Contra Costa Herald

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

One man arrested at drug lab in Brentwood, couple also sought

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Max Hayworth and Danielle Kumerow in a Facebook post on May 24, 2022. Source: Kumerow’s Facebook page. (No photo could be located of the suspect arrested)

Maxwell Michael Hayworth, Danielle Kumerow are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, child endangerment.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at about 9:52AM, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on the 800 block of Shasta Daisy Drive in Brentwood.

During the search, they found a DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) manufacturing laboratory. While processing the lab, a team from the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program found a possible explosive compound stored in three containers.

The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the location. Officers suspected the compound was TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), which is a highly volatile explosive compound. It was determined that two of the containers could be moved to another location for detonation, while one needed to be detonated in place. Nearby residents were evacuated.

The three containers were later detonated without incident. One person was arrested: 29-year-old Jonathan Thomas McCarthy (born 2/18/95) of either Oakley or San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an outstanding arrest warrant for parolee at large. The Sheriff’s Office is still looking for two suspects:

-44-year-old Maxwell Michael Hayworth of Brentwood

-42-year-old Danielle Kumerow of Brentwood

Both are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, and child endangerment.

The six-foot, two-inch, 230-pound McCarthy is currently at the West County Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. at an out of county court. According to recentlybooked.com, he was also arrested in Napa County on Sept. 19, 2023 for a probation violation.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hayworth was arrested by the CCC Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 10, 2024, for multiple weapons drug charges. He was arrested again on March 13, 2024, by Martinez Police for drug possession and burglary. But he bonded out of custody the next day.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident or the location of the suspects 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.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad, Brentwood Police Department, FBI, JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force), Con Fire, AMR, and Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

 

 

Richmond Police investigate Wednesday morning homicide

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By Richmond Police Department

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:51 a.m., Richmond Police Dispatch received a call about a disturbance in the 300 block of South 36th Street. The caller reported that a subject had been injured at the location and needed medical assistance. Medical personnel and RPD officers responded to the location where they had located a victim. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to their wounds at the scene.

RPD Homicide Detectives are at the scene actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact RPD Detectives at (510) 233-1214.

3 Contra Costa men among 4 arrested for Tracy jewelry store smash-and-grab robbery

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From Antioch, Bay Point, Richmond; $150K of items stolen in organized retail theft

Antioch man has history of arrests, as does one other suspect from Hayward

By Tracy Police Department

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, at approximately 2:25 p.m., the Tracy Police Department Communications Center received reports of a robbery in progress at Don Roberto Jewelers located inside the West Valley Mall. During the robbery, eight (8) subjects, wearing face masks, entered the store and used hammers to smash the glass displays, proceeding to take approximately $150,000 in jewelry before fleeing the area.

As the subjects associated with the robbery were seen fleeing the area, witnesses reported observing a stolen white BMW SUV occupied by four (4) of the subjects was involved in a solo crash near the east entrance of the mall near Corral Hollow Road, while the other four (4) subjects were able to get away. As the four subjects involved in the crash fled on foot,

Due to the four subjects involved in the crash fleeing on foot, Stockton Police Department Air Support, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist in an area search. During their search, the four subjects, identified as Eric James Anderson (21 years old of Antioch, CA), Trevion Williams (21 years old of Bay Point, CA), Jayden Deonte Barnes (19 years old of Richmond) and Jamary Barnes (23 years old of Hayward, CA) were located within the perimeter set by Tracy PD and assisting agencies.

Investigators assigned to the General Investigations Unit (GIU) responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

All four subjects were arrested for PC 490.4 – Organized Retail Theft, PC 182 – Conspiracy to commit a crime, and PC 211 – Robbery by force or fear, and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 6-foot, 7-inch, 140-pound Anderson, who is Black, has been arrested multiple times since June 2021 by Alameda County, Kern County and San Joaquin County Sheriffs’ Departments, Oakland PD and as recently as Feb. 29, 2024, by Fresno PD including for multiple gun crimes, vehicle robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft and evasion with wanton disregard for safety.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, four-inch, 160-pound Barnes, who is Black, also has a history of arrests dating back to Sept. 2019 by multiple agencies for crimes including street terrorism, possession of a machine gun, grand theft, gang conspiracy, drug possession and first-degree residential robbery.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, contact Detective Kenneth Steele at Kenneth.Steele@TracyPD.com or (209) 831-6660, or Detective Lissette Ortiz at Lissette.Ortiz@TracyPD.com or (209) 831-6569. To make an anonymous tip, contact Tracy Crime Stoppers by calling (209) 831-4847 or by texting “TIPTPD” and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man arrested again, charged with multiple felonies for illegal weapons possession

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Guns seized from Hansen’s home in Richmond during his first arrest announced in February. Photos: CA DOJ

Cache of weapons included machine guns, assault rifles, silencers, homemade explosives

CA Attorney General announced first arrest in Feb., but state DOJ didn’t request prosecution and suspect was released, re-arrested March 17

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

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 21-count felony complaint against a Richmond man for possessing a large cache of illegal weapons, high-capacity magazines, and homemade explosives.

68-year-old Lawrence Robert Hansen (born 7/15/55) of Richmond is in custody after he was arrested on an outstanding warrant on March 17th by Richmond Police. Hansen is also listed on the Armed and Prohibited Persons System which tracks individuals who are barred from owning or possessing firearms.

Between 2022-2023, Hansen made several violent firearm-related threats to medical staff at a Walnut Creek clinic while seeking treatment. Staff members reported those threats to Walnut Creek Police on September 18th, 2023. In a separate incident, Hansen was transported to a hospital in Walnut Creek on September 26th, 2023, for a medical issue. During an examination, a staff member saw that Hansen had a handgun (later determined to be loaded) in his waistband area. The weapon was taken from Hansen and police were informed.

Because of the legal prohibition against Hansen possessing firearms, as well as threats made to medical employees, members from the Contra Costa Anti-Violence Support Effort Task Force, California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms, and Contra Costa County Probation Officers searched Hansen’s residence with a court-ordered warrant in Richmond on January 31, 2024. During the search, agents found 11 machine guns, more than 130 handguns, 37 rifles, 60 assault rifles, 7 shotguns, 3,000 large capacity magazines, several grenades (inert), homemade explosives, incendiary ammunition, and around one million rounds of ammunition.

Hansen was arraigned on March 18th in Martinez. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27th in Department 23 at 8:30 am.

As previously reported, following the Jan. 31 search, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Feb. 15 the arrest of Hansen. Asked why he was out of custody and arrested again on March 17, Asregadoo responded, “Upon receiving a request for prosecution (RFP) from the arresting police agency, a case undergoes review to determine whether to file charges. The RFP should include investigative reports and evidence relevant to the case. In the instance of Lawrence Robert Hansen, the arresting agency, Cal DOJ, did not immediately request prosecution at the time of arrest. Instead, Cal DOJ chose to finalize their investigation before submitting the request for prosecution along with associated reports and evidence to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Hansen is a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190-pound Hispanic man.

Case No. 02-24-00234 | The People of the State of California v. Hansen, Lawrence Robert

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two men shot, die following possible attempted Pleasant Hill cannabis-related robbery

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From San Pablo, Pleasant Hill; police seek second shooting suspect

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, the Pleasant Hill Police Department dispatch received reports of a shooting in the area of Twinbridge Circle near Longbrook Way. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots with two victims injured and lying on the ground.

Police and medical personnel responded to the scene. Upon arrival, two adult male victims were found with multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. One victim was pronounced deceased, the second was treated for life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the second person shot during Tuesday’s incident on Twinbridge Circle has died in the hospital as a result of his injuries.

The identities of the two decedents are Pleasant Hill resident Peter Popovich, 63, and San Pablo resident Trevon Davis, 21. Pleasant Hill Police investigators have confirmed Popovich and Davis did not know one another.

This case is now being investigated as an attempted robbery resulting in homicide.

Investigators determined the victim, Peter Popovich, worked in the legal cannabis industry. The company he worked for sells packaging materials for the legal distribution and sales of cannabis. Earlier in the day, Popovich had been working in his capacity as a delivery driver, delivering packaging materials to Bay Area cannabis distributors.

At this time, the facts of this investigation indicate that Popovich was targeted for robbery by Trevon Davis and at least one other suspect while he was standing near his van parked on Twinbridge Circle. Both the suspects and Popovich were armed, leading to an exchange of gunfire. During this altercation, both Popovich and Davis were shot multiple times. At least one other suspect immediately fled the scene and, at this time, has not been identified. No arrest has been made.

Pleasant Hill Police investigators determined Popovich used his own firearm during the incident. Popovich’s firearm was recovered at the scene. Popovich possessed a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon which was issued by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

During the initial investigation, witnesses told investigators they heard the shooting and then saw a vehicle fleeing the scene. Currently, there is no information to share regarding the suspect vehicle.

This incident remains an active investigation. Any person with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

 

Pittsburg man, former president & CEO of metal finishing company sentenced to 30 months in prison for fraud

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Ferrari like the one purchased by Harry Corl, III. Photo: USDOJ  The former Santa Clara location of Nu-Metal Finishing, Inc. Source: finishingandcoating.com

Harry Corl, III also embezzled substantial company funds from employee stock ownership plan for luxury cars, Tiffany & Co. jewelry; required to pay $253,625.50 in restitution

By U.S. Attorney Northern District of California

SAN JOSE –was sentenced Tuesday, March 19, 2024, to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $253,625.50 in restitution to over 30 victim employees and shareholders, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Klaus Placke, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, San Francisco Regional Office.

Corl, now of Pittsburg, California, was indicted on several wire fraud and money laundering counts by a federal grand jury on November 29, 2018.  On September 25, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349.

According to court filings, from 2008 to 2014, Corl and his estranged wife and co-defendant were executive officers for Nu-Metal Finishing, Inc. They also served as trustees of the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, or ESOP, which provided retirement benefits and savings to the company’s employees by purchasing and investing company stock for their collective benefit.  As trustees, the Corls had a fiduciary duty to competently manage the ESOP’s cash, stock, and assets and act in the best interests of the employee-shareholders.  They failed to do so.

As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum, from 2011 to 2014, Corl used Nu-Metal’s corporate accounts to pay for numerous personal expenses wholly unrelated to the business of a metal finishing company.  For example, Corl used corporate funds to purchase extravagant jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and made lease payments on a Ferrari 599 GTB coupe, listing Nu-Metal Finishing as a lessee.  Corl also used corporate funds to lease a Bentley and to purchase outright a Mercedes S63 sedan.  The Corls flaunted their luxury car collection on social media.

Furthermore, in May 2014, the Corls arranged a fraudulent sale of Nu-Metal.  In all formal written agreements and conversations with all parties involved, the Corls represented themselves as the sole owners of the company, falsely stating that the ESOP had been terminated and was no longer a concern.  In reality, the ESOP and another shareholder owned well over 50% of the company’s outstanding stock and were owed their corresponding portion of the proceeds from the company’s sale.  However, Corl immediately transferred nearly the entire sale proceeds to his personal accounts and moved to Texas.  To date, the employees who participated in the ESOP, all laid off after the sale of the company, have not received any portion of the sale proceeds owed to them.  As indicated in the filed victim impact statements, these victims lost expected retirement income, and some have suffered serious financial distress a result.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Judge, who also sentenced Corl to pay $253,625.50 in restitution, serve a three-year period of supervised release, and pay a $100 special assessment fee.  The defendant will begin serving his sentence on June 13, 2024.

Marissa Harris is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of a four-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Alamo doctor sentenced to prison for distributing opioids outside scope of medical practice

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Photo: CDC

Female defendant pleaded guilty to distributing Norco without a legitimate medical purpose; operated under the name “Mindful Medical”

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Parto Karimi, a former Bay Area doctor, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for distributing powerful opioids outside the scope of medical practice, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark. The sentence was handed down on March 15, 2024, by the Hon. Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge.

Karimi, 59, of Alamo, California, pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of distributing hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, outside the scope of professional practice, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Karimi practiced medicine from an accessory dwelling unit on the grounds of her suburban home from roughly 2011 to 2022. Her practice operated under the name “Mindful Medical.” Karimi was a licensed practitioner of internal medicine who had previously worked as an emergency room doctor at an East Bay hospital and was authorized to prescribe controlled substances as part of her medical practice.

According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, the DEA began investigating Karimi after receiving concerning information from the family of one of Karimi’s former patients, who had passed away. The investigation included multiple visits by undercover agents to Karimi’s medical practice. During one, on October 1, 2021, an undercover agent asked Karimi for 10mg Norco tablets based on a claim of leg pain resulting from work as a restaurant server. Karimi admitted in her plea agreement that she wrote the undercover agent a prescription for 60 high-dose Norco pills without conducting a physical examination, without asking follow-up questions about the undercover’s reported pain, without obtaining medical records, and without exploring alternative treatment options or trying a lower dose. Karimi admitted that, in doing so, she knew she was acting in an unauthorized manner by prescribing a controlled substance outside the usual course of medical practice. She also admitted she knew the drug she prescribed was a powerful opioid that can be highly addictive and is liable to abuse by patients.

The government argued in its papers that Karimi wrote medical prescriptions for opioids like Norco in exchange for street drugs including cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as cash payments.

In addition to sentencing Karimi to prison, Judge Tigar ordered the defendant to serve three years of supervised release to begin after her prison term is completed. Judge Tigar also ordered the defendant to forfeit her California medical license and to pay a $4,000 fine.

Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Pastor is prosecuting the case with assistance from Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DEA, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the California Department of Justice Division of Medical Fraud and Elder Abuse.

Brentwood Police help arrest 7 child predators during Operation Broken Heart

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Photo: Brentwood PD

Seize devices as part of county’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

By Brentwood Police Department

Recently our agency took part in the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for a week-long operation targeting adults who were seeking to meet minors for sex with the goal of identifying victims of child sexual abuse.

A total of 12 law enforcement agencies participated in “Operation Broken Heart,” which encompassed hundreds of law enforcement work hours throughout the week. The ICAC Task Force resulted in 7 arrests, the identification of minors, the seizure of multiple devices and a “safer community, which is the primary focus of these missions.

The ICAC program helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. This includes forensic and investigative services, training, technical assistance, victim services, and community education.

Our agency remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community and would like to thank all of the participating agencies for their contributions last week in combatting child exploitation.

 

Former Contra Costa Fire District Battalion Chief admits to felony grand theft

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Louis Manzo, Jr. Source: LinkedIn

Faced 9 years in prison, given 30 days in Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, 1 year probation

Total loss to district: $65,000

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office secured a felony grand theft conviction against a former battalion chief with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District as part of a negotiated disposition.

58-year-old Louis Manzo, Jr. of Danville was initially charged by the District Attorney’s Office in 2019 with felony crimes related to the misappropriation of public funds that occurred between 2014-2019. Moreover, Manzo, Jr. committed theft of Contra Costa Fire Protection District funds by falsifying information on timekeeping records, paid time off requests, and then redirecting public funds for his personal use. The Fire Protection District lost over 46-thousand dollars in fraudulent salary payments. (See related article)

In total, the loss to Con Fire is $46,000 in direct salary payments and $19,000 in costs incurred to cover shifts while Manzo was out of the office or claiming to be on special assignment.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said: “Acts of public corruption erode the integrity of our institutions that are here to serve our communities. The resolution in this case ensures that the misappropriated funds are returned to the Fire District.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Steven Bolen, who said that Manzo, Jr. pled no contest to one count of felony grand theft [PC 487(a)]. He’s been ordered by the court to serve 30 days of custody time through the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, one year of court probation, 30 hours of community service, must pay restitution and fines, cannot have any contact with Fire District employees, and is ordered to stay away from all official Fire District locations.

Manzo, Jr. also must comply with searches and seizures of records and other materials related to his finances. In addition to the court-ordered penalties, Manzo Jr.’s felony plea will also affect his county pension benefits under Government Code section 7522.72.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Manzo, Jr. started as a Firefighter in 1990 and had “30 years in fire safety and response, moving through the ranks from Firefighter through Battalion Chief. Manage up to seven stations, overseeing budgets up to $20 million, and leading up to 60 personnel, effectively supporting daily operations, emergency events, and apparatus shops.”

As Battalion Chief, Manzo, Jr. “Managed seven fire stations leading and supporting nine Fire Captains, overseeing up to 60 personnel and a budget of up to $20 million. Oversaw training, development, and education of personnel, driving improvements and building collaborative teams.”

Case No. 01-192362-2 | The People of the State of California v. Manzo, Louis Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Adult suspect arrested for shooting man multiple times in Brentwood Saturday night

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By Lt. Chris Peart, Brentwood Police Department

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, at approximately 8:00 pm, Brentwood officers responded to a report of a shooting at the 400 block of Orchard Drive. When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim who had been shot multiple times. The victim is recovering in a local hospital and is expected to survive.

After speaking to the victim and witnesses in the area, officers identified an adult suspect who was taken into custody without further incident.

This was an isolated incident and there is no further threat to the community. This investigation is ongoing and should you have any additional information to provide, please contact Detective Bascom at (925) 809-7822.