Contra Costa Herald

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

Hayward man charged with felonies including taking women’s Israel flags, burning one at El Cerrito protest

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Christopher Khamis Victor Husary during the Jan. 6, 2024, protest in El Cerrito (Photo: El Cerrito PD) and at another protest in his profile photo posted on his Facebook page on Feb. 7, 2024, and his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024.

For hate crimes, robbery, arson during actions at Israel-Gaza protest, counter-protest

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a three-count felony complaint with special hate crime allegations attached to each charge against 36-year-old Christopher Khamis Victor Husary of Hayward for criminal offenses that occurred during a protest in El Cerrito. (See related article)

On January 6th, 2024, a gathering of protesters and counter-protesters assembled in Albany for a demonstration on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza’s Palestinian territory. While participating in the protest in El Cerrito, Husary attacked a woman, taking an Israeli flag she was carrying, and set it on fire. Also, Husary pushed another woman and took another Israeli flag that was draped around her shoulders.

The El Cerrito Police Department initiated an investigation into the incident, and with the assistance of the public, police investigators were able to identify Husary as the individual responsible for the offenses. On February 28th, a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police also served Husary with a search warrant of his residence in Hayward – which produced additional evidence that linked him to the charged crimes.

He is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility and will be arraigned in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa on the following charges:

  • Second Degree Robbery [PC 211]
  • Grand Theft Person [PC 487(c)]
  • Arson of Property of Another [PC 451(d)]
  • Special Allegations – Hate Crimes [PC 422.75(a)]

District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized that “While the First Amendment is fundamental to our democracy, it doesn’t protect threats, injury, intimidation, or property damage. Moreover, when such actions stem from biases related to race, gender, religion, ancestry, or national origin, they become hate crimes.”

Case No. 02-24-00279 | The People of the State of California v. Husary, Christopher

Christopher Khamis Victor Husary seen with a megaphone at a protest on Solano Avenue in Albany, CA in a photo posted on his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024.

In a video posted on his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024, Husary can be seen marching with other protesters on Solano Avenue in Albany, CA and heard yelling chants through a megaphone which were repeated by the others, “Free, free, free Palestine. Occupation is a crime. Genocide is a crime. Netanyahu, you can’t hide. Killing children is a crime. Killing women is a crime.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

After child found alone in car with engine running two arrested in Hercules for large quantities of weed, firearms charges

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Bags of marijuana packaged for sale and guns seized from two suspects on Feb. 19, 2024. Photo: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

On Feb. 19, 2024 at approximately 4:24PM Hercules Police Officers were dispatched to Home Depot for a theft in progress. Officers contacted the two subjects as they exited Home Depot and approached a Chevy Cruze parked in a handicap spot, with the engine running, and an infant left alone in a car seat. Officers recognized the subjects, and one subject was known to be on Felony Probation for Robbery.

A probation search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers located large quantities of marijuana packaged for sales and promethazine with no prescription label. Officers arrested both subjects for suspected drug violations and child endangerment. A family member responded to the scene and took custody of the child.

Officers then conducted a probation search of one of the subject’s residence located in Hercules. Located inside of the residence was a larger quantity of marijuana as well as an unregistered Micro Draco assault weapon, and an unregistered pistol.

Both subjects were booked at Martinez Detention Facility on various firearm and marijuana charges.

Suspect in El Cerrito Jan. 6th protest violence arrested

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Christopher Khamis Victor Husary during the protest in El Cerrito on Jan. 6, 2024. Photo: El Cerrito PD

Charged with robbery, grand theft and arson.

By El Cerrito Police Department

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, a group of protesters and counter-protesters arrived in the City of El Cerrito and took over the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Carlson Boulevard. The El Cerrito Police Department became aware of an incident that occurred during the protest wherein a male protester pushed a woman down to the ground from behind causing minor injury and then he took her flag by force.  The suspect then burned the woman’s flag in the street.

The department released photos of the suspect in the incident who was wearing a garment to cover his face. With help from the public, the department was able to identify the suspect and obtain a warrant for his arrest.

Wednesday morning, Feb. 28, 2024, at 7:00 AM, El Cerrito Police Officers arrested Christopher Khamis Victor Husary, a 36-year-old man from Hayward, on an arrest warrant stemming from his involvement in the incident.

A search warrant was served at Husary’s residence and investigators recovered additional evidence that implicated Husary in the crime. Husary was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of robbery, one count of grand theft from a person, and one count of arson.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the 6-foot tall, 165-lb. suspect (born Dec. 18, 1987) is being held on $115,000 bail.

The investigation will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with a request for prosecution.

According to localcrimenews.com, Husary was first arrested in 2006 by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department for being intoxicated in public, then again in 2017 by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department for battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse. He was arrested in December 2023 by San Francisco Police for vandalism of $5,000 or more.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Following police chase from Lafayette to El Sobrante suspects arrested for armed robberies in 3 counties

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7-year-old boy discovered in suspects’ vehicle was child of driver; both suspects have history of arrests

By Lafayette Police Department

Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2024, at about 2 PM, Lafayette police officers responded to a report of a robbery at a fast-food restaurant on the 3500 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette.

Officers identified the suspect vehicle and determined it was involved in armed robberies in Solano and Marin Counties earlier in the day.

At about 2:12 PM, a Lafayette officer located the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 24. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed leading the officer on a pursuit that went west on Camino Pablo toward El Sobrante.

While on Camino Pablo (which turns into San Pablo Dam Road), the suspect vehicle apparently lost traction and collided with another car traveling in the opposing lane.

Two occupants in the suspect vehicle were taken into custody. They are identified as 24-year-old Jajuan Ojeda of Oakland and 39-year-old Aevra Traylor of Sacramento. Officers discovered a 7-year-old boy in the suspect vehicle who turned out to be the child of the driver. Ojeda and Traylor were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and are facing charges that include robbery, felony evasion, and child endangerment. Both also had multiple warrants for their arrest.

The driver of the vehicle who was struck on San Pablo Dam Road was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The investigation is ongoing.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 5-foot, 6-inch, 160-lb. Ojeda has a history of arrests dating back to 2017 inclulding once in December 2023, by the Sheriff’s Departments of Marin and Alameda counties and Oakland PD for crimes including carjacking, assault with a firearm, and multiple charges of evasion and resisting arrest.

According to localcrimenews.com, 5-foot, 5-inch, 165-lb. Traylor also has a history of arrests dating to 2017, including three times in December 2023, by the Sheriff’s Departments of Marin, Sacramento and Solano counties, Solano CHP and Castro Valley CHP for crimes including multiple vehicle thefts, driving with a suspended license, receiving stolen property, DUI, multiple gun charges, evasion of a police officer – driving on the wrong side of the road and wanton disregard for safety, and drug possession.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Child predator arrested in Danville attempts suicide on way to jail

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10:33 AM, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force was conducting an enforcement operation.

The ICAC task force in Contra Costa County includes investigators from the Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Concord Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators went to a residence in Danville to arrest a suspect who solicited a detective posing as a 13-year-old boy for sex. The suspect, a 50-year-old Hispanic male out of Fairfield, CA, was arrested for arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes (PC 288.4(b)), contacting a minor to commit a felony (PC 288.3(a)), at-tempted lewd acts on a child (PC 664/288(a)), attempted sending harmful material to seduce a minor (PC 664/288.2(a)(1), and resisting arrest (PC 148).

While being transported to the Martinez Detention Facility, the suspect

attempted suicide by hanging himself. Medical aid was rendered, and the suspect was transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

Contra Costa Coroner’s Jury determines Richmond man shot by police last June died of suicide

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Richmond Police officer shoots suspect on June 28, 2023. Video screenshot

After he raised a pistol at officers

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office

Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the June 28, 2023, shooting death of 66-year-old Kevin James McDonald of Richmond by police. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is suicide.

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 June 28, 2023, officers from the Richmond Police Department were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island of Richmond.

Officers approached a closed bedroom door, which they opened while they announced themselves as being “Richmond Police”. As officers opened the door, they located McDonald seated on a bed, armed with an AR-15-style pistol. McDonald raised his weapon toward officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Officers provided medical aid to McDonald, who was pronounced deceased, by responding medical personnel. He had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

A subsequent search of the residence resulted in detectives locating a total of 53 firearms, including 23 pistols, 8 revolvers, 20 rifles, and two shotguns. A live hand grenade along with a large quantity of ammunition was seized. Materials to manufacture illegal firearms were also seized.

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 or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pittsburg teen shot, killed inside car in Antioch early Saturday morning

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By Sgt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, at approximately 5:12 am, Antioch Police patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Observation Way for a male who had been shot seated inside of a vehicle. Officers arrived on scene and located a 16-year-old male from Pittsburg with at least one gunshot wound. Officers on scene provided life-saving measures until relieved by ConFire and paramedics. The male victim was transported to an area hospital where he ultimately succumbed his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Officers discovered the shooting took place in the 2000 block of Tupleo Way. Officers canvassed the area and located the scene. 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 provided.

No other information is being released at this time including the names of the victim or suspect.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by emailing aduffy@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Contra Costa DA secures justice for victims in 2021 Richmond mass shooting

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Enrique Anacleto Ramirez-Calmo. Photo: Richmond PD

Gang member faces life sentences without parole for triple homicide

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

Martinez, CA – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, the conviction of Enrique Anacleto Ramirez-Calmo on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder, along with gang and other special circumstances enhancements.

On June 20, 2021, 29-year-old Ramirez-Calmo of Oakland (born 7/13/94) and a fellow gang member opened fire on a group of partygoers in Richmond. The attack, fueled by mistaken identity and gang rivalry, resulted in the death of three people and bullet wounds to four others.

The jury delivered their verdict on February 21st, concluding a four-month trial that stemmed from the horrific shooting at a residential party on Father’s Day. “This was a senseless massacre that shattered the lives of innocent families,” said District Attorney Diana Becton.

In early 2022, an investigative breakthrough led to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filing the previously unsolved murder against Ramirez-Calmo. The prosecution presented a compelling case, including a video filmed by one of the victims that captured the moment of the shooting. Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with Richmond Police Department and other agencies, the trial included evidence from 2019 that Ramirez-Calmo was responsible for in another county.

“This was a complex case with numerous challenges,” said Deputy District Attorney Chad Mahalich, who prosecuted the case. “I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and expertise of everyone involved, including law enforcement, victim advocates, and the entire DA’s Office team. Together, we ensured that the defendant was held accountable for his actions.”

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, six-inch, 175-lb. Hispanic man is being held on no bail in the West County Detention Facility

Ramirez-Calmo will be sentenced on March 11th at 10:00 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez and faces life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Case No. 02-336043-5 | The People of the State of California v. Ramirez-Calmo, Enrique

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff negotiates plea agreement to gun charge, filing false police report, preparing false documents

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Matthew Buckley charged with 6 felonies for actions while serving search warrant in Antioch; former Officer of the Year will serve 3 years & 8 months in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea against 42-year-old Matthew Allen Buckley, of Pinole, for offenses that occurred when he was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

Buckley was charged in February 2023 with six felonies and one misdemeanor related to offenses that occurred in 2020 and 2022. In a negotiated disposition, Buckley pled no contest to three felonies, including possession of an illegal assault weapon, filing a false police report, and preparing false documentary evidence [PC30605, PC118.1, and PC134]. Buckley will receive a three years and eight months prison sentence, which he can serve on mandatory supervised release if he successfully completes a six-month drug rehab program.

The case began in September 2020 when Buckley, assigned to the Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort (C.A.S.E), participated in a task force executing a search warrant in Antioch. During the operation, Deputy Buckley seized two illegal AR-15s, phones, laptops, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.

After seizing the AR 15s, Deputy Buckley authored a police report where he falsely claimed to have booked the firearms into evidence. Instead of booking the illegal weapons, Buckley separated the upper sections from the lower sections of the firearm. He returned possession of the upper sections of the firearms to the original owner, but never returned the lower sections of the firearms.

As part of this investigation the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department discovered that Deputy Buckley created false documents and signed for a judge without his consent on multiple search warrant returns for unrelated cases.

In August 2022 as the investigation was concluding, Deputies with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office searched Buckley’s residence and found the lower sections of the AR-15s as well as a small amount of methamphetamine.

According to his Linkedin profile, Buckley worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, including his final three years and 10 months as a detective. Previously, he had worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Field Training Officer and then a Station Supervisor for ProTransport-1 ambulance service in Pleasant Hill. He started his work life as a Network Security Engineer for Bank of American in Concord.

In 2019, he was named the department’s Officer of the Year.

Pursuant to California Government Code, Matthew Buckley will be legally ineligible to serve as a police officer. Moreover, convicted of felony offenses, Buckley is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

APPS felony arrest in Richmond seizure of hundreds of illegal weapons, approximately one million rounds of ammunition

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Guns seized in Richmond arrest. Photos: CA DOJ

Including machine guns, assault rifles, silencers, suspected grenades

By Office of California Attorney General

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today, Thursday, February 15, 2024, the arrest of a suspect in Richmond with a large cache of illegal firearms, including assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and approximately one million rounds of ammunition. The suspect is alleged to be legally barred from owning weapons.

“This arrest demonstrates exactly why the Armed and Prohibited Persons System is vital for the safety of our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In our efforts to retrieve guns from a prohibited individual, we found hundreds of allegedly illegal weapons and approximately one million rounds of ammunition. I am grateful for our Bureau of Firearms agents’ and local law enforcement partners’ work in getting these illegal weapons out of the hands of this prohibited individual.”

On January 31, 2024, agents from the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms (BOF) Contra Costa Anti-Violence Support Effort (CASE) Task Force assisted by the BOF Dublin office and Contra Costa County Probation Officers served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Richmond. During the search, several suspected grenades were discovered, and the Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad and Travis Air Force Base Bomb Squad were asked to respond, and the grenades were found to be inert. After a thorough search of the residence, DOJ agents seized approximately 11 military-style machine guns, 133 handguns, 37 rifles, 60 assault rifles, 7 shotguns, 20 silencers, 4 flare guns, 3,000 large capacity magazines, approximately one million rounds of miscellaneous caliber ammunition, and dozens of rifle receivers and pistol frames. (See video.)

In 2006, California became the first state in the nation to establish a system for tracking firearm owners who fall into a prohibited status. The APPS database works to identify individuals who lawfully procured firearms and later became prohibited from owning or possessing them. In general, prohibited persons in APPS include individuals who were convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor, were placed under a domestic violence or other restraining order, or suffer from serious mental illness.

The 2022 APPS Report was released in April of 2023 and the 2023 APPS Report will be released in March 2024. DOJ’s BOF serves the people of California through education, regulation, and enforcement actions regarding the manufacture, sale, ownership, safety training, and transfer of firearms and ammunition. BOF staff are leaders in providing firearms expertise and information to law enforcement, legislators, and the general public in a comprehensive program to ensure legitimate and responsible firearm possession and use by California residents. BOF is looking to hire additional special agents and more information on assessments for relevant job openings can be found on DOJ’s website at oag.ca.gov/careers/exams.