Contra Costa Herald

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

Man arrested in Brentwood on multiple gun, drug charges

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Suspect Michael James Woodruff’s arrest and the gun, drugs and paraphernalia confiscated from him. Photos: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

Last Wednesday around 11:00 AM, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Brentwood Blvd. and Sims Road when he noticed a vehicle with expired registration.

While speaking with the driver, identified as 42-year-old Michael James Woodruff (born 3/4/1983), a second officer on scene observed a firearm in Woodruff’s waistband.

Officers safely detained Woodruff and conducted a search of the vehicle, where they located drugs, a digital scale, small baggies, and ammunition.

Woodruff was arrested for multiple firearm and drug-related offenses and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

This arrest is another example of how proactive policing helps keep illegal weapons and narcotics off our streets.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 220-pound Woodruff is Hispanic and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $354,000 bail. His next court appearance is on May 29th at 8:30 AM in Department 4 at the courthouse in Pittsburg.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CHP unleashes six new K-9 teams to fight crime, five trained to detect fentanyl

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Six CHP Officers with t their K-9 units during Thursday’s graduation. Source: CHP

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) graduated six newly trained K-9 teams today, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at its West Sacramento K-9 training facility, marking a significant step in bolstering public safety across the state.

After months of intensive training, five Belgian Malinois and one German Shepherd join their human partners on a mission to detect narcotics, explosives, and criminal suspects. This graduating class is the first to include canines trained to detect the scent of fentanyl from the beginning of their instruction—a proactive move to combat California’s opioid and fentanyl crisis.

“These new K-9 teams have demonstrated incredible dedication and skill throughout their training,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “They’re not just protecting our communities—they’re enhancing our department’s ability to fight crime and save lives.

The new teams represent various regions across the state, with officers from the CHP’s Coastal, Golden Gate, Valley, Border, and Inland field divisions. These handlers bring between six and 17 years of departmental experience, ensuring seasoned leadership behind each K-9.

A CHP K-9 Team is congratulated during the graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Video screenshot source: CHP

The class includes:

  • Three Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine (PNDC) teams
  • One Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine (PEDC) team
  • Two Narcotics Detection Canine (NDC) teams

The PNDC teams completed at least 440 hours of criminal apprehension and narcotics detection training, while the PEDC team completed 600 hours focused on criminal apprehension and explosives detection. The NDC teams completed a minimum of 240 hours of training. All teams adhered to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) guidelines and will continue to train at least eight hours each week to maintain peak readiness.

The CHP’s K-9 program now includes 50 active teams statewide:

  • 34 PNDC teams
  • Nine PEDC teams
  • Five Explosives Detection K-9 teams
  • Two Narcotics Detection K-9 teams

In 2024 alone, CHP K-9s helped seize nearly 823 pounds of fentanyl, showcasing their critical role in the fight against illegal drugs.

The CHP invites dedicated law enforcement professionals to explore a career as a

K-9 handler. Learn more and apply at www.CHPMadeForMore.com to become part of an elite team serving and protecting California—four paws at a time.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 

Arrest made in Brentwood bank ATM theft

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A drive-up ATM at the Bank of America branch on Lone Tree Way in Brentwood was stolen on Thursday morning, May 22, 2025. Photo: Brentwood PD

San Jose suspect has history of arrests for theft, violent crimes since 2011

Contra Costa Sheriff, Antioch Police help establish perimeter

By Brentwood Police Department

Early this morning, Thursday May 22, 2025, Brentwood officers were dispatched to the 5100 block of Heidorn Ranch Road for a report of a suspicious circumstance along the Highway 4 corridor involving individuals associated with a Jeep.

As officers arrived, the suspects fled in the Jeep. Shortly thereafter, it was discovered that a large ATM safe had been forcibly removed and stolen from the Bank of America located on the 6200 block of Lone Tree Way. Evidence indicated the ATM’s cash box had been dragged along the Highway 4 corridor, where officers first responded.

A short time later, Brentwood Dispatch received a call reporting a vehicle matching the suspect description in the Deer Ridge area.

With the assistance of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Antioch Police Department, a perimeter was quickly established.

During a search of the area, 34-year-old Kevin Monge of San Jose (born 12/21/1989) was located hiding in a bush and was safely taken into custody.

Monge was arrested for grand theft and other related charges and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 190-pound Monge is being held on 30,000 bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he is Hispanic and has a history of arrests dating back to 2011 by multiple agencies, including Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clara PD, San Jose PD, Dublin PD and Orange PD for crimes including forgery and petty theft on Feb. 26, 2025, battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, grand theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, possession of another person’s ID with intent to defraud, possession of burglar’s tools, assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily harm and twice for DUI.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

2025 Greater Bay Area DA Summit convenes in Lafayette to address AI, Prop 36, retail theft

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2025 Greater Bay Area District Attorney Summit attendees. Source: Diana Becton for District Attorney

Elected District Attorneys and senior prosecutors from across the Bay, Northern California

By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant, Contra Costa District Attorney

Area and beyond gathered in Contra Costa County for the 2025 Greater Bay Area DA Summit. The all-day, invitational summit brought together leaders to collaborate on legal strategies and share innovations that address some of the most urgent challenges facing the criminal justice system. Now in its third year, the summit has become a critical regional forum since its inception in Santa Clara County in 2022 and continuing in Napa County in 2023. The 2025 summit took place on May 16th at the Veterans Memorial Center in Lafayette.

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton opened the summit with welcoming remarks that set the tone for the day’s discussions. In her address, DA Becton emphasized the importance of cross-jurisdictional partnerships and proactive approaches to public safety:

“The Greater Bay Area Summit has proven itself to be a constructive gathering where elected DAs from the Bay Area and beyond can share ideas, engage in robust discussions, and find practical solutions to increase public safety in the communities we serve. By coming together, we strengthen our collective ability to adapt to emerging technologies and respond to evolving criminal trends.”

Following her remarks, a series of expert-led panels explored timely and complex topics, including:

  • The Use of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology in Criminal Prosecution
  • Proposition 36 Implementation
  • Emerging Challenges with Race-Blind Charging
  • Legal Strategies in Combating Organized Retail Theft

Under District Attorney Becton’s leadership, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

has remained at the forefront of innovation, equity, and public safety. Hosting the summit further

reinforced her office’s role as a convener on issues that demand both legal insight and community engagement.

The 2025 Greater Bay Area District Attorney’s Summit was attended by the elected District Attorneys from the following counties:

Diana Becton, District Attorney of Contra Costa County

Lori Frugoli, District Attorney of Marin County

Ron Freitas, District Attorney of San Joaquin County

Allison Haley, District Attorney of Napa County

Thien Ho, District Attorney of Sacramento County

Brooke Jenkins, District Attorney of San Francisco County

Ursula Jones Dickson, District Attorney of Alameda County

Jeannine Pacioni, District Attorney of Monterey County

Jeff Reisig, District Attorney of Yolo County

Carla Rodriguez, District Attorney of Sonoma County

Jeffrey Rosen, District Attorney of Santa Clara County

Steve Wagstaffe, District Attorney of San Mateo County

In a post on her campaign Facebook page, Becton wrote about the Summit, “What an exciting day! I was honored to invite and host 12 elected Distrist Attorneys and senior prosecutors from across the Bay Area and beyond as we gathered in Contra Costa County for the 2025 Greater Bay Area DA Summit.

The all-day, invitational summit brought together leaders to collaborate on legal strategies and share innovations that address some of the most urgent challenges facing the criminal justice system.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Man arrested in Antioch for setting ex-girlfriend’s tent on fire in Brentwood

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Video screenshot of suspect’s vehicle from Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter STARR 3 and suspect arrested by Antioch Police. Source: Antioch PD

With help from Sheriff’s helicopter, K9’s; bonded out of custody

By Antioch Police Department

We’re just having a good time. Arresting criminals per usual. This little firebug lit his ex-girlfriend’s tent on fire while she was inside. The victim was okay, but there were now attempted murder charges in the works. The Brentwood Police Department put out a BOLO for his arrest and the next day he made his way to our city. When he stopped to get some car parts, he was unaware that his arrest was already imminent.

Two police K9’s assisted with the arrest and search of the suspect’s car. Photos: Antioch PD

Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter STARR 3 was overhead watching the car while a team waited out of view. When he attempted to get into his car to leave, we swooped in with overwhelming force. Seeing he was surrounded, and K9 Boss was watching his every move, he surrendered without incident. K9 Nox conducted a firearm search inside the vehicle to make sure there were no guns hidden inside.

Another felon of the streets. Justice for another victim. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Antioch man arrested in Brentwood for DUI with loaded gun

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The DUI suspect’s gun and ammunition confiscated by police on April 20, 2025. Photo: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

Around 11PM on April 20th, 2025, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Sand Creek Road and Highway 4 when they observed a vehicle weaving on the roadway. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as 50-year-old Gerord Maurice Neil of Antioch.

During the stop, the officer noticed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. After conducting a series of field sobriety tests, it was determined that Neil was driving under the influence of alcohol, and he was placed under arrest.

Following his arrest, a loaded firearm was discovered inside the vehicle.

Neil was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on charges related to DUI and possession of a loaded firearm.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Neil is Black and as of April 22nd he had bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

With help of U.S. Marshals Concord man arrested for attempted murder in March shooting

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Being held on over $1.5 million bail

Has history of arrests for other gun-related crimes dating back to 2016

By Concord Police Department

On March 18, 2025, at approximately 4:30 P.M., the Concord Police Department’s Communications Center was notified that a gunshot victim had come into the John Muir Emergency Department. Patrol Officers arrived at the hospital and learned that a single victim had been shot. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening, and the Victim was treated and released.

Officers located the scene of the shooting, which occurred in the area of Esperanza Drive and Huron Drive. Detectives from various CPD Investigative Units were called to the scene to further investigate. Through a variety of investigative methods, Devante Lucas Watson, age 27 (born 8/6/97) of Concord, was identified as the suspected shooter in this case.

An arrest warrant for Watson was sought and approved. With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service, Watson was located at a location in Richmond where he was arrested and transported to the Concord Jail. Detectives conducted multiple search warrants and located a loaded firearm.

Further investigation has led to the conclusion this was a targeted attack and not a random act of violence.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a five-count felony criminal complaint on Watson for:

PC245(a)(2) – Assault with a semi-automatic firearm (two counts)

PC246 – Discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle

PC29800(a) – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

PC626.9(d) – Discharging a firearm in a school zone

Watson is being held in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1.5 million bail.

The Concord Police Department continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to violence in all areas of the City, with an extremely high emphasis on violence in school zones. Violence in school zones is simply unacceptable, and the Concord Police Department will dedicate all available resources to investigating and solving these crimes.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can reach out to Detective Luciano at 925-603-5831.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 170-pound Watson is Black, and being held on $1,521,000 bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Superior Court, Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including Concord and Pleasant Hill Police Departments and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for crimes, such as gun and drug charges, assault, battery, robbery and receiving or concealing stolen property.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Livermore man arrested for Walnut Creek bank robbery

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Pet sitting service manager didn’t use weapon

By Sgt. Mike Watson, Walnut Creek Police Department

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, Walnut Creek Police received a 911 call reporting a bank robbery that had just occurred at Chase Bank, 1390 S. Main Street. WCPD Officers arrived within minutes of the call and learned the suspect had passed a note to the teller demanding money. No weapon was used in the commission of the crime, and the suspect left in a vehicle after receiving money from the teller.

Officers continued to check the area and found the suspect vehicle traveling on Olympic Blvd. Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle at 1:07 PM and our investigation revealed the driver was the suspect in the bank robbery.

The suspect, 54-year-old Ronald Terry Lane, Jr. (born 10/15/70) of Livermore, was arrested and the money stolen was recovered from inside the vehicle. The suspect was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking and our Investigations Bureau will be forwarding the case to the District Attorney’s office for review.

Walnut Creek Police would like to thank the Chase employees for being quick to report the crime and provide detailed information that assisted our officers locate and apprehend the suspect.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the anonymous tip line at 925-943-5865.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 195-pound Lane is now being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail.

According to Bizapedia, he is the Manager of Twenty-Four Paws, LLC a pet-sitting service which is based in Livermore.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord credit union armed robbery suspects arrested following chase to San Jose, carjackings along the way, shooting by cops

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Officer involved shooting occurred with one of the armed suspects.

By Concord Police Department

On Monday, April 21, 2025, shortly before 10 am, two suspects committed an armed robbery at a credit union in Concord. Concord Police Officers located the suspect vehicle, which immediately began to flee, and a police pursuit was initiated.

The suspect vehicle became disabled on SB 680 in Sunol and the suspects carjacked two vehicles at gunpoint, ultimately fleeing again in one of them.

Concord Police Officers pursued the suspects in the carjacked vehicle to San Jose where that vehicle became disabled. An officer involved shooting involving Concord Police officers occurred with one of the armed suspects. That suspect was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. The other suspect was located in the area a short time later by San Jose Police Department officers.

There are no suspects still outstanding.

The Concord Police Department is investigating the bank robbery, pursuit, and carjacking and the San Jose Police Department is investigating the officer involved shooting that occurred in their jurisdiction. No further details are being released at this time.

Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Detective J. Riche at (925) 603-5922 or the Concord Police Department tip line at (925) 603-5836.

During pursuit wrong-way fatal crash on highway in Antioch claims life of Pittsburg suspect

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UPDATE: Following traffic stop; head-on crash sends driver to hospital, leads to more crashes

Two from additional collisions also taken to hospital

By Allen D. Payton

In an early morning post on X on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, by Contra Costa County Sheriff Director of Public Affairs Jimmy Lee, “Officer-involved protocol was invoked last night after a fatal vehicle collision. Deputy sheriffs terminated a pursuit on Highway 160 after the suspect crossed the divider and drove in the opposite direction. A short time after the pursuit was terminated and the deputies no longer had sight of the suspect’s vehicle, the collision occurred. DA’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.”

In a press release late Wednesday afternoon, Lee shared additional details:

A fatal traffic collision is being investigated by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office per the county Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol.

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at about 9:19 PM, deputy sheriffs conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Willow Avenue and E. 18th Street in Antioch. The vehicle did not yield, leading the deputies on a pursuit. Once on southbound Highway 160, the suspect vehicle crossed over the center median and drove south in the northbound lanes. The deputies immediately terminated the pursuit and lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time after the pursuit was terminated, the California Highway Patrol received calls about a collision on the Highway 4 overpass onto Highway 160. It was later determined the suspect vehicle was involved in the collision. The suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He is identified as 50-year-old Victor A. Vigil of Pittsburg. Three others were taken to local hospitals.

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

CHP Says Crash was Head-On, Led to More Crashes, Driver of Car Two from Subsequent Collisions Taken to Hospital

UPDATE: Later, CHP – Contra Costa offered more details about the incident.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, at approximately 9:23 p.m., officers assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Contra Costa Area office responded to a four-vehicle, head-on crash that occurred on the transition ramp from eastbound SR-4 to northbound SR-160.

As officers responded to the crash, they were advised that the wrong-way vehicle had previously been involved in a pursuit with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office; however, the pursuit had been discontinued prior to the crash.

Our preliminary investigation indicates a Lexus sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of SR-160 before continuing wrong-way onto the transition ramp from eastbound SR-4 to northbound SR-160. While traveling the wrong way on the transition ramp, the Lexus crashed head-on with a Mercedes SUV, resulting in major damage to both vehicles. This crash led to a series of crashes involving two additional vehicle: a solo occupied Honda Civic and a Dodge Caliber occupied by driver and passenger. Both occupants of the Dodge were transported to a local hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The driver of the Mercedes sustained major injuries and was airlifted from the scene to a local hospital for medical treatment. The wrong-way driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The transition ramp from eastbound SR-4 to northbound SR-160 was closed following the crash and reopened at approximately 6:24 a.m. the next morning.

This crash remains under investigation. If anyone witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it, please contact the Contra Costa Area office in Martinez at (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

According to localcrimenews.com, Vigil had five previous arrests by Walnut Creek, Pittsburg and Vacaville Police and the Contra Costa Sheriff dating back to 2013 for drug crimes.