Contra Costa Herald

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

Sheriff’s Detectives seize 600 marijuana plants worth $450,000 from Discovery Bay home Wednesday

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Some of the 600 marijuana plants growing in a Discovery Bay home seized by Sheriff’s Detectives on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Wednesday morning, November 22, 2017 Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Special Investigation Unit served a search warrant at a home on the 2000 block of Wayfarer Court in Discovery Bay. This follows an investigation into a marijuana grow-ing operation at the residence.

Detectives seized approximately 600 marijuana plants worth an estimated $450,000. No one was at the residence. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on the case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

County Probation Department to increase monitoring of high-risk DUI offenders

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State grant to support concentrated efforts to reduce repeat offenses

Contra Costa County’s Probation Department will get a boost in its efforts to ensure that high-risk, felony and repeat DUI offenders are complying with court orders and keeping it safe on the roadways.  The County has been awarded a $373,541 grant to help the Probation Department target potential repeat offenders.  The grant comes from the state’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS.)

“We are grateful for the continued partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety, which now spans more than ten years,” said Chief Probation Officer Todd Billeci.  “The oversight and assistance of OTS, coupled with strong working relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies, allows the Probation Department to closely monitor and rehabilitate offenders.  The goal is to protect the public and reduce the traumatic impact impaired driving causes across our community.”

During 2014/2015, 21 people were killed and 449 injured in Contra Costa County alone because of collisions tied to alcohol and other drugs.  The grant puts a special focus on high-risk repeat offenders.  It will allow the Probation Department to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions.  Tactics will include unannounced home searches, random alcohol and drug testing, and special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs.

“Probation orders help ensure that these offenders are not a risk to themselves or others,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “By working on compliance, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, with the assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will be helping keep the streets across Contra Costa County safe for all.”

While alcohol remains the biggest factor in DUI crashes, the Contra Costa County Probation Department supports the new effort from OTS that aims to boost awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”  Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing on their own, as well as in combination with alcohol and other drugs, leading to a DUI arrest.

Funding for the California Office of Traffic Safety grant is through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Sparring Expo holiday event to help fight human trafficking in Contra Costa County

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Feet First Foundation and Toys for Tots presents Sparring Expo, a holiday event on Saturday December 16th, 2017.

Hosted by Sean Sharkey and Christian Sharkey, the event will raise funds to help at-risk youth in Contra Costa County in the fight against human trafficking – saving lives one by one.

Sponsored by Urban Barber College, Toys for Tots by U.S. Marines, Fightkore Gym, & Feet First Foundation

Special Guests include Pro Fighters Angel Cordon and Tino Avila plus a Special Guest.

Doors Open at 5:00-7:30 pm. Live Boxing Expedition with local fighters follows a Holiday Reception 7:30-9:00 pm. The event will include small plate appetizers and drinks

at 816 Main Street in Martinez.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get 1/2 off ticket, and are available here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feet-first-foundation-and-toys-for-tots-present-sparring-expo-tickets-39945407790

For more information about Feet First Foundation, visit their website or Facebook page.

Marsh Creek Detention Facility holds show of over 1,500 Christmas toys made by inmates

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Some of the Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates proudly display toys they made for children in the county. Photos by CCCSheriff

County’s collaborative program celebrates its 26th year of bringing joy to local at-risk children

By Jonathan Lance, Communications Specialist, Contra Costa County Office of Education

For the 26th straight year, a number of representatives from Contra Costa County non-profit agencies were on hand today for the annual Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s Toy Show to fulfill their at-risk children’s Christmas wish lists. The representatives were able to choose from numerous newly handcrafted toys and bicycles refurbished by the facility’s inmates. These gifts will then be given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays.

All of the attendees were absolutely awestruck when walking into the Detention Center’s wood shop, which had been turned into an elaborate, colorful Santa’s Workshop. Coordinated by Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) teacher Paul Turner and with the help of some of his students, their beautiful bicycles and toys were on display among Holiday decorations. Joining the non-profit-agency representatives were Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Sheriff David Livingston, as well as numerous representatives from both agencies to celebrate this longtime partnership that benefits the community.

Both Superintendent Sakata and Sheriff Livingston spoke to the large gathering about the extremely successful partnership of the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s (CCCOE) accredited shop classes being taught in a Contra Costa County Jail. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful agency collaboration that creates such value to our county,” said Superintendent Sakata. “With this project, these adult students will certainly bring a brighter Holiday Season to many children throughout our community.”

Sheriff Livingston agreed about the long-standing successful partnership during his morning welcome, and thanked the many representatives with the CCCOE and the Sheriff’s Office. “This outstanding event always officially kicks off the holidays for me,” said Sheriff Livingston. During his offer of gratitude to a number of attendees, he added a special message, addressing the inmates, who were also present at the event and had recently been working on the toys and bikes, “I want to thank you gentlemen and those before you that have been working diligently on this year-long program. You’ll bring a lot of joy to our community’s kids with your woodshop skills”

Contra Costa County non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Housing District, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, El Cerrito Rotary, Friends of Oakley, Pittsburg Police Department, Shelter Inc., The Salvation Army-Antioch Corps, Shepherd’s Gate, La Casa, and VESTIA, Inc.

This year, these organizations were able to choose from more than 1,500 handcrafted toys and 90 bicycles refurbished by inmates from the facility. These toys and bikes are being donated to children served by these organizations for the upcoming holidays. A dedicated group of Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have been working on this project for the past year. They have been extremely busy fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new, and crafting colorful and beautiful wooden toys, such as, motorcycle rocking chairs, spinning carousels, cars, doll houses, baby cradles, toy tractors, train sets, and more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the jail facility.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

During the 2016-17 school year, over 3,000 adult inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic literacy and GED or HiSET high school equivalency preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop, construction, and state-of-the-art computer training. By the end of the school year, 37 student-inmate(s) received their high school equivalency certificate (Hi SET) and 29 received a high school diploma. In addition, there were 328 students who demonstrated learning gains in reading or math, and 317 students earned a certificate of completion in computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and Evaluation). These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse prevention. Last year, 78 students completed at least one of the three phases, and 350 students graduated from DEUCE. The parenting class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with 140 certificates issued last school year through the COPE: Counseling Options and Parent Education or Parenting Inside/Out programs. Three years ago, the CCCOE opened a new re-entry class at the West County Detention Facility. The re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft skills workshops, and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program called Transitions. Currently, 218 inmates are enrolled in the re-entry course. These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community.

Reward increased to $5,000 in Blackhawk building vehicle collision, hit and run

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Damage from vehicle crash into building in Blackhawk on August 18, 2017. Herald file photos courtesy of CCSheriff

From CCC Sheriff Facebook page

The reward being offered in the August 18, 2017 vehicle collision into an office building in Blackhawk has doubled to $5,000. The reward, being offered by an insurance company, is for the positive identification and arrest of the suspect in this case. (See related article)

On that evening at about 10 PM, a black, newer-model Land Rover with paper plates collided into the office building located on Executive Parkway, across from Blackhawk Plaza. There was major damage to the office building.

The vehicle then fled and crashed into two parked cars on Center Way near the Chevron Station in the town of Danville.

The Land Rover was driven by a white male described as being in his early 50’s wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt. There was also a white female passenger possibly named “Gloria”. According to witnesses, the Land Rover was later towed from the corner of Indian Rice Road and Goldenrod Lane in Danville.

The male driver was last seen waving down cars on Crow Canyon Road. It is believed the occupants had just left a free concert at Blackhawk Plaza.

If anyone has any information about the vehicle (which should have sustained major damage), its occupants, or the name of the tow truck company, please contact the Blackhawk Police Department at (925) 736-1018.  You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

County CASE Team investigation nets arrests of nine East County suspects

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Guns and drugs seized by the CASE team during a recent investigation in East County. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

After a months-long investigation into a gang in East Contra Costa County that was allegedly transferring firearms illegally, law enforcement officers on Wednesday executed eight search warrants in Pittsburg, Antioch, and Bay Point.

The investigation was led by CASE (Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort). During the operation, CASE was assisted by Special Agents from the California Department of Justice (Burea…u of Firearms), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, Pittsburg Police Department, Walnut Creek Police Department, Richmond Police Department and Probation Officers from the Contra Costa County Probation Department.

A total of nine people were arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. They are being held on numerous charges that include conspiracy, gang and narcotics violations, and weapons’ charges including felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an assault rife, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and illegal transfer of a firearm.

During searches of the locations, law enforcement officers seized one AK-47 style assault rifle, three handguns, high capacity magazines, cocaine, marijuana, and pills.

The CASE Team is a joint effort by the Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, Pittsburg Police Department and Walnut Creek Police Department. CASE was created in November 2011 as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crimes in Contra Costa, especially those related to illegal firearms.

High-speed police pursuit on Hwy 4 Sunday night ends near Oakley where car was stolen Saturday night

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By Allen Payton

According to eyewitnesses about 10 or 12 police vehicles had another car stopped on Laurel Road near the Highway 4 offramp at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday night. It turned to be the end of a high-speed police pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

“It was a vehicle that got carjacked last night in Oakley,” said Oakley Police Sgt. Rick Grubaugh,

“Today he was driving through Pittsburg on Highway 4 eastbound,” he continued. “Pittsburg PD began pursuing it. The vehicle took the Laurel Road offramp and that’s where the vehicle pursuit ended, and we took the guy into custody.”

It was a high-speed pursuit on Hwy 4, Grubaugh confirmed.

Oakley PD was there near the Laurel Road offramp waiting for the driver, he explained.

The “30-year-old black male” is “from somewhere on the west end of the county” and “is fine and in custody,” Grubaugh added.

Concord police identify two of five suspects arrested in Monday’s shooting death near high school

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Photos courtesy of Concord PD.

Four face murder, other charges

From Concord Police Department Facebook Page

Concord Police provided an update to their investigation into the Monday murder of a teen near Olympic High School. (See related article)

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Concord Police Detectives presented this murder case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the following charges were filed:

– Kristhiam Uceda, a 20-year old Concord resident, was charged with murder.

– Bryan Sermeno-Chachagua, an 18-year old Concord resident, was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

We are not identifying three suspects due to their ages:

– A 17-year old Concord male was charged with murder for driving the involved car.

– Another 17-year old Concord male was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

– No charges were filed at this time against a 5th male juvenile.

The Concord Police Department is not releasing further details at this time, due to the ongoing investigation. Inquiries can be referred to Lieutenant Mike Kindorf at (925) 671-3478.

Concord Police make multiple arrests in Monday shooting death of teen

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From the Concord Police Facebook Page

Concord Police Officers have made several arrests in the below described homicide that occurred yesterday near Olympic High School in our downtown. The individuals arrested have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time. They are exploring all avenues to explain the motive in this case. There were multiple individuals in the suspect vehicle.

Further information was available at a press conference that was held today, Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 5:30 PM in front of the Concord Police Department at 1350 Galindo St in Concord. It can be viewed on the CPD Facebook page, here.

Original Post: We are currently investigating a shooting that occurred at 1:32 PM, near Olympic High School, at the corner of Salvio Street and Beach Street. Our investigation reveals that after school let out for the day, a passenger in an unknown black sedan, exited the suspect vehicle and approached a group of individuals off campus. The suspect shot at one of the individuals, as the others ran for safety. The victim ran onto the campus of Olympic High School where he was medically treated by staff, paramedics and police. There are no other injured people. The victim was transported to a local hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.

If you were a witness to the shooting and have not been contacted by a CPD officer, please contact the Concord Police Department at 925-671-3333.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

$25,000 reward offered for Friday burglaries in Blackhawk

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Two of the three burglary suspects are seen in this screenshot of a surveillance video at a Blackhawk home on Friday night, Nov. 3, 2017. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

B

One of the Blackhawk burglary suspects.

y Jimmy Lee, Public Information Office, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Blackhawk Homeowners Association is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the suspects involved in a string of burglaries in Blackhawk.

On Friday, November 3, 2017, at about 7:30 PM, Blackhawk Police Services received a report of a burglary on the 5400 block of Blackhawk Drive. Three suspects apparently entered a residence and took personal property and valuables. See images be-low. The suspects match the descriptions of those who committed previous burglaries.

Anyone with any information on this incident or the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Blackhawk Police Services at (925) 736-1018 or the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.