Crime | Contra Costa Herald

Concord Police arrest two for February murder of Concord man

March 2, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Report and photos by Concord Police Investigations Division

On February 10, 2019, at approximately 1:45 am, Concord Police Officers were called to the area of Clayton Road and Detroit Avenue on a report of a man lying on the sidewalk and with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, 27-year-old Carlos Nunez of Concord, was declared deceased at the scene. Detectives of the Concord Police Department conducted an investigation and located surveillance camera footage from a nearby apartment complex camera that showed the suspects a block from the crime scene prior to the murder.

The investigation revealed that the victim contacted a group of persons and asked them if anyone wanted to purchase his bicycle. Two members of the group claimed that the bicycle was stolen and belonged to them. When the suspect left the area, he was followed by the two suspects who shot and killed him when he got to Clayton Rd. The suspects then stole the bicycle and other personal property from the victim.

The suspects were identified by detectives and warrants were issued for their arrest. On February 22nd, Jose Hernandez-Barajas, 21 years old, and Luis Angel Mendoza, 19 years old, were arrested for Nunez’s murder. Both are residents of Concord. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has charged both with Murder, Robbery, and Personal Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime. They are currently both incarcerated in the Contra Costa County Jail.

Martinez man sentenced to six years in prison for child molestation

February 27, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

On Tuesday February 26, 2019, 21-year-old Martinez resident Aaron Mikkelsen pleaded guilty to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to six years in state prison. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable David E. Goldstein. Through his guilty plea, Mikkelsen admitted that he sexually molested a child under the age of 13 years old, in violation of California Penal Code section 288(a). Mikkelsen will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

On October 23, 2018, the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant in Martinez related to Mikkelsen selling child pornography on social media. During the search, investigators discovered evidence that Mikkelsen had sexually abused a child under 13 years old. Investigators located a significant amount of child sexual abuse material on his cell phone and in various social media accounts. (See related article).

“Protecting our children from hands on sexual abuse and online exploitation is a priority for this Office. Individuals who seek to victimize the most vulnerable members of our society will face significant consequences,” said District Attorney Diana Becton.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.

Case information: People v. Aaron Kurtis Mikkelsen, Docket Number 01-187610-1

San Ramon Police seek suspect in attempted kidnapping of teenage girl on Friday, Feb. 22

February 26, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

From San Ramon Police Facebook Page

Please see above the forensic sketch and details from the incident that was reported on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in San Ramon.

On Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at approximately 5:30 p.m. a 13-year-old female was walking in the 500 block of Fallen Leaf Circle when an Indian male driving a white, possibly Nissan Rogue hatchback four-door vehicle, pulled up and contacted her. The unidentified male told her, “Your Dad asked me to pick you up and drop you off at your house.”

When she said “No thanks,” the male reached across to the passenger side and through the window, tried to grab the juvenile’s arm, but instead brushed her sweater sleeve as she pulled back. The juvenile ran to the nearby Iron Horse Trail and hid in the bushes until the subject left the area. The juvenile immediately called her mother and father (as evidenced by her call log).

The suspect is described as follows:

*East Indian male

*Dark skin color

*35-50 years old

*Light blue circle around the left eye

*Shaggy hair

*Spoke with an Indian accent with a lisp

*Wearing a black hooded jacket over a light blue or grey Nike shirt

*Ring on right hand with two overlapping snakes

The suspect vehicle is described as follows:

Possibly a Nissan Rogue. 4 Door hatchback, white in color, yellow star with smiley face sticker on front windshield, partial California plate of 7HM…6, back passenger side windows darkly tinted.

Any tips can be reported to the San Ramon Police Dispatch Center at (925) 973-2779.

Sheriff’s Office investigates Friday homicide of teen in Bay Point

February 19, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

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

On Friday, February 15, 2019, at about 8:48 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to an unknown medical problem on the first block of Lancaster Circle in Bay Point. The Sheriff’s Office was later told that someone was shot at that location.

Deputies arrived finding a person on the ground. The 18-year-old man suffered from a gunshot wound. The fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is not being identified at this time.

The investigation is ongoing by Detectives from the Homicide Unit.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Martinez man found guilty of trying to meet minor for sex

February 12, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the Contra Costa Costa District Attorney

On February 8, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant William Butte of Martinez guilty as charged of three felonies, including his attempt to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex. Butte communicated with who he thought was a minor on the mobile application Kik on August 24, 2017. Butte interacted with an undercover law enforcement officer after he posted a sexually explicit post on Craigslist, which contained language suggesting an interest in minors.

The undercover officer saw Butte’s Craigslist post in the now-defunct causal encounters section, in which Butte asked for a “naughty little girl” to engage in sex acts with him. During the conversation on Kik, Butte discussed meeting with the minor in-person, shared graphic details of sexual acts and he expressed a desire to have sex with the minor. When the undercover officer told Butte that he was a 15-year-old girl, Butte reacted favorably and asked questions about her sexual experience and history. Butte also invited the minor to his home to watch pornography together.

Butte and the officer discussed meeting in a public place. Upon Butte’s arrival to that agreed upon location, he was subsequently taken into custody and arrested.

Our Office will be requesting Butte serve time in state prison. Based upon the jury’s verdict, Defendant will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code section 290. Sentencing will occur on April 12, 2019 in front of the Honorable Anita Santos – Department 2 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Adam Wilks prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.

“Thanks in this case is due entirely to the jurors who sacrificed their time and had to wade through truly disturbing evidence in order to reach a fair verdict. Their service to the community in this case cannot be understated,” said Wilks.

The investigation was conducted by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.

Craigslist shut down the personal encounters section and the section is no longer active.

Sheriff’s Detectives investigate attempted rape near Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station on Thursday

February 1, 2019 By Publisher 2 Comments

Attempted rape suspect sought by County Sheriff’s Detectives. Photos by CCCSheriff.

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

Thursday afternoon at about 1:04 PM, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an alleged rape. A woman told Deputies she got on a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train in San Francisco and was approached by a man. The two started a conversation. They got off the BART train at the Pittsburg/Bay Point station and exited the station. They walked north on Bailey Road.

Sometime during their walk while in a vacant field near Mims Avenue and Canal Road, the man exposed himself to the woman and told her to perform a sexual act on him. The suspect then physically assaulted the victim and tried to remove her clothing, but the victim fought him off and was able to get away. The victim was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The suspect in this case was described as a black male adult, possibly in his 20’s, approximately 5’8” to 5’9”, medium build, with some facial hair. The suspect was last seen wearing black athletic shoes, blue jeans, and a white or gray hooded sweater under a hooded black jacket with fur trim on the hood. He was also carrying a red and black colored messenger style bag. Several photos of the suspect are attached.

Concord man found guilty of attempted murder

February 1, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney

On January 30, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Guido Ginochio of Concord guilty of two felonies, including the attempted murder of the victim. Ginochio used a firearm to fire two shots into the back of the victim in the evening of February 7, 2017. Hours later, Ginochio used his firearm to fire seven rounds into the Adaptive Learning Center on Clayton Road in Concord. During the shooting into the business, Ginochio was wearing a ballistic proof body vest.

Ginochio now faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on May 3, 2019 in front of the Honorable Laurel Brady – Department 31 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Adam McConney prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Community Violence Reduction Unit.

“The defendant’s senseless and unprovoked acts of gun violence not only nearly ended the victim’s life, but also endangered the lives of other members of our community,” said McConney. “All credit should be given to the victim, who bravely stood up to the defendant by testifying in court, and the jury for being attentive throughout the trial and ultimately delivering justice.”

Just after 10:00 p.m. on February 7, Ginochio approached the victim outside of the victim’s residence asking if Ginochio could buy marijuana. The victim refused the request and attempted to enter the residence to get away from Ginochio. When the victim attempted to gain access to the residence, Ginochio opened fire and hit the victim twice in the back, nearly killing him.

The felony counts against Ginochio are:

Count 1, Attempted Murder

o Enhancement 1, Personal and Intentional Discharge of a Firearm, Great Bodily Injury

Count 2, Discharge of Firearm with Gross Negligence

Case information: People v. Guido Vela Ginochio, Docket Number 05-171306-4.

Coroner’s Inquest jury finds death of San Pablo man in county jail to be of natural causes

January 31, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

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

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announced on Wednesday that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the February 7, 2018 death of 46-year-old David Lamarc Hubbard of San Pablo while in custody at the county jail in Martinez. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is natural causes.

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

According to the Sheriff’s Officials Hubbard was arrested on suspicion of stalking, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and possession of child pornography. He bail was set at $1,655,000.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving police 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.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Concord Police seek suspect in Sunday armed robbery

January 27, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Lt. Sam Staten, Martinez Police Department

On Sunday, January 20, 2019, at approximately 3:41 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the 1800 block of Monument Blvd. regarding an armed robbery that had occurred at Cricket Wireless. The suspect came into the business, brandished a handgun at the cashier and demanded the money from the register. The suspect took an undetermined amount of cash and fled the area.

An extensive search was conducted but the suspect was not located. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult in his 20’s with a thin moustache. He wore a dark grey sweatshirt with a red and white “Reebok” logo on the front, dark colored jeans and dark colored shoes or boots. He was armed with a black handgun.

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

Sheriff’s Deputies investigate shooting death of Richmond man in El Sobrante Saturday afternoon

January 26, 2019 By Publisher 3 Comments

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

At about 12:22 PM today, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of shots fired with a man down in the intersection of Jasmine Court and Jasmine Way in El Sobrante.

The caller advised that they had heard gunshots and saw a man in the street.

Deputies arrived on scene and found a man deceased at that location. He appeared to have suffered from a gunshot wound. The victim is being identified as 52-year-old Michael Bagwell of Richmond.

The Homicide Unit of the Investigation Division responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division via Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600 during business hours. You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.