Contra Costa Herald

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

Three arrested for stabbing 15-year-old boy while he tried to get cell phone back in Concord Thursday

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By Concord Police Department

On April 11th, 2019 at 2:47 P.M., Concord Police officers responded to a reported stabbing of a fifteen-year-old juvenile subject on Salvio Street. Investigation revealed that the victim had been approached by three adult males, one of whom asked to use the victim’s cell phone. After the victim gave his phone to this adult, all three walked away, having not returned the phone to the victim. The victim followed the three adults to a nearby parking garage, begging for his phone to be returned. As the adults entered a stairwell in the parking garage with the victim still following, the adults battered and stabbed the victim, causing significant injuries that were later determined not to be life threatening. The adults also stole the victim’s shoes and personal belongings before fleeing the area. The victim contacted the Concord Police Department and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Within a few hours, all three suspects were located by CPD officers and positively identified by the victim. Most of the victim’s personal property was recovered. Each suspect was charged with kidnapping, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and enhancements for participating in a street gang. All three suspects remain in county jail on nearly $300,000.00 bail.

As this investigation is ongoing, no additional information is being released at this time. CPD case #19-4869

Sheriff’s Deputies search for suspects in armed robbery of Discovery Bay Chase bank branch Thursday

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Discovery Bay Chase bank branch. Photo by KTVU Fox2

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

At approximately 9:50am, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff responded to a report of an armed robbery at a bank on the 14800 block of State Route 4 in Discovery Bay.

A witness at the location reported she saw two men run into the bank and run out shortly after, carrying what was thought to be a handgun and a backpack.

Deputy Sheriffs arrived at the location and confirmed that an armed robbery had occurred. The two suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

They were last seen running to a vehicle and leaving the area north on Bixler Road. The suspects are outstanding.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

DA’s office, Supervisors celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13

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The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 7-13, 2019, is raising awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introducing the community to the important resources and services available. On Tuesday the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The DA’s Office then hosted a recognition ceremony to honor the awardees of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The awardees for this year’s recognition are as follows:

  • Special Courage: Juliann Marlang
  • Making a Difference: Sarah Alpert
  • Above and Beyond: Jesse Gregory
  • Victim Advocate: Sandra Guiterrez-Banales
  • Support Staff: Laura Muro
  • DA Investigations: Senior Inspector Rick Rivera
  • Attorney: Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler
  • Law Enforcement: Detective Joseph Nunemaker
  • Probation Officer: Nancy Kenoyer

During the week, the District Attorney’s Office is honoring champions in advocating for expanded support and services to communities affected by crime.

  • Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. vigils in two locations: 2151 Salvio Street, Concord (Family Justice Center) and 65 Civic Ave, Pittsburg (Pittsburg City Hall)
  • Saturday, April 13, 5:30 p.m. Survivors Speak National Healing Vigil, 2621 Shane Drive, Richmond (Sojourner Truth Church)

This year’s theme – Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future. – encourages commemoration, honor, and respect toward the crime victim advocates, allied professionals, and selfless volunteers who have courageously worked for increased rights for crime victims. The theme also invites us to look toward a future of inclusive, accessible, and innovative resources and services for survivors.

For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please contact our office at 925-957-8650 or visit www.contracostada.org.

For additional ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.

Man arrested in Knightsen for Thursday night stabbing murder in Pittsburg

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By Pittsburg Police Department

Late Thursday evening, shortly after 9 P.M., Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Hermosa Avenue in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a man outside suffering from stab wounds to his upper body. The man was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where he later died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

The Pittsburg Police Department Investigations Division and CSI Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detectives quickly contacted witnesses to the incident and obtained a description of the suspect and a car that was seen driving away from the location. The car, a white four-door sedan, was later determined to have fled the area towards State Route 4. Detective utilized the city of Pittsburg’s surveillance camera system, along with the recently installed county-wide Freeway Security Network, to locate the sedan as it traveled eastbound on State Route 4. With the use of this surveillance system, detectives were able to obtain a license plate for the car.

Detectives later authored an Arrest and Search Warrant for a residence located in the town of Knightsen. The Pittsburg Police Department tactical team conducted the service of the warrant early this morning and took the suspect, identified as Jimmy Lee Biles, Jr. (48 years old), into custody. It is unknown at this time the relationship between Biles, Jr. and the victim.

This case remains an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notifications. This is the City of Pittsburg’s third homicide of the year.

The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

Pittsburg Police arrest man for stabbing cousin to death on Monday

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By Pittsburg Police Department

On Monday afternoon, April 1, 2019, Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Beechwood Court in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found an adult female suffering from stab wounds to her upper body. The woman was identified as Kirstiene Catapusan (28 years old). Catapusan was later transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where she died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

During the investigation, it was learned that Catapusan and her cousin, identified as suspect Henry Brodie, III (29 years old), engaged in an argument inside the residence. During the argument, Brodie became enraged with Catapusan and stabbed her several times with a large knife he retrieved from the house. Family members at the residence intervened, detained Brodie and called 911. Officers arrived at the house and placed Brodie under arrested, later transporting him to the police department. During the investigation Brodie was interviewed by detective and admitted to his actions, stabbing Catapusan several times during the argument. He was later booked and transport to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Today, detectives met with the District Attorney’s Office to review the case for charges against Brodie. The District Attorney’s Office filed Murder charges against Brodie. Brodie remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $2,000,000 bail. This is the city of Pittsburg’s second homicide of the year.

CHP investigates another Highway 4 shooting, in Martinez Saturday night, no injuries

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Descriptions of shooter and driver provided by victims

By Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer, CHP-Contra Costa

Late last night on Saturday, March 30 just before midnight at 11:57pm, CHP was advised of a possible freeway shooting that occurred on HWY-4 W/B between Franklin Canyon and McEwen Road, just outside of Martinez.

Upon CHP arrival, the victim vehicle, a silver Nissan Maxima, was parked on the right shoulder with two apparent bullet holes in the windshield. The two victims in the Nissan, an adult male driver and an adult female passenger, we’re thankfully not injured and awaiting CHP‘s arrival and were cooperative throughout the entire investigation. The suspect vehicle fled the area.
We have learned through the victims the following; They were traveling on HWY-4 W/B when possibly a newer model white Toyota Corolla (or a similar style vehicle) quickly approached the back of the Nissan, began tailgating them, and then moved to pass on the left side, as the Nissan began to slow.

The victim driver related the passenger of the suspect Toyota began yelling and screaming at them. The male victim then slowed and parked the Nissan on the right shoulder in an attempt to allow the suspect to pass but the suspect vehicle also stopped on the right shoulder & parked in front of the Nissan. Then the male victim related bullets were fired at them from the passenger side window of the suspect Toyota, striking the Nissan windshield. Luckily the male and female victim both ducked below the dash and we’re not injured. Then the suspect vehicle fled the area.
The suspect passenger is described as a white male adult between 35-40 years old, bald, w/ tattoos on his face and right arm. The driver is described as possibly a mixed ethnicity adult male between 30-35 years old, with short black hair.

This incident is still under investigation and we do not have any further details or information to release.
We cannot predict when criminals are going to commit these crimes but what we can do, is a thorough investigation in which you can possibly assist us. We’d like to advise the public of these TIPS if you witness or have information regarding any freeway shooting;
1 – Know which freeway you’re on with your direction of travel, and nearest offramp
2 – Try to get a make, model and color of the suspect vehicle, and a full license plate if possible
3 – Try to get a description of the suspect or suspects, male or female, approximate age, ethnicity, clothing description, identifying marks or tattoos, etc.

If you have any information regarding this incident on HWY-4 from last night, please contact Contra Costa CHP at 925-646-4980. Or you can also call our 24-hr Tip Line at 707-917-4491.

Retired fire captain arrested for committing multiple lewd acts upon a child

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Occurred in Contra Costa County years ago. Out on $1 million bail Wednesday morning.

By Allen Payton

According to a Facebook post by the Placer County Sheriff, “Tuesday afternoon, detectives with the Placer County Sheriff’s Crimes Against Persons Unit arrested Gerald Norman Fogel, 57, of Foresthill at his residence. Fogel was arrested for ten counts of Committing a Lewd Act Upon a Child Under 14-years old.

Sheriff investigators learned of the abuse which occurred numerous years ago in Contra Costa County. Working with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained an arrest warrant from Contra Costa County and a Placer County search warrant.

Fogel was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail with a bail of $1,000,000. He is a former Fremont firefighter and former volunteer Fire Captain for the Foresthill Fire Protection District.

As of Wednesday, Fogel was able to bail out and a concerned resident contacted the Herald stating that Fogel is living in Concord within a short distance of three elementary schools and a child care center.

Please check back later for updates to this report.

Pittsburg principal dies from gunshot by wife in domestic violence incident

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Paul Shatswell

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Barrie Drive in regards to a shooting. When officers and medical personnel arrived they found a 45-year-old man, identified as Paul Shatswell, with a gunshot wound. It was later determined during a domestic altercation the man’s wife, 39-year-old Maria Vides, shot him with a handgun. The man was transported to a local hospital and has been in critical condition since this incident occurred. On Sunday March 24, 2019, Paul Shatswell died as a result of his injuries.

Last week, on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, this investigation was reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Vides was charged with attempted murder, an enhancement of inflicting great bodily injury in the commission of a felony, and an enhancement of committing a felony with the use of a firearm. Bail for Vides was set at $2,070,000. Due to the death of Shatswell, the case will be taken back to the District Attorney’s Office for additional review and Investigators will be seeking the charges against Vides be amended to include murder.

Vides remains in custody at the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Main Jail in Martinez. This is the city of Pittsburg’s first homicide of the year.

Pittsburg Police investigate early Wednesday fatal hit-and-run collision

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West Leland Road near Bailey Road

By Pittsburg Police

Early this morning at 01:24 A.M., officers responded to a pedestrian versus vehicle collision near the intersection of West Leland Road and Bailey Road. Officers were advised that Firefighters from Station 87 were returning to their station on West Leland Road, when they encountered the collision. When officers arrived, the pedestrian was located in the westbound lanes of West Leland Road and Firefighters were performing lifesaving efforts. These efforts were unsuccessful, and the man succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the involved vehicle fled the scene and the make or model of the responsible vehicle is unknown at this time. The Pittsburg Police Department Fatal Accident Response Team responded and took over the investigation. It is believed the driver of the vehicle was traveling westbound on West Leland Road at the time of the collision. The identification of the pedestrian is being withheld pending notification to the family.

West Leland Road from Chestnut Drive and Bailey Road is expected to be closed until approximately 10:00 A.M. this morning.

This investigation remains active and officers are examining the city’s video surveillance system that may have captured the incident. The Pittsburg Police Department asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

Three Hwy 4 shooting suspects from 2016 each sentenced to 13 years in prison

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One each from Concord, Pittsburg and Antioch

By CHP-Contra Costa

Recently, three HWY-4 shooting suspects from 2016, were found guilty in a Contra Costa County Courtroom; two suspects received 13 years and the third received 12 years and 8 months in state prison. These were the results after a long and thorough investigation process and additionally long and thorough judicial process until final adjudication.

It takes quite a while for these shooting suspects to be brought to justice and finally sentenced but the effort and long hours are worth it, for the public to know that these criminals were tried and convicted and also for the families of the victims of these freeway shootings.

This specific case occurred on Feb. 1, 2016 and involved the three suspects traveling in a Nissan sedan on westbound HWY-4 when they shot their firearm out of their moving vehicle at the victim’s vehicle, which was all witnessed by an off-duty police officer. Then the suspects’ vehicle drove at a high rate of speed off the freeway to the Port Chicago Hwy off-ramp and subsequently was involved in a major collision within the intersection and caused injuries to all parties involved.

All three suspects were charged and convicted of the following:

-246 PC – Shooting at an occupied vehicle.

-186.22(a) PC – Participation in Criminal Street Gang

-29800 PC – Possession of Firearm by a Felon. (Oscar Torres)

– 11359 H&S – Possession for Sale of Marijuana

SENTENCES
-Zachery Paul Lopez (24 years old from Concord) was sentenced to 12 years and 8 months in State Prison.

-Oscar Osbaldo Torres (25 years old from Pittsburg) was sentenced to 13 years in State Prison.

-Antonio Ramirez Navarro (22 years old from Antioch) was also sentenced to 13 years in State Prison.

Public Safety and the preservation of life is always our #1 goal and although we cannot predict when criminals are going to commit these heinous crimes, what we can do is put together our very best investigation that will bring these criminals to justice and have them answer for their crimes.