Contra Costa Herald

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

Richmond, Antioch men convicted of robbery in series of organized SF retail thefts

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By San Francisco District Attorney’s Office

On Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Sean Raquel Jevonce Simon, Jr. (24) of Richmond, and Delandro Belvine-Brown (22) of Antioch were each sentenced to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty in San Francisco Superior Court to committing robbery in violation of Penal Code Section 211, in relation to a series of retail thefts occurring in San Francisco.

“Retail theft continues to have a major impact on San Francisco’s business community and the city’s economic livelihood. These crimes demand accountability and we need to send the message to others involved in this criminal enterprise that, with the support of our local law enforcement partners, our office will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “With San Francisco Police Department receiving $15.3 million dollars and our office receiving $2 million from the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, law enforcement agencies in San Francisco will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all levels of this criminal enterprise.”

In this case, the People alleged that Mr. Belvine-Brown and Mr. Simon were a part of an organized group which committed a series of snatch-and-grab thefts and robberies from Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Veo Optics stores in San Francisco from November 1, 2021, through July 1, 2022. By employing a consistent brazen theft strategy, Mr. Belvine-Brown, Mr. Simon, and others entered the store as a group, rapidly grabbed numerous expensive sunglasses from display shelves, and quickly exited the store and got in an awaiting car. Investigators from SFPD and Brentwood Police Department conducted a joint investigation as there were similar thefts that occurred in Contra Costa County. Investigators from both agencies examined evidence from multiple sources, including store surveillance videos, social media posts, and mobile phone records to identify the Defendants and their criminal activities.

The case against Mr. Belvine-Brown and Mr. Simon was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Conrad Del Rosario with support and assistance from District Attorney Inspector Lessa Vivian and Paralegal Chloe Mosqueda. This case was investigated by the San Francisco Police Department’s Burglary Unit and the Brentwood Police Department’s Investigation Division.

“Individuals who openly commit egregious and brazen retail crimes impact not only the store’s viability to stay open for their community, but also have long lasting effects on store employees and customers who are subjected to this blatant disregard for the law,” said Assistant District Attorney del Rosario. “These cases should serve as notice to those would-be thieves that law enforcement will aggressively investigate and prosecute their criminal activity in San Francisco.”

Belvine-Brown and Simon are currently in custody and will be transported to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s custody to begin serving their state prison sentences.

Court Number: Belvine-Brown, 22011459, Simon, 23003591

Contra Costa DA issues statement on Oakley shooting death on Oct. 21st

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office was briefed today by Oakley Detectives on investigative developments regarding the October 21st house party shooting. (See related articles here, here and here)

At this time, the incident remains an active homicide investigation as Oakley Police continue to gather and evaluate all pertinent evidence.

Once Oakley Police complete their investigation, they will likely present the District Attorney’s Office with a request for prosecution. Upon submission of the police reports and the potential charges, the DA’s Office will make a filing decision.

Due to the sensitive and active nature of this investigation, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office will not be making any additional statements at this time.

Anyone with information about this shooting should contact the Oakley Police Department.

Antioch suspect in Oakley homicide and multiple teen victim shooting released Friday

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By Danielle Navarro, Oakley Assistant City Manager

Oakley, CA – 4:49 PM – The homicide of a 16-year-old male, and the shooting of three other teenagers that occurred on October 21st in the 400 block of Shannon Way has been the top priority of the Oakley Police Department since it occurred. The investigators of the Oakley Police Department have worked tirelessly and continuously on this case over the past week. The Department has processed a large amount of electronic and digital evidence and spoken to many people in relation to the investigation. (See related articles here and here)

On October 25, 2023, the Oakley Police Department arrested Jason Walizada (18, Antioch) in connection with these heinous crimes. Walizada was booked into the Main Detention Facility in Martinez for a warrant, which was obtained by Oakley PD.

This case continues to be an ongoing and very active investigation. With this being the situation, we are unable to speak about the details of the case or what we have uncovered so far. Walizada will be released from custody later today pending further developments in our investigation. This latest development is always considered to be a possibility in major cases like ours where there are large amounts of evidence to process and sort through.

“This case represents the largest, most violent and deadly mass-shooting involving youth in the history of Oakley,” said Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard. “We are not done in our pursuit of justice in this killing and it is our end goal to remove all responsible parties from free society and incarcerate them. I previously stated our work is not done – we will not rest until we have successfully achieved the end goal in this case.

As always, if there are any further developments or updates in this case, I will be sure to share them.”

 

Antioch teen arrested for homicide, multiple victim shooting in Oakley

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U.S. Marshals assist in apprehension

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

Oakley, CA – The senseless homicide of a 16-year-old male, and the shooting of three other teenagers that occurred on Saturday, October 21st in the 400 block of Shannon Way has been the top priority of the Oakley Police Department since it occurred. (See related article)

Today, October 25, 2023, at 4:30 PM the Oakley Police Department, in partnership with the United States Marshals Service, arrested Jason Walizada (18, Antioch) in connection with these heinous crimes. The arrest occurred in the 2600 block of Orange Way, Antioch. Walizada was booked into the Main Detention Facility in Martinez with a $3,500,000 bail (homicide warrant).

Over the past few days all investigators of the Oakley Police Department have spoken to dozens of potential witnesses, and they have processed a large amount of electronic/digital evidence. The arrest of Walizada does not represent the sole focus of our investigation because we will continue to investigate every lead in this case.

“This case has absolutely shattered the lives of family, friends and loved ones of the victims in this case, especially the deceased child. I am hoping we will see full measures of accountability achieved in this case.

Our work is not done, but I appreciate my investigators for all of the diligent work they have put in so far to identify a responsible in this case and to get him into custody. I appreciate all of the support from all of the allied agencies that assisted us during this investigation, particularly the United States Marshals Service.

As I previously said this youth violence does not belong anywhere- ever!

If there are any further developments or updates in this case I will be sure to provide updates.

Four teens shot, one dead in Oakley Saturday night

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One male deceased at scene, two other males, one female injured

Several students walk off Freedom High campus out of fear, Monday

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

On Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at 11:12 PM Oakley police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Shannon Way on the report a shooting had just occurred and several people had been shot.  Officers arrived on scene a short while later and located five spent 9mm shell casings in front of the residence. Officers also found a total of four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Tragically a 16-year-old juvenile was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel. Next of kin has been notified. The other three victims were transported to John Muir Walnut Creek with non-life-threatening injuries.

Additional resources, to include Oakley police detectives, additional officers and administration were called in.

The suspect fled the scene prior to officers arriving and has not been located. This was a very chaotic scene and Oakley police personnel are actively working with dozens of potential witnesses in an attempt to ascertain the identification of the suspect. At this point it does appear as if there was only one suspect.

Officers were dispatched to this residence approximately thirty minutes prior to the shooting regarding a loud party. Officers arrived at that time and spoke to an 18-year-old female resident who was advised of the noise complaint. The female advised the party was being shut down and they were trying to get people to leave but kids kept showing up. Officers asked if she needed help shutting down the party and she declined assistance.

One witness advised that after officers left the residence, a group of 20-30 kids showed up in front of the residence but could not get into the house due to the front door being locked. The group entered the backyard through the side gate. Shortly after, screaming was heard coming from inside the home and several people were seen running out the front door.  Shortly after that, approximately five-six shots were heard being fired in front of the residence, which is consistent with the observations of our officers and the evidence they have located so far.

“This is an active investigation, and it is our top priority right now. I have spoken to the Oakley personnel who were at this scene, and I have been made aware of all of the investigative steps that need to be taken. Our commitment to our community is heightened due to the fact the suspect and the weapon used in this crime are still not accounted for. This is very much of a “no rest until an arrest” approach for our investigators and officers. Every plausible lead is going to be followed up on until this case is resolved.

As I write this there is not yet enough information that has been developed about the suspect in this case, for me to broadcast out. As soon as I have something to put out that will benefit our investigation, I will be sure to do so and I will make an appeal to our community to assist us in locating the suspect.

No parent should ever have to receive the news that happened last night and live through the horror of losing a child- I am very sorry this happened, and I offer sincere condolences.

I will update all of you as soon as I can. If you do have any information about this shooting please call the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060, advise the dispatcher you have information regarding the shooting that happened on Shannon Way and you will be connected to the appropriate person.

10/23/23 UPDATE: The shooting/homicide that occurred on Saturday, October 21st in the 400 block of Shannon Way remains the top priority of the Oakley Police Department and we have been steadily working on it every hour since it occurred.

I am providing the following facts about the victims in this case:

  • 16-year-old male- deceased (gunshot wounds)
  • 17-year-old female- released from hospital (gunshot wounds)
  • 16-year-old male- still hospitalized (gunshot wounds)
  • 15-year-old male- still hospitalized (gunshot wounds)

Our investigators have spoken to multiple people who were associated with the party or witnessed the tragic events that occurred. We have sourced several videos from the neighborhood that we believe are key to our investigation and we continue to scour for electronic/ digital evidence. We are doing all of these things in hopes of making an arrest in this case.

It has been brought to our attention, several students walked off of the Freedom High School campus, today, Monday, Oct. 23rd out of fear that was driven by an unverified and unvetted rumor. It appears as if the presence of this rumor on social media created even more concern. So far, our investigation has not revealed any information that suggests there is a threat of violence at any school due to the shooting on Saturday night and we urge families to resume normal school and daily activities.

The Oakley Police Department acknowledges the assistance rendered by the Brentwood Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office East Contra Costa Fire Department and the American Medical Response ambulances. This was a multi-casualty event, and we appreciate all of the assistance we received. This case remains a multi-faceted investigation.

“I have received several briefs on this case and the direction it is going in. I feel confident in the ability and skills of our investigators to bring this case to a positive resolution. The more I learn about this case the more angry and sad I get that a multi-casualty event occurred. The fact that it involved juveniles- children, makes it even worse. This does not belong in Oakley this does not belong anywhere.

My investigators have my full support to do what they have to do to identify the killer in this case and to get him into custody”.   

Coroner’s Inquest jury finds 2022 police shooting death of Oakley man was “at the hands of another person”

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During domestic violence incident

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

Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the August 26, 2022 death of 58-year-old Frank Anthony Correa of Oakley. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

During a domestic violence incident, Correa opened fire on Oakley Police resulting in officers returning fire and killing him. (See related article)

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

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

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CHP officer injured, 39-year-old Pittsburg man dies after shooting near Red Bluff

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Joseph Michael Pate had history of arrests dating back to 2014

By CHP-Northern Division

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 11:37 A.M., a CHP officer assigned to the CHP Red Bluff office stopped to perform a welfare check on a disabled vehicle southbound I-5, south of Chard Avenue, south of the City of Red Bluff. Shortly after contacting the solo occupant of the disabled vehicle, the CHP officer was met with gunfire. The CHP officer was struck by rounds fired from an assault-type rifle being fired by the occupant of the vehicle. Subsequently, the CHP officer drew his service weapon and returned fire at the occupant, striking him several times. The occupant of the vehicle was later identified as Joseph Michael Pate, a 39-year-old man from Pittsburg, CA.

The CHP officer broadcasted a request for emergency assistance. As officers from the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, Red Bluff Police Department, Corning Police Department, and CalFire were responding to assist, Pate entered the CHP patrol vehicle and fled southbound on

I-5. Shortly after stealing the CHP patrol vehicle, Pate crashed into a truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer, causing the truck-tractor to overturn. Pate crashed the CHP patrol vehicle into an open field west of I-5, where it caught fire.

Pate was arrested at the scene and emergency aid was rendered for gunshot wounds. Pate was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. The recovered rifle used by Pate had no associated serial numbers.

The CHP officer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and underwent surgery. The officer’s surgery was successful, and the officer is currently recovering from his injuries.

Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts said, “the California Highway Patrol is grateful for the quick response of our allied law enforcement partners and the medical professionals who tended to our CHP officer’s injuries. The CHP works tirelessly every day to provide Safety, Service, and Security to the communities we serve. While performing our duties there are inherent dangers our officers face. The courageous officer involved in this incident faced such danger and defended himself. We are very thankful he is now on the road to recovery. The CHP is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from the communities we serve.”

According to localcrimenews.com Pate had a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including Haywood, Dublin, Concord, Livermore and Pittsburg PD’s, as well as by Alameda and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Departments for crimes including robbery, burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is being requested to contact the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 529-7920.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Lafayette attorney indicted in the DC Solar billion dollar Ponzi scheme

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Faces 23 counts of conspiracy to commit wire & bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud

7 residents from Martinez, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek & Vacaville convicted, fined and sentenced

Former Concord- and Benicia-based company

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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Oct. 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment against Ari J. Lauer, 59, of Lafayette, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, for his role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Lauer is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, and from approximately 2009 to January 2019, he was outside counsel to DC Solar and provided legal and business advice concerning DC Solar’s operations. The indictment was unsealed today following Lauer’s arrest.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2018, DC Solar manufactured mobile solar generators that were mounted on trailers. The company touted the versatility and environmental sustainability of the generators and claimed that they were used to provide emergency power to cellphone towers and lighting at sporting and other events. A significant incentive for investors were generous federal tax credits due to the solar nature of the generators. Jeff Carpoff, 52, Paulette Carpoff, 49, both of Martinez, and their co-conspirators solicited investors to invest in the generators in large multimillion-dollar transactions using a variety of fraudulent techniques.

A key part of the fraud was that investors would never actually take possession of the generators. Instead, DC Solar typically leased those generators back from the investors, and claimed to sublease them to third parties to generate revenue. In reality there was very little actual third-party rental demand for the generators, yet when Lauer and the other co-conspirators learned this, they continued to represent falsely to investors that the rental market for the generators was robust.

In June 2012, Lauer, Jeff Carpoff, and others met to discuss the failure to generate third-party lease revenue sufficient to meet their financial obligations to the investors. The conspirators agreed to conceal that lack of third-party lease revenue from current and prospective investors, by, among other things, making periodic transfers of investor money from one account to another while misrepresenting the flow of funds as third-party lease revenue. Lauer and other members of the conspiracy created a circular payment system they referred to as “re-rent.” In 2014, they created a “re-rent agreement,” backdating the document to 2011, and used it to explain the large sums of money being transferred from one account to another. In fact, the real source of money was new investor money, which was being used to pay obligations to existing investors. The indictment further alleges that Lauer and other members of the conspiracy prepared sublease agreements with “concealed addendums” that materially altered the terms of the contracts. They used the sublease agreements to defraud investors.

Between March 2011 and Dec. 18, 2018, investors collectively invested approximately $759,400,000 and several financial institutions and other investors transferred collectively $152,700,000 to DC Solar as part of related transactions for the purchase and lease of generators. In total, DC Solar closed transactions with investors that contributed an aggregate of more than $912 million to purchase generators. Those transactions purportedly involved approximately 17,000 generators, at approximately $2.5 billion in purported value.

During the conspiracy, approximately 94% to 95% of the supposed lease revenue on the books was actually intercompany transfers disguised as new investor money. In truth, third-party end-user demand for generators never exceeded 5% of the revenue that was claimed. (Learn more about the DC Solar scheme)

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.

On Nov. 9, 2021, Jeff Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $790,600,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His wife Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering. She was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to 11 years and three months in prison.

On Nov. 16, 2021, Joseph W. Bayliss, 48, of Martinez, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $481,300,000 in restitution for securities fraud and conspiracy in connection with the DC Solar scheme. On April 12, 2022, DC Solar CFO Robert A. Karmann, 57, of Clayton, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $624 million. On May 31, 2022, Alan Hansen, 50 of Vacaville, was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering. Ryan Guidry, 48, of Pleasant Hill, was sentenced on Jan. 31, 2023, to six years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $619,415,950 in restitution for to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering.

Ronald J. Roach, 55, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14, 2023. Roach faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

lauer_indictment.pdf

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

18-year-old arrested for Oakley restaurant burglary

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Suspect from Concord and Oakley

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 8:46AM Oakley Police Officer D. Navarrette was dispatched to 2005 Main Street, Suite B for a burglary to Uncle Wong Chinese Restaurant. Upon arrival Officer Navarrette observed the front glass door to the restaurant was broken. Officer Navarrette entered the closed restaurant and noticed the cash register area had been ransacked and it appeared as if the cash register had been stolen. Officer Navarrette had the owner of the restaurant respond to confirm if there was any loss. The victim did confirm the cash register was missing along with a credit card reader and an undisclosed amount of cash. In addition to the loss there had been approximately $500 worth of damage done to the restaurant.

Officer Navarrette began his investigation, and he discovered the suspect had been captured on a security camera from inside the restaurant. The security camera footage revealed the suspect forcibly entered the restaurant at 2:43 AM. Officer Navarrette circulated an image of the suspect to all of the other police officer of the Oakley Police Department in hopes somebody would make a recognition.

On October 12, 2023, Officer C. Johnson was on patrol on the west end of town and saw a male who matched the image of what Officer Navarrette had circulated and he was still wearing the same exact clothing as from the night before. Officer Johnson contacted the person and the person admitted to committing the burglary. Officer Johnson arrested the person and booked him into jail. The suspect was not in possession of any of the stolen goods when he was arrested.

 The suspect in this case is a young man named Jonathan Douglas (18, Concord/Oakley). I further understand the suspect in this case is down on his luck. What I see in this case however, is a criminal act and criminal acts need to be associated with accountability. I applaud the communication, dedication and teamwork between my officers that lead up to this arrest. Simply put I have grown accustomed to expecting nothing less out of the men and women of the Oakley Police Department. I do hope the best possible decisions are made in the case of this young man to create positive change in his ways.

Stay safe Oakley.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

11 arrested for grand, petty theft at Pleasant Hill Shopping Center

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Arrests were made outside the Pleasant Hill Target store on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Photo: Pleasant Hill PD

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

We had another successful Theft Suppression event at the Pleasant Hill Shopping Center on Contra Costa Blvd., Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2023, which resulted in the recovery of over $2,500 of stolen merchandise. This shopping center houses stores like Target, Ross, and HomeGoods, as well as Burlington.

During this planned operation, the following 11 people were arrested for grand theft, petty theft:

Jordan Pitts 22, Opelika, AL

Abel Isais Garcia 23, Novato

Davonte Coimin Michel 25, Windsor

Derald Morris 65, Pittsburg

Andrew John Lopez 36, Martinez

George Davis 47, Pittsburg

Cayla Coleman 22, Richmond

Lavaughna F. Manuel 30, Antioch

Ahjanae Woods 23, Concord

Valerie Sage 65, Concord

Dennis Scarcella 33, San Francisco

Pleasant Hill police officers make arrests outside the Target store on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Photos: PHPD

We will continue to work hard through the upcoming Holiday Season to combat the ongoing issues with Organized Retail Crime and Retail Theft.

Thank you again to our community partners for assisting us in making this another successful event.