Contra Costa Herald

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

16-year-old sentenced to six years for 2023 stabbing of Brentwood cop

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CASE UPDATE

By Brentwood Police Department

You may recall that on October 11, 2023, Brentwood officers responded to the Brentwood City Park for a juvenile armed with a kitchen knife. As officers arrived on scene, they contacted the 16-year-old juvenile.  After numerous attempts to de-escalate the situation, the juvenile stabbed a Brentwood officer who was attempting to take the juvenile into custody.

The officer, who sustained life-threatening injuries, was transported to a local hospital we were relieved and grateful the officer survived. (See related article)

The juvenile, who cannot be named due to his age, was arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall and has been in custody ever since.

On July 3, 2024, members of the Brentwood Police Department and the victim (officer) attended the hearing for this case.  The case was adjudicated and resulted in the juvenile being sentenced to a maximum six-year sentence which was the maximum sentence allowed by law.

This incident had a profound impact on not only our officer and his family, but also on the Department and our community. The involved officer is still recovering from his injuries but wishes to express his sincere appreciation to the community for your support.

Oakland man arrested in Hercules in stolen car from Antioch

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The suspect was found with stolen credit cards and driver’s license, a fraudulent check, mailbox keys and a To-Do list inside a stolen car from Antioch on Monday, July 8, 2024. Photos: Hercules PD

Found with stolen credit cards & driver’s license, fraudulent check, To-Do list

By Hercules Police Department

Halfway through the year—how are those New Year’s resolutions holding up? This guy’s definitely been busy…

An officer spotted a Honda Civic with no front plate and a temporary rear plate backing into a Safeway parking spot. The driver quickly exited and walked inside. A records check on the plate and VIN revealed it was a stolen vehicle out of Antioch. Officers apprehended the driver inside Safeway without incident.

A search of the driver (male out of Oakland) was conducted and revealed several stolen credit cards, a stolen driver’s license, mailbox keys, a fraudulent check, and a to-do list in his pocket: 1. Laundry 2. Talk to kids 3. Get some money 4. “Boost.”

Guess he’s keeping up with his goals… sort of.

 

CHP makes over 1,600 arrests during Independence Day weekend

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Graphic: CHP

Over 1,300 DUI-related during Maximum Enforcement Period

By Synthia Ramirez, CHP Media Relations

During the Independence Day weekend, the California Highway Patrol conducted a Maximum Enforcement Period to ensure the safety of all Californians. The statewide statistics from this effort are as follows:

  • Over 1,600 arrests, with over 1,300 being DUI-related
  • Nearly 30,000 citations issued, including over 17,000 for excessive speed
  • Over 600 citations for drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour
  • Nearly 1,000 seatbelt violations cited
  • Over 1,900 distracted driving citations issued

Great job to all CHP areas that worked tirelessly to keep California safe this Independence Day weekend. Even when it’s not a Maximum Enforcement Period, let’s continue to work together to make responsible choices: drive sober, avoid distractions, follow speed limits, and always buckle up. The primary mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

CHP announces first arrest using state-of-the-art smart Flock cameras in Bay Area

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The Flock Safety camera system technology was used to ID the shooting suspect’s vehicle. He was stopped, arrested and his gun, ammunition and drugs were confiscated. Photos (left & center) by Flock Safety, (right) by CHP

Bay Bridge road-rage shooting suspect from San Pablo identified, arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies

6’7″ felon charged with attempted murder, multiple gun crimes

By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, CHP Office of Media Relations

A freeway shooting suspect is in custody and a firearm has been recovered after a road rage incident on the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) early Monday morning, July 1, 2024. The suspect was identified through one of the newly installed high-tech “Flock” cameras, which provide law enforcement with real-time information and alerts to identify and locate vehicles associated with criminal activity. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the purchase of the cameras as part of the state’s ongoing public safety investments and work in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.

“Through new state-of-the-art technology and the deployment of officers, California is doubling down in our efforts to keep our communities safe. I thank the California Highway Patrol and allied agencies for their persistent work to secure accountability in this case and help ensure that Californians are safe and secure,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The CHP is excited to have this new technology located on freeways in the Bay Area,” said Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our investigators will utilize this technology to identify and apprehend those who engage in criminal activity and put California’s motorists at risk.”

On Monday, July 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s San Francisco Area office were dispatched to a call of a freeway shooting on westbound Interstate-80, just west of the Treasure Island on-ramp. Officers were advised, the victim in the incident was not struck by the bullet; however, she received lacerations from flying glass inside the vehicle. The victim was able to safely exit the freeway, into the city of San Francisco, where he was met by officers and paramedics.

Detectives from the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to the scene and spoke with the victim, who mentioned the shooting took place following a merging conflict on the Treasure Island on ramp. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained, allowing detectives to begin a review of Flock camera data. Detectives quickly identified the suspect vehicle and obtained a license plate number, which allowed them to issue a “Be on the lookout” (BOLO) broadcast to Bay Area law enforcement agencies.

At approximately 10:20 a.m., Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle traveling on 7th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Richmond and conducted an enforcement stop. The driver, 42-year-old Adrian Martinez Emerson of San Pablo, Calif., was detained and turned over to SIU detectives for questioning. A search of Emerson’s 2016 Honda Accord resulted in the recovery of a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting.

Emerson was subsequently booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, seven-inch, 170-pound Emerson is Black and was previously arrested by Richmond Police in 2014 on felony parole violation while he was an Antioch resident. No additional information could be located from an online search about Emerson’s previous conviction.

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, he is being held on no bail and is also include discharge of a firearm at an inhabited enclosure or vehicle, possession of firearm with prior conviction and by a felon, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, possession of ammunition, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm. His court date has not yet been set.

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

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Zero tolerance on fireworks violations in Brentwood

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How to report illegal fireworks

By Lt. Mike Aguiar, Brentwood Police Department

BRENTWOOD, CA – As we approach the 4th of July, the Brentwood Police Department wants to remind its residents about the dangers associated with fireworks and the use of firearms when celebrating our country’s Independence Day.

Contra Costa County (and City) is a “fireworks-free-zone”; therefore, the possession or use of fireworks of all types and sizes (including Safe and Sane fireworks) are banned in the county and City of Brentwood (County Ordinance 44-2.002 and Brentwood Municipal Code 8.48.020). Possession of dangerous fireworks that leave the ground or explode may constitute a felony and could result in fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment.

Additionally, the firing of firearms into the air is against the law. Bullets fired into the air return at some point and descend at approximately 300 to 400 feet per second, which poses a high danger because it can penetrate roofs and cause damage to property and unwary residents. Statistics show that fireworks and celebratory gunfire seriously injure thousands of people annually. The Brentwood Police Department will be taking a zero tolerance approach when dealing with these violations.

It’s important to also keep in mind dry conditions create some additional safety concerns. High weeds and water-stricken lawns are extremely vulnerable to stray embers or sparks caused by fireworks. Please avoid the temptation of putting yourself and your neighbors at risk.

On July 4th, the Police Department will be assigning additional officers to patrol residential neighborhoods and proactively enforce fireworks violations. Instead of setting off fireworks, the Police Department encourages people to consider free July 4th fireworks displays in nearby cities. For more information and locations visit: https://sf.funcheap.com/category/event/event-types/holidays/4th-of-july/

Reporting Illegal Fireworks

Holidays like the 4th of July result in a significant, higher caller volume each year. Should you need to contact Police for a firework related call please use appropriate numbers and be patient with call takers.

  • Injuries or fire related calls dial 9-1-1
  • Knowledge of exact location of where fireworks are being set off in real time, call 925-809-7911

Please be prepared to answer questions from the call-taker such as the location of where the incident is occurring and if anyone is injured.

Please do not report noise complaints unless you can provide the exact location of the fireworks being set off. Additionally, please do not report incidents on social media as the sites are not monitored regularly.

If you witness a violation, please contact our 24-hour Dispatch Center at 925-809-7911.

The City of Brentwood wishes everyone a fun and safe 4th of July holiday!

Richmond, Hayward men charged for cutting 911 service in parts of West Contra Costa

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Arraignment scheduled for Thursday afternoon

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges on June 25th against two men who cut a utility line that severed 911 service for residents in Pinole, Hercules, and San Pablo.

31-year-old Jesus Francisco Arias-Ayala of Hayward and 49-year-old Daniel Antonio Mena-Diaz of Richmond were arrested by Pinole Police on June 22nd. On that evening, around 7:15 pm, officers responded to reports of a 911 system outage. They traced the issue to a bridge near the Pinole-Hercules city line on San Pablo Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Arias-Ayala and Mena-Diaz under the bridge.

After a brief chase, both suspects were apprehended, arrested, and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

After reviewing the case, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged Arias-Ayala with a felony for cutting utility line [PC 591], felony vandalism [PC 594(a)], a misdemeanor for resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer [PC 148(a)(1)], and a misdemeanor for possession of burglar’s tools [PC 466].

Mena-Diaz’s two felony charges are the same as Arias-Ayala, as is one misdemeanor charge of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer.

Both men are scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 pm on Thursday, June 27th in Martinez.

Case No. 02-24-00829 | The People of the State of California v. Arias-Ayala, Jesus Francisco

Case No. 02-24-00830 | The People of the State of California v. Mena Diaz, Daniel Antonio

Richmond, Hayward men arrested for cutting 911 service in West Contra Costa

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Phone lines down twice in June due to theft of copper cables affecting Pinole, Hercules and San Pablo Police, some city departments

Calls continue to be answered by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

Third arrest for Daniel Mena-Diaz this year; third suspect still at large

By Commander Matt Avery, Pinole Police Department

At approximately 7:20 PM on Saturday, June 22nd, our Communications Center was alerted to a disruption in our 911 and business lines. Our dedicated communications staff promptly reached out to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, swiftly rerouting our 911 calls to their communications center. Simultaneously, our patrol units were dispatched to the area where the previous copper cable theft occurred on June 4th, which led to the disabling of our 911 and business lines. Upon arrival, three male subjects, in defiance of officers’ orders, fled into an open field toward a residential area.

Our officers established a perimeter with the assistance of Hercules officers. Recognizing the need for additional resources, they requested the aid of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and a canine unit. This joint effort led to the successful apprehension of two suspects, with the third remaining at large. A thorough search of the scene revealed tools used for cutting copper cables, and one of the suspects was found in possession of such tools upon arrest.

The suspects are Jesus Arias-Ayala, a 31-year-old male out of Hayward, and Daniel Mena-Diaz, a 49-year-old male out of Richmond. Officers questioned both and they were later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges:

That same day, a message to the public was posted on the Pinole PD’s Facebook page reading, “Our phone lines are still down. AT&T is working on restoring service but we do not have an estimated time.

In the interim:

  • Emergencies: call 911 and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office will transfer the call to Pinole Dispatch for police emergencies
  • Non-emergencies: call 510-724-1111 or 510-900-4246 to be connected to Pinole Dispatch
  • Records: call 510-914-0375 or email pdrecords@ci.pinole.ca.us

Additionally, many lines are down throughout the other City departments. Please visit: www.ci.pinole.ca.us for email contact information.”

Then, a week later on June 11th, a message was posted on the department’s Facebook, “911 PHONE LINE HAS BEEN RESTORED

911 service has been restored to the Pinole Dispatch Center. 911 calls in the cities of Pinole, Hercules, and San Pablo are being answered by our dispatchers.

The 911 and business phone outage was the result of two incidents where multiple phone cables were cut and stolen for their copper content. City staff has been working with AT&T and CalOES since the thefts to restore 911 service as well as establish temporary phone lines. City staff will continue to work with AT&T and third-party vendors to restore full telephone to all City departments.

Some Pinole and Hercules community members with traditional landline service also remain affected by the outage.”

Then in a post on the Pinole PD’s Facebook page on Saturday, June 22, the public was informed, “Our 911 and non-emergency lines are down again. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office is answering 911 calls and transferring the calls to our Dispatch Center, which is operating on a secondary phone system.
For Emergencies

-Call 911: will be answered by CCCSO and forwarded to our Dispatch Center

-Text 911: will be answered by our Dispatch Center.”

Then, in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning, June 25, the public was informed by Pinole PD, “Our phone lines remain down. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office is answering 911 calls and transferring the calls to our Dispatch Center, which continues to operate on a secondary phone system. We have restored our 510-724-1111 line but our main business line, 510-724-8950, remains down.” Alternate contact information was also provided.

911 calls for Pinole, Hercules and San Pablo continue to be answered by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and transferred to our Communication Center.

  • For emergencies, call or text 911 (text-to-911 is direct to the Pinole Communication Center)
  • For non-emergencies, call 510-724-1111 or 510-900-4246
  • For Pinole Records: call 510-588-1226
  • Please visit https://tinyurl.com/3apnxxen for other Police Department contact information

Several business lines for other City departments are also down. For contact information for other City departments, please visit www.pinole.gov/contact/contact_us.

The incident is still under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Pinole Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 510-724-111.

According to localcrimenews.com, this was the third arrest for Mena-Diaz this year, including on March 4th for warrants or holds and on May 8th for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was also arrested in March 2023 for grand theft of lost property, obstructing or resisting an executive officer, and in November 2020 for trespassing.

According to localcrimenews.com, Arias-Ayala was also arrested in July 2023 by Emeryville PD for petty theft.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Oakley man, another arrested following police chase from Brentwood to Antioch

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Vehicles from Brentwood, Oakley and Antioch Police Departments used during the chase and arrest of the suspect behind the Antioch Target store on Lone Tree Way in Antioch on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Source: Brentwood PD

Multi-agency effort; Julian Santana Ramirez has history of arrests dating to 2015

By Brentwood Police Department

THANK YOU ANTIOCH PD AND OAKLEY PD

You may have seen a lot of police presence behind Target on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Well, this is why….

Around 4:30 PM, a Brentwood Officer was patrolling the area of Lone Tree Way when he saw a person he recognized as being a suspect in a theft that occurred at Famous Footwear in Brentwood. Based on prior contacts he identified 27-year-old Julian Santana Ramirez of Oakley (born 8/6/96), as the suspect. Ramirez, who is on Post Release Supervision (PRCS) in Contra Costa County, also had a felony warrant.

When the officer attempted to contact Ramirez, he fled on foot in the immediate area behind Target. Fortunately, our friends from Antioch PD and Oakley PD were there to assist us in the search.

Luckily, for us, Antioch Officer Cruz Guzman located Ramirez and a second foot chase ensued. Officer Cruz Guzman ran across Highway 4 and subsequently took Ramirez into custody.

Ramirez was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking. A second person, related to the incident was also taken into custody for outstanding warrants.

A big thank you to Antioch PD and Oakley PD for assisting us in this incident. Crime knows no borders and we always appreciate the support and assistance from our neighboring agencies.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 290-pound Ramirez is being held on no bail at the West County Detention Facility on charges of resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, violating his probation and violating the conditions of post release community supervision.

According to localcrimenews.com, this is his third arrest this year, including in January for drug possession and giving false information to a peace officer and in April for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Ramirez’s history of arrests dates back to 2015 by Oakley PD, Antioch PD and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for crimes including robbery, threats of violence, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, evading a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, purchase, possession, use of tear gas and court jurisdiction of child for parental neglect.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Olivehurst woman, accountant for Richmond business, pleads guilty to embezzling over $900K

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Agrees to pay restitution, 10-year prison sentence reduced to 3 years

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea with Angela Fae Brown for offenses related to identity theft, money laundering, grand theft, tax evasion and false impersonation.

Brown, a 53-year-old (born 9/22/1970) resident of Olivehurst, CA in Yuba County, was charged in April 2024 on a six-count felony complaint with a special allegation of aggravated white-collar crime. While working as an accountant, Brown embezzled over $900,000 from her employer, a paver company in Richmond. The illegal financial scheme occurred between September 2017 and November 2022, wherein Brown used her accounting skills to exploit financial vulnerabilities in the company to enrich herself. (See related article)

On June 14th, Ms. Brown accepted a negotiated disposition where she pled guilty to an amended 12-count complaint. To fulfill the terms of the plea, the court will suspend her 10-year prison term for three years and place her on formal probation so she can seek and maintain employment to pay restitution. Moreover, assets Brown accumulated during the period she was embezzling and stealing from her employer will be liquidated. The funds from the sale of those assets will be applied to restitution payments. $907,087.00 will go to the victim, and $61,860.10 to the Franchise Tax Board of California. Any violations of the terms of the plea agreement mean that Ms. Brown could be subject to the state prison system to serve the remainder of her sentence.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “When seeking justice for victims of white-collar crimes, it’s important to find effective ways to make a victim’s financial loss whole again. This agreement holds the defendant accountable for the offenses and is structured for repayment of stolen funds.”

Case No. 02-24-00513 | The People of the State of California v. Brown, Angela Fae

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 190-pound Brown is Black, was arrested by Richmond PD, is being held on no bail at a Custody Alternative Facility and scheduled to be released on Oct. 15, 2024.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

2023 Annual Report: Serious crime in Lafayette remains low

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Report cover and 2023 Lafayette Police Department staff. Photo: Lafayette PD

“Overall, crime remains low in Lafayette, a testament to the collective efforts of our community. However, there are still categories of crimes that the Police Department, in partnership with our residents, continues to strive to reduce.” – Chief Benjamin Alldritt

By Lafayette Police Department

The most recent crime report for 2023 from the Lafayette Police Department has been presented to the Lafayette City Council. The report shows that the rate of violent crime in Lafayette remains low, with only 13 reported Part 1 violent crimes in 2023. This equals 51.2 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 and the California average of 494.6 violent crimes per 100,000 in 2022.

“Overall, crime remains low in Lafayette, a testament to the collective efforts of our community. However, there are still categories of crimes that the Police Department, in partnership with our residents, continues to strive to reduce,” said Lafayette Police Chief Benjamin Alldritt.

In 2023, the Lafayette Police received 12,007 calls for service, filed 1,168 police reports, made 302 arrests, and issued 1,022 traffic citations.

Lafayette Police Department Total Annual Calls for Service 2014-23. Source: Lafayette PD

Part I Crimes include two categories: Crimes against Persons and property crimes.  Crimes against Persons are murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, and human trafficking.  Property Crimes are burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

“Crimes against Persons are our top priority because they have the most significant impact on the victim. The Lafayette Police Department is committed to dedicating all necessary resources to investigate these crimes and bring the suspects to justice,” said Chief Alldritt.

Overall, Part 1 crimes decreased from 456 in 2013 to 277 in 2023. This represents a 39% decrease in these types of crime over the last decade.

“Proactive policing and an alert community keep crime low in Lafayette,” he continued. “If people see something, they say something. Residents quickly report, respond, and actively watch out for their friends, family, and neighbors. We appreciate that our community members continue to call in and report crimes and remain aware of their surroundings”.

10–Year Comparison of Part 1 Uniform Crime Reporting in Lafayette, CA. Source: Lafayette PD

“The professional staff are force multipliers for the Police Department,” said Chief Alldritt. “They run the administrative office, manage the City’s emergency preparedness activities and fleet maintenance, carry out crime scene investigations, parking enforcement, vacation house checks, emergency traffic control, and other programs such as “Slow Down Lafayette.”

The City of Lafayette takes a multi-departmental approach to reduce accidents in Lafayette by using the “Three E’s” of traffic safety: Enforcement, Engineering, and Education. The Police Traffic Unit meets regularly with the City’s Transportation Planner to identify problem areas where engineering solutions may have a calming effect on traffic, resulting in fewer accidents and less need for enforcement. The Traffic Unit reviews collision rates and locations, along with citizen complaints, when considering areas for enforcement efforts.   

  • Acquired two low-profile radar measurement devices, two temporary speed display signs, two speed display trailers, and two LIDAR devices to assist with speed enforcement.
  • Analyzed over 1.3 million data points on vehicle speeds
  • Reduced the number of speeders by 20%–25% in areas where display signs and traffic enforcement are used. Provided educational materials on crosswalk safety, school bus safety, e-bikes, and various weather and other traffic-related notices.
  • The Lamorinda Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation was updated and mailed out to all Lamorinda residents in 2022.
  • The Police Department encouragesresidents to sign up for the County’s Community Warning System (CWS)
  • The ALERT California wildfire program maintains a network of cameras to detect, alert, and monitor wildfires. Lafayette Police Department Emergency Services Manager John Cornell handled the installation of multiple wildfire cameras throughout Contra Costa County, which included training for multiple local fire and police departments.

Lafayette Police Department Emergency Services Manager John Cornell handled the installation of multiple wildfire cameras and coordinated camera locations and training with other agencies. Source: Lafayette PD

The city also operates an information and emergency radio station, available on AM 1670 or streaming via the city’s app, My Lafayette, for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play – Android Store.

 “I am proud of the men and women who serve the City of Lafayette with pride and dedication,” says Chief Alldritt. “The entire Police Department and our City staff and leaders are focused on providing the highest level of service possible to our residents, businesses, and visitors. From responding to calls for service, to investigations, traffic enforcement, emergency preparedness, and the myriad other things my staff do daily in service of the community.”

You can also download the slide deck of the May 28, 2024, presentation and watch a recording of the presentation to the City Council on May 28, 2024, on the City’s YouTube channel.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.