Contra Costa Herald

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

Brentwood car stop leads to arrest of Antioch man with lots of keys

By Leave a Comment

Keys recovered inside suspect’s car on May 5, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

While on felony probation for vehicle theft; has history of arrests dating to 2014 including 5 times this year

By Brentwood Police Department

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, around 4:00 PM, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Lone Tree Way and Canada Valley Road, when he saw a car without a rear license plate. The officer did a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as 35-year-old Robert Edward Garcia of Antioch (born 6/27/88).

Garcia told the officer he did not have a driver’s license and he was also on felony probation for vehicle theft.

After searching Garcia’s car, the officer found several sets of keys belonging to different makes of cars, along with shaved keys, numerous tools, blades, cutting instruments, a car jack, a flipper device (which can be used to hack digital devices) and other tools.

Garcia was placed under arrest for being in possession of burglary tools, probation violation, as well as bringing drugs into the County jail.

This incident exemplifies the proactive efforts of our officers in detecting and addressing criminal behavior, contributing to the maintenance of public safety and the prevention of further criminal activity in the community.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, 220-pound Garcia is Hispanic and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail for his latest arrest by Oakley PD on May 19, 2024, for possession of stolen property at the Best Western Hotel in Oakley. (See 14:13 PM incident). He is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2024.

According to localcrimenews.com, Garcia has a history of arrests by multiple agencies dating to 2014 including five times this year and three times last year.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Police ask help IDing suspects in May Brentwood beauty store theft

By Leave a Comment

Suspects in Brentwood retail beauty store theft on May 6, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

CAN YOU ID? -Brentwood PD Case # 2402075

On May 6, 2024, the female suspects in these photos entered ULTA at the Streets of Brentwood and stole over $2,000 worth of fragrances and other products.

If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Brentwood Police Department non-emergency line at 925-809-7911.

 

Antioch man arrested for shoplifting in Brentwood

By Leave a Comment

Merchandise recovered on April 30, 2024. Photo: Brentwood PD

While on felony probation for theft; has history of arrests dating to 2018

By Brentwood Police Department

On April 30, 2024 around 8:30PM at night, Brentwood officers were dispatched to Michael’s Arts and Crafts for a report of a known shoplifter who had just stolen approximately $1,400 worth of merchandise and walked out of the store.

When officers arrived, a Brentwood Sergeant saw the suspect in the immediate area, and the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Mathew Davis of Antioch, fled on a bicycle after dumping the stolen merchandise.

As the Sergeant attempted to contact Davis, Davis attempted to flee on his bicycle. Another officer in the area had parked his patrol car and while walking towards Davis, Davis subsequently ran into the parked patrol car while trying to flee on his bicycle.

Davis, who did not sustain any injuries, was safely taken into custody.

Davis, who is on felony probation for theft, also has a court order to stay away from Kohl’s.

Davis was arrested for shoplifting, felony probation violation, court order violation and other related charges.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2018 by multiple agencies for crimes including threats of violence, drug possession, drawing or exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner, resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and trespassing.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Vallejo man arrested for major injury hit and run collision in Walnut Creek Sunday

By Leave a Comment

Charges filed against suspected driver; two victims remain hospitalized

By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

A man is in custody today following an accident in Walnut Creek. Around 5:15 AM on Sunday, June 2, 2024, Walnut Creek Police Department received a call of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the area of Locust Street near Cole Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they located the two people who had been struck by an SUV and sustained major injuries. They were transported to the hospital, where they are listed in critical condition.

The suspect vehicle involved in this collision was located by an officer, and the driver, Jose Chavez, 33 years old of Vallejo, was arrested. The regular Sunday Farmer’s Market held on Locust Street was closed for the day while the investigation continued, and residents were asked to avoid the area of Locust Street between Giammona Drive and Lacassie Avenue.

Case #: 24-15390

Charges:  CVC 23153(A)- DUI Alcohol: Causing serious bodily Injury- 2 counts

CVC 20001(A)- Hit and Run causing serious bodily injury or death- 2 counts

PC 12022.7(b)- Enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury or death during the Commission of a felony – 2 counts

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Walnut Creek Police presented the case from Sunday’s hit-and-run accident to the District Attorney’s office, and the DA filed significant charges against a 33-year-old man from Vallejo, Jose Chavez. Chavez is charged with two counts each of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, hit and run causing serious bodily injury or death, and an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury or death during the commission of a felony. Chavez remains in the Contra Costa County Jail with bail set at $260,000.

The charges stem from an incident on Sunday, June 2, prior to the regular opening of the Farmers Market in downtown Walnut Creek. Around 5:15 that morning, Walnut Creek Police received a call of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the area of Locust Street near Cole Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they located the two people who had been struck by an SUV and sustained major injuries. They were transported to the hospital, where they remain in critical condition.

This case continues to be under investigation, and the names of the victims are not being released at this time.

If you or someone you know has information about this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

Backed by the badge: Ledo announces endorsements of law enforcement in Assembly race

By Leave a Comment

Source: Ledo for Assembly campaign

Sonia Ledo proudly announced today she is the only State Assembly candidate in District 15 who is dorsed by four local police associations and the Deputy District Attorneys Association in Contra Costa County.

Ledo secured endorsements from the Walnut Creek Police Association, Concord Police Association, Martinez Police Officers Association and BART Police Officers’ Association. The Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorneys Association also endorsed the Assembly candidate for her commitment to address low-level crime and keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

“As representatives of the Martinez Police Officers Association, we wholeheartedly endorse Sonia Ledo for the California State Assembly seat in District 15,” said Martinez POA Board President Sean Angoco. “Sonia Ledo’s unwavering support for law enforcement is unparalleled. Sonia’s commitment to addressing urgent issues such as public safety is deeply rooted in her understanding of the critical role law enforcement plays in safeguarding our communities.

We believe Sonia Ledo’s unwavering support for law enforcement, coupled with her fairness, transparency, and strong work ethic, make her the ideal candidate to represent us in the State Assembly. We urge you to join us in supporting Sonia Ledo on November 5th for a safer and brighter future for California.”

Concord Police Association Board President Paul Van Diver referred to Ledo as “a true champion for public safety and community well-being”. He believes Ledo is “an obvious and compelling choice for endorsement because her consistent dedication to upholding important values only solidifies her as an exceptional candidate.”

Shane Reiss, President of BART Police Officers’ Association said, “BART POA endorses Sonia Ledo because she’s the only candidate in this race that opposes Prop. 47 and she believes in enforcing laws and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets.”

“I am honored to have earned the endorsements of so many local law enforcement organizations within Assembly District 15”, Ledo said. “It says they believe in me to go to work on day one in Sacramento and address the failed policies of the last decade. Such failed state policies have made us less safe in our communities while shopping, enjoying public spaces, and even in our own homes. We need new direction in Sacramento and that’s what I will bring”, Ledo said.

Her plan for improving public safety is a comprehensive four-part approach that includes a focus on police, prosecutors, judges and rehabilitation.

Ledo will work for:

  • Better recruitment, training and technology programs for our police departments;
  • Tougher mandates for prosecution of criminals by our district attorneys;
  • Stricter sentencing guidelines for our judges; and
  • Mandated rehabilitation and transition services for first-time offenders and those who have served their time.

For more information, contact Sonia Ledo at info@SoniaLedo.com call 925-567-9988 or visit SoniaLedo.com.

Pittsburg 18-year-old shot, killed in Antioch Monday evening

By Leave a Comment

Police seek suspect

By Lt. D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On June 3, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM, Antioch police officers responded to the 1100 block of Macaulay Street on the report of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they located a male near the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately administered first-aid to the male, and he was ultimately transported to a local area hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced deceased. The male was later identified as 18-year-old Henry Granado II of Pittsburg.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Adam Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email mailto:aduffy@antiochca.gov.

Coroner’s Inquest Jury determines 2023 deaths of woman, one of her twin sons during Hercules Police chase was “at the hands of another”

By Leave a Comment

Ryniqueka Dowell, Jeffrey, Jamari & Jamani Humble. (Source: GoFundMe) and suspect Ralph White, III. Source: KTVU

Vallejo man faces charges for murder, five other felonies for fatal hit-and-run crash in stolen car

GoFundMe account for surviving son and his father still receiving donations

By Allen D. Payton

In a press release from Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Office of the Contra Costa Sheriff-Coroner on Friday, May 31, 2024, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury had reached a finding in the March 23, 2023 death of 31-year-old Ryniqueka Dowell and March 27, 2023 death of 6-year-old Jamari Humble. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

As previously reported, on March 23, 2023, at about 7:27 pm, the Hercules Police Department received information from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office regarding a stolen 2021 Mazda SUV, possibly heading toward the City of Hercules on eastbound I-80. A Hercules Police Officer saw the Mazda exit I-80 eastbound onto northbound Willow Avenue. As the Officer caught up to the Mazda, the driver immediately began to accelerate. The Officer initiated a short pursuit of the SUV, before it collided into a 2017 Nissan passenger vehicle in the area of Parker Avenue and 4th Street in the City of Rodeo. The driver of the Mazda immediately got out of the vehicle and ran northbound onto Parker Ave. A perimeter was established, and the suspect was found, at a nearby liquor store. He was placed under arrest, and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The driver of the Nissan passenger vehicle was a 31-year-old, mother of twin boys, age six, later identified as Dowell.

On March 28, 2023, the Contra Costa DA’s office filed murder charges as part of a six-count felony complaint against then-20-year-old Ralph Ellsworth White, III of Vallejo (born Feb. 11, 2003).

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, 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, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

According to a GoFundMe account set up to support the surviving twin son, Jamani Humble, and his father, Jeffrey, Jamani “suffered a broken leg along with other injuries” and Jamari was initially in the hospital “in critical condition…without any brain activity” but later succumbed to his injuries. As of Saturday, June 1, 2024, $38,395 had been raised toward the $50,000 goal.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office the six-foot, 190-pound White is being held on no bail in the Martinez Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2024.

 

Three arrested in February love-triangle stabbing death of Pleasant Hill parks employee

By Leave a Comment

TOP: Jazmin Ruiz (left), Vanessa Vera-Aguilar (center), and Pablo Gutierrez-Morales (right) are accused in the fatal stabbing of their coworker. (Booking photos: Pleasant Hill PD) BOTTOM: Arrest of Ruiz. (Photo: Pleasant Hill PD). Santiago Jacobo. Source: GoFundMe

Concord man, being held on immigration warrant, 2 Antioch women – one, an ex-girlfriend – suspected of killing Pittsburg resident Santiago Jacobo; all former co-workers

GoFundMe account for victim’s family surpasses goal

By Captain Matt Kristic, Pleasant Hill Police Department

Crime/Incident: Homicide – Penal Code 187

Date/Time Reported: February 10, 2024

Location: Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

Victim: Santiago Jacobo, 37-year-old resident of Pittsburg, CA

Suspects: Suspect #1 Pablo Gutierrez-Morales, 31-year-old resident of Concord, CA (In-custody)

Suspect #2 Vanessa Vera-Aguilar, 24-year-old resident of Antioch, CA (In-custody)

Suspect #3 Jazmin Ruiz, 25-year-old resident of Antioch, CA (In-custody)

Case Number: 24-411

————————–

On Friday, May 31, 2024, Pleasant Hill Police Investigators arrested three people in connection with the February 10, 2024, stabbing death of park employee Santiago Jacobo of Pittsburg.

Pablo Jose Gutierrez-Morales, 31 of Concord; Vanessa Vera-Aguilar, 24 of Antioch and Jazmin Ruiz, 25 of Antioch have been booked into the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez under the charges of Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder.

During a three month-long investigation, Pleasant Hill Police detectives obtained evidence indicating the victim and suspects knew each other as they all worked together at The Watermark at San Ramon, an assisted living facility.

The evidence shows that the arrested suspects planned, coordinated, and carried out the attack on Jacobo on the night of February 10, 2024, after Jacobo had finished his shift working as a custodian at Pleasant Hill Park. (See related article)

Detectives determined that prior to Jacobo’s murder, he had been in a relationship with suspect Vera-Aguilar while another suspect, Gutierrez-Morales, was pursuing a new relationship with her.

Police detectives are asking anyone with information regarding Jacobo’s death and the involved suspects to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

Our thoughts and condolences remain with the Jacobo family.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department would like to thank the San Ramon Police Department for their assistance. We would also like to thank the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District for their ongoing assistance throughout this homicide investigation.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, 10-inch tall, 180-pound Gutierrez-Morales (born 5/8/1993) is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility without bail and his arrest type is listed as Immigration. The five-foot tall, 105-pound Ruiz is being held in the West County Detention Facility on a no bail Ramey Warrant. No information about Vera-Aguilar was available in an online search from the Contra Contra Sheriff’s Office. However, according to her Facebook page, she attended Deer Valley High School and left in 2018. Efforts to reach Vera-Aguilar and Captain Kristic for additional details were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

UPDATE: When asked to explain why Vera-Aguilar is not listed as in custody, Captain Kristic later said, “All three are in custody being held on no-bail. Vera-Aguilar is also being held in the West County Detention Center. The Aquarius system the Sheriff’s Office uses was having trouble updating, today.”

Regarding Gutierrez-Morales’ arrest being listed as Immigration, he said, “An external document was sent to MDF from ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). But all three suspects were booked on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.”

“The suspects’ photos are being released due to the violent felonies associated with this case,” Kristic added.

A GoFundMe account for Jacobo, set up by his sister-in-law Maria Jacobo on behalf of his wife, Alejandra Jacobo, has raised $42,109 as of Saturday, June 1st, surpassing the goal of $35,000. According to the account, “He leaves behind a wife and 2 kids, son Santiago and daughter Mikaela. It feels so unreal how his life was taken in such a violent and cowardly way. Santiago was a kind hardworking man and will be missed by many loved ones.” The donations are intended “to cover funeral costs or any expenses Alejandra and her kids may have during this hard time.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

El Sobrante man charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $1.1 million in COVID-relief funds

By Leave a Comment

Lane R Jenkins. Source: LinkedIn

Defendant allegedly misused PPP funds for his real estate investment business, EIDL for 10 employees that didn’t exist of a cleaning business that also didn’t exist to pay off personal debts, enrich himself in 2020, 2021

If convicted could face 20 years in prison on each of 3 counts of wire fraud and 5 years for submitting false writings to a government agency

By U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Contra Costa County man with wire fraud and other crimes relating to a scheme in which he fraudulently obtained more than $1.1 million in government-backed COVID-19 relief funds, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Robert K. Tripp; and Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Western Region.

According to the indictment filed this week, Lane Jenkins, 53, of El Sobrante, California, was president of a company called A & L Investments LLC (A&L), which was founded in 2016, headquartered in El Sobrante, and purported to purchase, renovate, and sell distressed properties. The indictment alleges that, in February 2021 and April 2021, Jenkins applied for and received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling more than $1 million on the basis of false and fraudulent representations that A&L had dozens of employees and hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly payroll expenses. In fact, A&L had zero employees and no monthly payroll. In December 2021, Jenkins applied for and received forgiveness of the first of those two loans, falsely certifying he had used the PPP funds to make payroll for A&L’s nonexistent employees. In fact, Jenkins had used the money for personal expenses and to pay off personal debts.

The indictment also states that, in July 2020, Jenkins applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of nearly $95,000 for a maid and cleaning service he said he operated as a sole proprietor. The application falsely stated that Jenkins had 10 employees and gross revenues of $241,353. In fact, he had no employees and no revenues. Rather than use the EIDL funds he received on approved business expenses, Jenkins used that money to enrich himself.

The PPP was administered by the SBA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide billions of dollars in emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other qualified business expenses. PPP funds were disbursed by SBA-approved third-party lenders.

The EIDL program is also administered by the SBA. It provides low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. As relevant here, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to make EIDL loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EIDL funds are disbursed directly by the SBA.

The Indictment charges three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of submitting false writings to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3).

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Jenkins faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three counts of wire fraud and a maximum statutory sentence of 5 years in prison on the fourth count, which charges him with submitting false writings to a government agency. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Jenkins has not yet appeared in court to face the charges against him.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chambers is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and SBA-OIG.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Jenkins has operated his business since Nov. 2015 but according to corporationwiki.com, he formed the business in May 2016 which has three other associated individuals and is located in Pinole. In addition, since 2009 Jenkins has been employed as a Key Accounts Sales Manager for Southern Wine & Spirits.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Bay Area serial bank robber from Antioch sentenced to more than five years in prison

By Leave a Comment

Brandon Elder arrested for a Brentwood bank robbery on Jan. 26, 2022. (Photo: Brentwood PD) and his Facebook photo posted on Oct. 3, 2021.

Defendant robbed a bank only 19 days after release from custody for previous bank robbery

Brandon Elder has history of arrests dating to 2016 including 5 times in 2021 and 3 times in 2022

By U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – Brandon John Elder was sentenced to 63 months in prison for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. James Donato, United States District Judge.

Elder, 29 (born 2/14/1995), of Antioch, pleaded guilty to the charge on December 14, 2023. According to court filings, Elder walked into a bank in the Marina District of San Francisco on September 20, 2022, wearing a black hoodie, black facemask, and blue gloves. He approached the teller window, stated “this is a robbery,” and demanded “50s” and “100s.” The teller handed over $10,000 in cash to Elder, who ran out of the bank and back to his getaway car in a nearby parking garage. Elder was arrested two days later in Pleasant Hill, Calif., while shoplifting a PlayStation from a Target with $7,867 cash in his pocket. A grand jury indicted Elder on November 1, 2022, charging him with one count of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). Elder pleaded guilty to the charge without a written plea agreement.

Elder committed this bank robbery while still on post-release community supervision. He had been released from state custody only 19 days earlier after serving a custodial sentence related to the robbery of a bank he committed on January 26, 2022, in Brentwood, Calif. In addition, Elder already had been convicted of 11 other thefts in state court, including a violent incident during which he slashed a loss prevention officer with a box cutter. (See related article)

“Repeat offenders like Brandon Elder should not be allowed to continue terrorizing the community,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Enough is enough. This Office will ensure that criminals like Mr. Elder face serious repercussions for their actions.”

“Elder used threats and intimidation to terrorize the employees of the bank he robbed,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “His complete disregard for the law demanded justice, and justice he received with this sentence. The FBI will not waver when it comes to preserving the peace of our community by taking dangerous criminals off the streets.”

In addition to sentencing Elder to prison, Judge Donato ordered the defendant to serve a year of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lakisha Holliman. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

According to localcrimenews.com, Elder was also arrested five times in 2021 and three times in 2022 by multiple agencies including Vallejo PD, Dublin PD, San Francisco PD, Antioch PD, Pleasant Hill PD and BART Police for crimes including driving with a suspended license, drug possession including for sale, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, evading an officer including wanton disregard for safety, resisting arrest, failure to appear, smoking on BART and burglary. (See related article)

In addition, Elder was also arrested twice in 2016, first on Feb. 1st at 4:30 p.m. by Antioch Police on an outstanding felony warrant then again on August 19, 2016 by Antioch Police and at that time was a known gang member, who had two felony warrants for his arrest. Several APD officers went to Elder’s residence in the 200 block of Rossi Avenue where he was contacted in his bedroom. Elder was arrested and sent to county jail.

According to his Facebook page, Elder is from Oakland, lives in Antioch and is single, went to John Swet High School in Crockett and works at Safeway. His last post was on Nov. 8, 2021, while at the DMV in San Francisco.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, seven-inch tall, 135-pound Elder, who is white and has green eyes and brown hair, is being held in the Santa Rita Jail on no bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.