Chamber of Commerce, Tim McGallian & Carlyn Obringer

4th of July Parade and 5K Run/Walk Road Closures

There will be several road closures in place and restricted street parking during the morning hours of July 4th to accommodate the Concord Police Association’s Stars and Stripes 5k Run and Walk and the Concord Independence Day Parade.

Several streets will be closed from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. for the Concord Police Association’s Stars and Stripes 5k Run and Walk. The following road closures will be in place:

  • Grant Street from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street.
  • Colfax Street from Willow Pass Road to the parking garage entrance
  • East Street from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street
  • Port Chicago Highway from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street
  • Salvio Street from Mt Diablo Street in the downtown area to Esperanza Drive
  • Beach Street, Parkside Circle and Parkside Drive from Salvio Street to Baldwin Park
  • Cedar, Date, Elm, Fir and Pacheco Streets south of Baldwin Park will be open but affected due to the run route
  • Esperanza Drive from Salvio Street to N. Sixth Street
  • Bonifacio Street from N. Sixth St to Port Chicago Highway
  • Erie Drive between Esperanza Drive and Claudia Drive
  • Claudia Drive between Erie Drive and N. Sixth Street
  • N. Sixth Street between Claudia Drive and Port Chicago Highway will remain open

The most significant closure for the 5K run will be on Salvio Street between Port Chicago Highway and Mt Diablo Street as participants of all abilities are completing the race. Other streets in the immediate area will be impacted. Many of the above closures will be very brief. The Concord Police Association will have volunteers monitoring the course and will work to accommodate residents and business owners within the closure.

At 9:30 a.m. personnel will set up for the Annual 4th of July Parade. The Parade will start at Mt Diablo High School and proceed toward downtown via Grant Street. The procession will make a right turn onto Willow Pass Road then a right turn onto Mt Diablo Street, heading back to the high school. Streets in the immediate area of the parade route will be closed.

Those arriving for the parade during the 5K Run/Walk are encouraged to park in the parking garage at the intersection of Pacheco Street and Concord Avenue by accessing it from the Pacheco Street side.

The parking garage near Concord Avenue will have the Pacheco Street entrance available all day for entrance only and the Salvio Street side for exit only. The parking garage near Colfax Street will have the Colfax Street side open for entrance and exit all day.

Please enjoy your 4th of July safely!

 

 

 

 

Annual Spring Block Party in Concord June 6

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Contra Costa County and the City of Concord bring services to residents from 4-7 p.m.

Avoid having to make multiple stops to government offices or wait in long lines to take care of important tasks. Instead, stop by the County Services Spring Block Party.

Contra Costa County, the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department and the City of Concord are collaborating to provide a fun, festive event that offers a wide variety of on-the-spot government services at one single location.

The County’s annual Block Party will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, in Concord.

This is the fifth year that Contra Costa County has hosted the increasingly popular event. The “Block Party” rotates locations each year to provide opportunities to engage with different communities around the County.

“This event is designed to bring together multiple services in one location and make it easier for county residents to get things done,” said District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson. “We’re serving residents where they are.”

“Accessibility and outreach are key goals for me as a county elected official, and the County Block Party is a great way to offer county residents accessibility to services out in the community,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters. “Our department is excited to be an integral part of this annual event.”

Available services at the Block Party event will include, but are not limited to:

  • Apply for CalFresh & Medi-Cal,
  • Information about childcare and preschool options,
  • Record with Reach from Clerk-Recorder’s Office
  • Library Card Signups,
  • Weatherization information,
  • Voter Registration,
  • Clean Slate Program information,
  • Contra Costa Television (CCTV) — and many more programs.

Food Trucks will offer food for purchase, and parking is free.

For more information, please call the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department at 925-335-7805.

Concord man arrested for stabbing older roommate to death

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By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at approximately 4 pm, Officers responded to a home in a North Concord neighborhood near Port Chicago Hwy. Officers found a 66-year-old male deceased inside the home, with apparent stab wounds. Officers arrested his 38-year-old roommate. It appears as if the two had an argument which led to the stabbing.

Nicholas Carson was taken into custody and is currently held at the Contra Costa County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective James Nielsen at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #23-05129

 

CHP Officer injured by suspected DUI driver on Hwy 242 in Concord

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Traffic was blocked in all lanes of Hwy 4 westbound in Concord Saturday night, April 8, 2023.

By Adam Lane, PIO, CHP-Contra Costa

Last night, April 8, 2023, at 8:22pm, a CHP Contra Costa Officer was conducting an enforcement stop on a Chevrolet on the right shoulder of southbound Hwy 242, south of Hwy 4. The Officer was standing near the Chevrolet when a Mercedes traveling southbound veered from the roadway and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. The force of the crash caused the Chevrolet to strike the Officer standing near it.Our Officer was transported to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries and later released. She is expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered potential minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the Mercedes sustained no injuries and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Traffic was blocked in all westbound lanes of Hwy 4 from the Hwy 242 interchange to east of the Port Chicago Highway offramp causing a back-up on the freeway until about 8:55 p.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek suspects in smash and grab theft at Concord jewelry store

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By Lt. Robert Garcia, Concord Police Department

BURGLARY/GRAND THEFT – Sunvalley Shopping Center

Concord Police Case Number 23-03286

On March 31, 2023, at approximately 7:06pm, Concord Police Dispatch received a report of three masked subjects who entered St. Andrew Jewelers in the Sunvalley Shopping Center and smashed several cases with hammers. The employees of the store reported that the suspects made off with miscellaneous jewelry items. Officers responded to the scene however, the suspects had already left in a waiting vehicle. The actual dollar value loss is still being determined. There were no reported injuries during the incident.

The suspects were described as three African-American males in dark clothing and wearing ski masks, armed with hammers.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is being released at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, you can contact our anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.