Contra Costa Herald

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

Burglary suspects flee after crashing car into Pleasant Hill department store

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By Corporal Andrew Kuhn, Pleasant Hill Police Department

On November 23, 2023, at about 7:45 PM, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received a 911 call of a vehicle that collided into the entrance of Kohl’s, located at 2302 Monument Blvd. Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied vehicle and extensive damage to the east doors of the business. The business was closed at this time and no employees or customers were present.

During the preliminary investigation, officers discovered three subjects wearing masks entered the business and left with merchandise. The three subjects fled in a white sedan prior to police arrival.

This investigation remains active at this time. If you have any information that may assist investigators, you are encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

Antioch man arrested for felony hit-and-run death in Discovery Bay

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By CHP Contra Costa

On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at 11:42pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on Highway 4 near Newport Drive in Discovery Bay. An unknown vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 4 struck a pedestrian and the driver of the suspect vehicle did not stop and fled the scene. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

On Thursday, November 22, 2023, at 3:03pm, CHP Contra Costa Officers arrested Javier Dominguez Ramirez (32-year-old from Antioch) in connection with the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Nov. 16. This crash occurred on westbound SR-4, west of Newport Drive. He is currently being held on a $50k bail at the Martinez Detention Facility for Felony Hit and Run.

Contra Costa DA issues statement on apprehension of mental health diversion program fugitive

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Kenneth David Mcisaac fled from court ordered program for Lafayette armed home invasion

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

Mental Health Diversion fugitive Kenneth David Mcisaac was apprehended on November 14, 2023, in Oakland. Mcisaac fled from a court ordered mental health diversion program on October 24, 2023, and a warrant for his arrest was issued shortly after his disappearance. He is being held in custody without bail.

In September 2022, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed an in custody 12-count felony complaint against Mcisaac that was related to an armed home invasion incident in Lafayette wherein Mcisaac held a family hostage for hours. Mcisaac had remained in custody for a year. Then, on September 5, 2023, against a vigorous opposition from the DA’s Office, the court determined that a mental health diversion program would provide more effective treatment for Mcisaac’s condition and released him from custody. (See related article)

Following Tuesday night’s apprehension, Mcisaac was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 15 in front of Judge Julia Campins, Mcisaac’s mental health diversion status was terminated at the District Attorney’s request. He remains in custody with no bail. Criminal proceedings will resume on November 29th in Martinez.

Mcisaac was located and apprehended by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Safe Streets Task Force, a joint law enforcement effort comprised of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, federal partners, and local law enforcement agencies.

01-22-01678 | The People of the State of California vs. McIsaac, Kenneth Dav

 

Jury convicts Alamo attorney of embezzling $400,000 from fire victim clients

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

A jury in Martinez returned guilty verdicts on November 7th in a felony case involving an attorney, William James Reed, who embezzled $400,000 from his clients.

Reed, an 80-year-old attorney formerly of Alamo, was convicted of felony grand theft by embezzlement and a white-collar crime enhancement related to a settlement agreement with PG&E. The agreement included payments to victims of the 2006 Zamora Fire near Woodland, CA.

Following the fire, Reed authored a letter, purportedly from a fellow landowner impacted by the fire, stating that in a lawsuit against PG&E, attorney’s fees would be covered by PG&E. He invited fire victims to a Town Hall meeting in Zamora, where he assured them that, according to the law, PG&E would be responsible for attorney’s fees, not the clients.

Two families, including elderly victims with ranch properties damaged by the fire, agreed to have Reed represent them. Reed presented unclear and confusing lawyer-client relationship documents, including a contract implying clients would pay his hourly legal fees and costs at the rate of $625 an hour, and a cover letter stating PG&E would cover Reed’s attorney’s fees and costs. After obtaining the victims’ agreement on legal representation, Reed filed a lawsuit against PG&E on the victims’ behalf in 2008.

In 2013, a $200,000 settlement for each victim family was brokered by Reed with PG&E. Reed received the $400,000 settlement from an attorney representing PG&E — but Reed failed to inform his clients about the money. His clients discovered the settlement money was paid to Reed at an unrelated court hearing.

Afterward, when the victims asked Reed about their money, he presented them with a proposed settlement agreement. The agreement stated the clients would each give him $103,000 for attorney’s fees and costs, and in turn each client would receive $97,000. The victims refused to sign Reed’s proposed settlement agreement because it contradicted their initial agreement with him. Years of civil litigation ensued between Reed and the victims, with Reed using some of the settlement money to pay his lawyers to fight the victims.

In 2017, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was alerted to possible criminal violations related to the victim’s settlement money. A Forensic Accountant at the District Attorney’s Office analyzed Reed’s bank account statements and determined that Reed had spent the entire $400,000 on himself. Thereafter, felony grand theft by embezzlement charges were filed against Reed.

The case went to trial on October 13, 2023. Deputy District Attorney Scott Prosser had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that Reed was not entitled to the victim’s settlement money for attorney’s fees A key piece of evidence presented to the jury during the trial was the document stating that Reed’s fees would be paid by PG&E and not the victims.

The jury deliberated for a few hours and convicted Reed on two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and a white collar crime enhancement, establishing illegal possession of over $100,000. Reed faces imprisonment for three years and eight months and will be sentenced on January 10, 2024, by

Superior Court Judge Charles Treat.

Deputy District Attorney Prosser, after the verdict, stated, “It is unconscionable for an attorney to lead a client to believe they were not responsible for attorney’s fees, and then take 100 % of the client’s money from a settlement agreement. And we are very pleased with the outcome in our fight to seek justice for the

victims in this case.”.

During chase from SF to Martinez Concord man throws bombs at police

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Photo source: SFPOA

Started as assault on parishioner inside church

Arrested for attempted murder, multiple explosives charges, assault on an officer, more

Has a history of arrests dating to 2011; CHP assists

By San Francisco Police Department

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at approximately 5:52 pm, San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Filbert Street on a report of a person who had assaulted someone at the location and had reportedly brandished a knife.

According to a post on the SF Police Officers Association Facebook page, the assault occurred at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. According to an NBC Bay Area news report  police say it started when Garcia punched a parishioner inside the church during mass for refusing to give him money.

Officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival, witnesses directed officers to the suspect with what the SFPOA reports was an improvised explosive device. He had entered a vehicle and was fleeing the area. Officers initiated a pursuit. The suspect failed to yield to pursuing officers.  During the pursuit, the suspect threw two improvised explosive devices out of the car window at pursuing officers. In a later press conference, Assistant Police Chief David Lazar said officers could feel the impact of the explosions during the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto the freeway, and officers from the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit. The pursuit came to an end in Martinez, CA where officers from the CHP took the suspect into custody.

The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Concord resident Daniel Garcia. Garcia was booked at San Francisco County Jail on the following charges:

664/211 PC(attempted robbery), 245(a)(1) PC (aggravated assault), three counts of  664/187 PC (attempted murder), three counts of 69 PC (assault on an officer), 2800.2 CVC (reckless evasion), three counts of 12305 H&S unlawful possession of explosive device, three counts of 18715(a) PC (possession of explosive device in public), three counts of 18725 PC (transporting explosive devices), two counts of 18740 PC (setting off explosive with the intent to harm), two counts of 18745 PC (igniting explosive device with the intent to commit murder), 148(a)(1) PC (resisting/delaying arrest), and 21453(a) CVC (disobey red light).

While an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department Special Investigations Division-Arson Unit are handling this investigation. Also, according to the NBC Bay Area report no one was injured and that police and a bomb squad spent most of the day Monday searching Garcia’s Concord home.

NBC Bay Area reported he was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text  a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

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”.