Contra Costa Herald

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

Concord hair salon owner arrested for sexual assault

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Chi Gnoc Vu arrest photo. Source: Concord PD

By Sgt. Chris Souza, Special Victims Unit, Concord Police Department

CPD CASE #23-08633

On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Concord Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU) arrested 41-year-old Chi Ngoc Vu for multiple counts of sexual assault. Vu is the owner of “Chi Hair Salon” located at 4701 Clayton Road in Concord. The sexual assaults occurred inside of the hair salon business.

The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office who filed the following charges against Vu:

PC 261(a)(2) – Forcible Rape

PC 261.5(d) – Unlawful Sexual Intercourse

PC 287(c)(2)(C) – Forcible Oral Copulation

PC 287(b)(2) – Oral Copulation of Minor Under 16

Two Counts of PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd Acts on a Child

Vu remains in custody on $275,000 bail. The Concord Police Department has reason to believe that Vu may have victimized others.

We are releasing his booking photo and urge anyone with additional information to call Detective Huffmaster at (925) 671-5080.

According to localcrimenews.com, Vu is a resident of Pittsburg.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two Turlock, Ceres men arrested for stealing safe from Brentwood business

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Two burglary suspects arrested after being found with the stolen safe from a Brentwood business in the in trunk of their car on Wed., April 24, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

The stolen safe in the suspects’ car trunk. Photo: BPD

On Wednesday April 24, 2024, around 11:45PM, Brentwood officers responded to 51 Sand Creek Road, the location of the Dollar Tree store, for a report of an alarm going off in the business. While officers were responding, Dispatch told officers that a safe was stolen from the business and the suspects had just fled from the scene in a car.

Brentwood officers who were circulating the area observed a car traveling at a high rate of speed in the immediate vicinity and the same car was subsequently found unoccupied in a nearby Court.

Officers began searching the area and found 27-year-old Alfredo Jose Barrera of Turlock, and 26-year-old Alejandro RamirezSilva of Ceres, hiding in nearby bushes.

Both Barrera and RamirezSilva were taken into custody, and the car they were associated to contained the stolen safe and burglary tools.

Barrera and RamirezSilva were placed under arrest for Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Possession of Burglary Tools, and other charges. Barrera also had outstanding warrants from another county.

Barrera and Ramirez Silva were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

This successful investigation stands as a testament to the dedication and response of our officers in ensuring the safety and security of our community and businesses.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of April 26, RamirezSilva was no longer in custody and as of April 29, Barrera was also out of custody having been cited and released.

According to localcrimenews.com, Barrera had previously been arrested in 2021 by Modesto PD and in 2022 by Tracy CHP for driving with a suspended license for reckless driving and driving while using a cellular device.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man arrested for DUI, causing multiple vehicle injury collision in Brentwood

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While speeding on Balfour Road; bonded out of custody; police seek witnesses

By Lt. Miguel Aguiar, Brentwood Police Department

On April 30, 2024, at around 9:26 PM, Brentwood officers responded to the report of a traffic collision involving multiple vehicles on westbound Balfour Road at McViking Way, between the two shopping centers along Fairview Way. Preliminary investigation revealed, the driver of a Chevy Silverado, identified as Zachary Alan Frances Rau, a 26-year-old male from Antioch, was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed, westbound Balfour Road before colliding with a Toyota RAV-4, driven by a 31-year-old male from Brentwood. The Toyota then collided with a Honda HR-V, driven by a 37-year-old male from Brentwood.

A passenger in Rau’s vehicle, a 26-year-old male from Antioch, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.

The driver of the Toyota RAV-4 was unconscious and unresponsive when officers arrived on scene. He sustained major injuries and required extrication from the vehicle before being airlifted to a local hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries and remains unstable.

The driver of the Honda HR-V was not injured.

Rau was treated a local hospital for minor injuries and subsequently arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury.

The names of all others involved, and any additional information are being withheld at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Rau is white and as of 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, he had bonded out of custody.

Anyone with further information or if you witnessed the collision and have not already been interviewed, please contact the Brentwood Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (925) 634-6911.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former accountant for Richmond business charged with felonies for embezzlement, ID theft money laundering

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Bail set at $2 million

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

A former accountant for a paver company in Richmond has been charged with a six-count felony complaint related to embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and tax evasion.

53-year-old Angela Fae Brown from Olivehurst, CA in Yuba County was arraigned today on charges in Contra Costa Superior Court. Between September 2017 and November 2022, Brown engaged in an embezzlement scheme that bilked over 800-thousand dollars from her employer, Viking Pavers in Richmond. Brown used her accounting skills to exploit financial vulnerabilities in the company to illegally enrich herself for nearly five years. She did this by:

  1. Pretending to be the owner of Viking Pavers and creating a fake online account with a payment processing service linked to her personal bank account.
  2. Generating hundreds of phony invoices for services and sending them electronically to the fake account she controlled.
  3. Brown paid these fake invoices with the company’s funds through the online payment processing platform — which funneled the money into her own account.
  4. Brown’s trusted employee status — and access to various financial controls — allowed her to conceal her embezzlement scheme for a long time.

A manager eventually suspected Brown’s fraudulent actions and confronted her. Richmond Police who, along with financial forensics analysts from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, investigated Brown’s actions. She was arrested on April 19th, 2024, and is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. Her bail is set at two-million-dollars. District Attorney Diana Becton said, “In white collar crimes, it’s of paramount importance for our Special

Operations Unit to use forensic tools to recover stolen funds; funds some have gone to great lengths to conceal.”

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

  1. PC 530.5(a)-felony: Identity theft
  2. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  3. PC 487(a)-f: Grand theft of money, labor, or real or personal property exceeding $950
  4. PC 529(a)(3)-felony: False personation
  5. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  6. RT 19705(a)(4)-felony: Concealing property with intent to evade tax

— Special Allegation PC 186.11(a)(2) : aggravated white-collar crime – taking more than $500,000

Alexis Gabe homicide to be featured in “On the Case with Paula Zahn” April 24

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From City of Oakley

In 2022, our community was gripped with the disappearance of Alexis Gabe, who was a local resident of ours. Our police department became deeply involved in her disappearance and quickly began operating as if Alexis met with foul play. This case ultimately became a case involving several jurisdictions in California and the State of Washington.

The suspect was the ex-boyfriend of Alexis and he was killed during the investigation, further hampering the efforts of local law-enforcement. Partial human remains were found in Amador County later that year and positively identified as those of Alexis. (See related article)

Alexis’ case will be featured on the program “On the Case with Paula Zahn” on April 24, 2024. The program will feature interviews with family members of Alexis and Oakley Police personnel. To see the program, you will need to be able to tune into the Investigation Discovery Channel (ID Channel).

 

Arrest made in Sunday’s fatal hit-and-run crash in Concord

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Jesus Ivan Dorantes was arrested by CHP on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Photo: CHP Contra Costa

By CHP Contra Costa

Contra Costa, CA – April 10, 2024 – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Contra Costa Office has made the arrest of 22-year-old Jesus Ivan Dorantes in connection with the fatal crash that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl. Dorantes was apprehended this afternoon and is currently being held at Martinez Detention Facility

Dorantes faces multiple charges, including manslaughter (192 PC), felony hit and run (20001 VC), and child abuse (273 PC). His bail has been set at $200,000.

CHP Contra Costa remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and service of all individuals on the road. This arrest underscores the CHP’s dedication to holding accountable those responsible for senseless tragedies on our roadways.

 

Berkeley man charged for rape, robbery of woman near North Concord BART station

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Larry Dean Ridge, Jr. also arrested March 20th for sexual battery

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

Martinez, California — 40-year-old Larry Dean Ridge, Jr. of Berkeley has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with a three-count felony complaint for forcible rape, assault and second-degree robbery against a female victim in Concord.

The incident occurred on April 8, 2024, around 6:30 pm near the North Concord BART station. The victim was walking on a pedestrian/bike trail when Ridge allegedly pushed the victim to the ground and proceeded to rape her. The victim was able to strike Ridge, who grabbed the victim’s purse and stole her cell phone and wallet. He left the purse as he fled toward the BART station.

A witness biking on the trail was able to help the victim to the BART station, where a station agent called 911. Concord Police officers arrived at the station shortly after and were able to locate and detain Ridge, who was on a BART train. After both the victim and the witness identified him as the assailant, he was arrested by officers.

On Thursday, April 11, Ridge was arraigned in Martinez on the charges, including special allegations for prior serious or violent felonies in another county. He’s being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

His bail has been set at $1,250,000.

Case No. 01-24-01348 | The People of the State of California v. Ridge, Larry Dean, Jr.

According to localcrimenews.com, Ridge was also arrested last month by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for sexual battery in Milbrae.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Berkeley man arrested for sexually assaulting woman near North Concord BART Station

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Convicted of murder in 2005; bail set at $1.25 million

By Lt. Mark Robison, Concord Police Department

On April 8th, 2024, at 6:25 PM, Concord Police officers responded to a sexual assault that had just occurred on the BART Linear Park trail in the area of Port Chicago Highway and the North Concord BART Station. A female victim, who was walking alone on the trail, was attacked by an unknown male, who forced her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

The victim fought with the suspect, and he fled toward the BART station. The victim and a witness were able to follow the suspect and called the police. Multiple officers from the Concord and BART Police Departments responded to the scene, resulting in the suspect’s detention by BART officers at the BART station. He was identified as the responsible and arrested.

The suspect was identified as Larry Dean Ridge, Jr. (40 years old, born 4/25/1983, resident of Berkeley). On Thursday afternoon, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed several felony charges against Ridge related to this assault. He remains in custody.

The Concord Police Department has no prior contacts with Ridge. He has a previous conviction for murder in 2005 and is not on parole or probation.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 175-pound Ridge is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail is set at $1.25 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on April 22 in Superior Court Department 23. Ridge’s description is listed as Non-Hispanic. But according to vinelink.com, he is listed as Black.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Concord man charged with assaulting DEA Officer with deadly weapon, other crimes

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Joel Dowen also indicted for extortion and a drug offense; partner, a SF man also charged with drug offenses

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

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has charged two defendants with various crimes, including one defendant with extortion and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp; IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley of the Oakland Field Office; and San Francisco Division Postal Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez.

The superseding indictment—which was returned by a federal grand jury on March 26, 2024, but unsealed on Wednesday, April 3, 2024,—charges Joel Roland Dowen, 44, of Concord, California, with one count each of mailing threatening communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876(b), and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(b). The indictment also charges Micah-Luc Almeida, 45, of San Francisco, California, with one count of possession with intent to distribute 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine, commonly known as MDA, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). And it charges Dowen and Almeida together with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute MDA, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(C). Dowen had originally been indicted on one count of mailing threatening communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876(b), on January 9, 2024.

“We will protect our federal law enforcement partners when someone harms or threatens them merely for doing their jobs,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “The defendants here are charged with serious crimes, and I am proud of the work being done by this Office to bring them to justice and safeguard everyone in the Northern District of California, including those sworn to protect us all.”

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, Dowen “was arrested following a raid by federal agents on his Concord home” and “indicted by a federal grand jury after investigators discovered that he allegedly sent letters via the United States Postal Service, attempting to extort money from a personal identified only as ‘M.S.’ He also allegedly threatened harm to another person identified as ‘P.S.’”

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Dowen faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three charges against him. Almeida faces the same statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the two charges on which he has been indicted. 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.

Dowen’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 3, 2024, before the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge for the Northern District of California. Dowen has been in federal custody since his arrest on January 17, 2024, and has been ordered detained pending trial. Almeida’s initial court appearance was scheduled for April 4, 2024, before the Honorable Kandis A. Westmore, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California.

According to the Alameda County Sherrif’s Office, Dowen is being held in the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. According to localcrimenews.com, he is white, five-foot, seven-inches tall and weighs 280-pounds.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Assistant United States Attorney Dan Karmel is prosecuting these cases with the assistance of Sara Slattery and Andy Ding. These prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the DEA, FBI, CI, and United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; San Francisco Homeland Security Investigations; and United States Customs and Border Protection.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Three Romanians arrested for stealing Electronic Benefit Transfer information throughout state

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Charged with access device fraud in multi-district operation

California has reported loss of over $22 million due to EBT theft in first quarter of 2024, robbing low-income families of funds to buy food

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

OAKLAND – Three individuals were charged with the use of unauthorized access devices were filed this week, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and United States Secret Service (“USSS”) – San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet.

The three defendants—Petrica Mosneagu, 44; Ionut Sopirla, 38; and Virgil Tudorascu, 42, all of Romania—were charged with stealing Electronic Benefit Transfer (“EBT”) account information and making fraudulent cash withdrawals at ATMs using that stolen EBT information in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(2). The defendants were arrested in a multi-district, USSS-led operation, which resulted in several arrests this week, including in the Southern District of California.

According to the public criminal complaints, law enforcement agencies have been investigating EBT theft across California for the past fourteen months. The complaints allege that the California Department of Social Services has identified that approximately $22.8 million has been stolen from victim EBT card beneficiaries from January to March 2024 in California, including in the Northern District of California. Most of these stolen funds have been obtained by unauthorized ATM withdrawals. Furthermore, the complaints allege that victims of the scheme are largely low-income families who depend on EBT benefits to buy food and other household necessities.

The complaints allege that the defendants fraudulently withdrew cash with “cloned” cards, which are debit cards, gift cards, or other devices with magnetic strips that have been encoded with information from legitimate EBT cards. The account holders’ account information was primarily “skimmed” at ATMs or point-of-sale terminals. Skimming devices recorded victim account holder account information on the magnetic strips and log their PINs through keypad overlays. Once skimmed, the victim account holders’ account information was then loaded onto blank or repurposed debit cards, which the defendants then used to withdraw cash or make purchases.

If convicted, each defendant face a maximum statutory sentence of ten years in prison on each charge. 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.

Defendants Mosneagu and Sopirla made their initial appearances Tuesday morning in Oakland and will appear for their detention hearings on April 10, 2024, before the Honorable Kandis A. Westmore. Defendant Tudorascu made his initial appearance Thursday morning and will also appear for his detention hearing on April 10, 2024.

Criminal complaints only allege that crimes have been committed, and each defendant must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis James and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Glimcher are prosecuting these cases, with the help of Katie Turner and Kay Konopaske. These prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the USSS, California Department of Social Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Francisco Human Services Agency – Special Investigations Unit, Pleasant Hill PD, Richmond PD, Oakland PD, Berkeley PD, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Romanian National Police, and U.S. Secret Service Bucharest.