Contra Costa Herald

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

Two Antioch female teens arrested for battery following fight at Concord restaurant Thursday

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Screenshot from KRON4 News report of fight at Concord restaurant Thurs., June 6, 2019.

18-year-old Pittsburg male also arrested for unrelated incident

By Lieutenant Sam Staten, Concord Police Department

On Thursday, June 06, 2019, at approximately 8:31 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the 2000 block of Diamond Blvd regarding a fight at a restaurant involving several patrons. Officers arrived and encountered a large crowd outside of the restaurant. The preliminary investigation revealed that two females, who were known to each other, got into a physical fight inside of the restaurant. The fight ended prior to police arrival. Officers questioned several people including the involved parties. They determined that the fight was due to conflict that had occurred in the past between the two involved females.

As a result, a 19-year-old black female adult and a 16-year-old female juvenile (both Antioch residents) were arrested for battery. An 18-year-old male from Pittsburg was also arrested for an unrelated incident. The victim sustained a minor injury as a result of the fight. Video surveillance from the restaurant was not available at the time the police were on scene. But, video of the incident was posted on NBC Bay Area and can be viewed, here. (WARNING: Video contains graphic language; viewer discretion advised)

Anyone with additional information in regard to this incident is asked to call Concord Police Department Detective Sergeant Mark Robison at (925)-671-5074.

Man arrested for burglary, false imprisonment of ex-girlfriend, child in Concord Friday morning

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By Lieutenant Sam Staten, Concord Police Department

On Friday, June 7, 2019, at approximately 7:29 AM, Concord Police Officers responded to the 1700 block of Thornwood Drive regarding a 911 call from a frantic woman. The woman called to report that her ex-boyfriend had gotten into her house and was “trying to kill her”. The woman said that she was inside of the residence with her three children. Officers arrived at the residence and found the woman’s two oldest children (10 and 12 years old) outside in front of the neighbor’s residence. The children said that the suspect was in the residence with the woman and another young child.

Once officers confirmed that the suspect was inside the residence with the woman and her youngest child, officers contacted the woman by her cell phone, and she confirmed that the suspect was armed and that she could not leave the residence.

After several minutes, Officers heard the woman in distress screaming for help, so they immediately forced entry into the residence and encountered the woman and the suspect. Officers were able to get the woman and child away from the suspect who was then taken into custody. Neither the woman nor the children were injured during this incident.

The suspect was identified as Concord resident 35-year-old Jasson Tan who is restrained from the woman. Tan was later booked at the Contra Costa County Jail.

This investigation into this incident is ongoing and no additional information will be released. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Concord Police Department Detective Sergeant Matt Cain at (925) 671-3235.

Contra Costa DA files Grand Jury Accusation against County Assessor Kramer for “willful or corrupt misconduct”

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Gus Kramer from the County Assessor’s webpage.

Kramer welcomes opportunity to face his accusers

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

Today, Wed., June 5, 2019 the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office’s filed a Grand Jury Accusation against Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer for “willful or corrupt” misconduct while serving as the county’s elected assessor (Government Code §§ 3060 et seq). Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury asserts that the defendant violated state law in creating a hostile work environment for multiple employees in the Assessor’s Office. Due to state law, our Office must accept, serve and file the accusation against the defendant. If a jury finds Mr. Kramer violated the law and if he is convicted, he will be removed from his position as the county’s elected assessor.

The Accusation alleges misconduct by Kramer which occurred from December 2013 through 2019. The Grand Jury Accusation alleges that Mr. Kramer made sexual comments towards female employees and his disparaging remarks targeted one of the victim’s ethnicity. The Civil Grand Jury found this alleged conduct was “hostile or abusive” against four employees. As a result, the Civil Grand Jury through its investigation found that this conduct by Mr. Kramer created a hostile work environment for his employees and is therefore a violation of the Fair Housing and Employment Act.

Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and to protect the privacy of the victims we will not be releasing any of their names.

Earlier this morning Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Walpole presented the filing before Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Theresa Canepa in Department 35. Our Office was not involved and did not participate in the investigation by the Civil Grand Jury. The District Attorney requested a judicial hearing to determine if the Office will be recused from the remainder of this proceeding.

The foreperson for the 2018-2019 Grand Jury is Richard S. Nakano. State law lists the requirements for the Civil Grand Jury and District Attorney’s Office to process an accusation against a public official.

UPDATE: When reached for comment Kramer stated, “I welcome the opportunity to face my accusers after all these years of these behind doors accusations. When the facts come out, I have had not one, I have had not two, but I have had three independent investigations done by the county and I have been exonerated for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation.”

“The sad part in all of this, the Grand Jury Foreman refused to hear my witnesses who would have refuted their claims. Worse he refused to give me the time I requested to present my side. They gave me two hours. I requested eight hours. The other side had more than 10 hours. Nor did he share all the information I provided him” he continued.” “The Grand Jury Foreman is guilty of obstruction of justice.”

When this is all over, the East Bay Times, the Board of Supervisors and their appointees on the Grand Jury are going to be ashamed of themselves for the unwarranted prosecution and persecution of the County Assessor,” Kramer stated. “The saddest part of this is corruption in government is alive and well on our Board of Supervisors.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Multi-county police pursuit starting in Pittsburg ends with driver’s arrest in Sonoma County Tuesday

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Screenshot from Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter video of suspect surrendering at end of pursuit on Tues., June 4, 2019.

By CHP-Golden Gate Division

Tuesday afternoon shortly before 1:30 pm, the Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg, CA attempted to stop a Toyota truck within their jurisdiction. The driver fled from officers at a high rate of speed. Pittsburg officers deployed a Starchase, LLC tracking device and discontinued the pursuit.
A Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter and CHP Airplane Air-37 arrived over the suspect vehicle and followed it from above. The suspect continued to flee through Contra Costa, Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties. After the Contra Costa Sheriff Helicopter discontinued their involvement, CHP H-32 arrived overhead.

Due to law enforcement monitoring from overhead, it allowed ground units to get into position and deploy spike strips. Once the vehicle became disabled by the spike strips, the suspect pulled to the shoulder and surrendered.

The CHP – Napa Office and the Sonoma Sheriff is jointly investigating this incident.

To see video of the pursuit, click here.

Man arrested in Concord for stealing car from resident’s driveway Saturday

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Stolen Jeep and suspect arrested by Concord Police. Photos by CPD.

By Concord Police Department

On Saturday, June 1, one of our Concord residents got up early to volunteer at a sports competition that showcases Veterans and active duty service members with disabilities. Before driving off, he realized he left important items in the house. As he entered his house, he immediately heard his vehicle pulling out of his driveway (he realized he forgot to take the keys out). He ran out front and saw his car driving off towards Clayton Road.

Our good-hearted community member dialed 9-1-1 and Concord Police responded immediately to the call. Within 10 minutes of being broadcast an observant Officer saw the stolen vehicle driving on Willow Pass Rd. near Landana Dr. (almost four miles away from where it was taken). The car thief casually turned off on a side street, but then pulled over once he saw the officer was still following behind. The suspect was placed under arrest without incident and the registered owner was reunited with his car.

We are happy to report that because of CPD’s quick response, our community member was able to make it in time to volunteer for the Valor Games!

Man dies following shooting by police in Walnut Creek Sunday afternoon

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By Lieutenant Tracie Reese, Walnut Creek Police Department

Walnut Creek Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place today, June 2, after multiple 911 calls regarding a disturbance at a home on Sandra Court. The first 911 call was received at 4:41 p.m. The caller said her grandson, a 23-year-old from Walnut Creek, came into her room and threatened her. The dispatcher could hear a male voice yelling in the background. At 4:42 p.m., Walnut Creek Police received a call from a nearby resident, who said he could hear an argument and possibly a gunshot. At 4:47 p.m., WCPD spoke to a second resident from where the disturbance was occurring. The caller reported her son was being violent and threatened her with a metal pole. The woman said her son has mental health problems and will be aggressive with police. The woman said he broke a sliding glass window and had a metal pole with a pointed end.

Officers arrived at 4:52 p.m. At 4:53 P.M., WCPD dispatch received another 911 call from another resident on Sandra Court. The caller said a man was pounding on his front door, had a red bandana over his head and face, and a giant crowbar in his hand.

Officers searched the neighborhood and found a man with a long pry bar with a pointed end walking on Arlene Lane towards a residence. Officers gave multiple commands, ordering him to drop the pry bar. He ignored those commands and ran towards the officers with the pry bar. One officer shot multiple less-than-lethal kinetic energy rounds (also referred to as bean bags) at the man. He continued to run at the officers, resulting in two officers firing their handguns at him. He was struck and fell to the ground but, attempted to get up. Officers were able to subdue him, and provided lifesaving measures, including CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. He was transported to John Muir Hospital where he later died from his injuries. His family has been notified.

The Coroner’s office will be releasing his name. The Walnut Creek Police Department is deeply saddened by this event as any loss of life is tragic.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Walnut Creek Police Department are actively working on this ongoing investigation. The five officers who were on scene will be interviewed and placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. We anticipate releasing the officer’s Body Worn Camera footage on a later date.

If anyone has information regarding this crime, please call Walnut Creek Police Department immediately at 925-935-6400 or Detective Greg Leonard at 925-256-3523. This investigation is in its early stages. Information could change as the investigation continues.

Contra Costa DA creates office’s first ever standalone conviction integrity unit

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District Attorney Diana Becton announced recently that she has created the first ever standalone Conviction Integrity Unit for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The unit will investigate wrongful conviction claims of actual innocence based on new evidence and information, and cases where there is evidence involving significant integrity issues. Interested parties can submit a claim using the forms on the district attorney’s website to the Conviction Integrity Unit through the District Attorney’s Office.

“Our Office is ethically bound to consider any legal wrongs committed during a prosecution of an individual. With this new unit, the public can be assured we have resources now at our disposal to investigate prior convictions and seek justice for the wrongly convicted. We have a duty as prosecutors to uphold the law and administer fair justice for all. Our Office now joins over 30 jurisdictions across the country in a growing movement to establish Conviction Integrity Units,” said Becton.

The Conviction Integrity Unit will also assist in reviewing and developing practices and policies related to training, case assessment, investigations, and disclosure obligations with the goal of preventing wrongful convictions in the first place. The unit is supervised by Deputy District Attorney Brian Feinberg and overseen by Assistant District Attorney Venus D. Johnson.

Multiple national and local criminal justice organizations such as the Innocence Project, Fair and Just Prosecution, and Immigration Legal Resource Center support DA Becton’s move to create the Conviction Integrity Unit.

In a support letter, Fair and Just Prosecution’s Miriam Aroni Krinsky wrote: “Having a process for review of convictions through a CIU is a recognized best practice around the nation. Establishing these protocols in Contra Costa County will protect the integrity of the criminal justice process and promote public safety by bolstering trust and confidence in local law enforcement and the justice system as a whole.”

Rose Cahn, a Criminal and Immigrant Justice Attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s said: “We applaud the CCCDA’s leadership and its commitment to ensuring that innocent people do not face continued punishment, from inside or outside the criminal justice system.”

Northern California Innocence Project’s Executive Director, Linda Starr, also supports the creation of a standalone Conviction Integrity Unit as our Office’s new unit “includes all of the best practices — neutral, expansive, and collaborative review — which will lead to just results.”

Stabbing in Concord Thursday afternoon

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By Corporal S. Galer, Concord Police Department

On Thursday, May 30, 2019 just before 2pm, Officers responded to the 1400 block of Bel Air Dr. for a report of a stabbing. Investigators learned that three male teenagers, two of which are brothers, were playing video games inside an apartment. For reasons that are unknown at this time, one of the brothers produced a knife and stabbed the visiting friend several times. The juvenile suspect then fled the apartment; however, soon after called CPD dispatch to turn himself in.

The juvenile suspect was taken into custody a few blocks away from the apartment without incident. The victim was flown to a trauma center based on the injuries he sustained. There is no additional threat to the community.

This is an active investigation and no further details are being released at this time.

Nearly 50 gunshots at Pleasant Hill hotel early Sunday morning

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Residence Inn Pleasant Hill. From their website.

By Sgt. Janayla Pierson, Pleasant Hill Police Department

On June 2nd at 01:00 AM, officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired at the Residence Inn located at 700 Ellinwood Way. A large number of people were leaving the area when officers arrived. Nearly fifty casings were located in the parking lot where numerous vehicles were struck and a round was fired into an occupied room. There were no injuries reported. The investigation is ongoing.

According to a KRON4 news report a party was going on in the room. But authorities do not know yet if there was a connection between the party and the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department at (925) 288-4600.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man gets 30-month prison sentence for filing over 200 fraudulent tax returns

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Jeremy Orr was sentenced to 30 months in prison for wire fraud after filing more than 200 fraudulent income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, David L. Anderson and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter.  The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, U.S. District Judge.

Orr, 36, of Richmond, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on March 12, 2019.  According to his plea agreement, Orr admitted he devised a scheme to defraud the IRS of hundreds of thousands of dollars by filing false federal income tax returns.  Orr obtained the personal identification information of individuals in and around the Bay Area and prepared false 2011 federal income tax returns in the names of those individuals.  The tax returns reported false wages, false education expenses, or both, that generated a fraudulent income tax refund.  In sum, Orr electronically filed more than 200 false tax returns with the IRS resulting in claimed fraudulent tax refunds totaling $335,142.

A federal grand jury indicted Orr on January 15, 2015, charging him with four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A.  Orr pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and the remaining charges were dismissed.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White ordered the defendant to serve a three-year period of supervised release.  The defendant was remanded into custody on June 12, 2018, and will begin serving his prison term immediately.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Olivera is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez and Katie Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI.