Contra Costa Herald

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

Oakley pizza delivery driver shot and killed identified

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Gabriel Stewart. Source: GoFundMe

GoFundMe account established to support mother of Freedom High grad, Los Medanos College student; police seek suspect

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa Coroner has identified the pizza delivery driver who was shot and killed in his car in front of his Oakley home on Wednesday night, Dec. 20, 2023 as Gabriel Stewart. (See related article)

Police still seek the suspect in the homicide.

A GoFundMe account was established on Friday by Court Russ to support Stewart’s mother and offers details about the young man’s life:

“This fundraiser is being organized to support Carol Stewart, during this overwhelmingly difficult time, following the tragic death of her only son, Gabriel, who was just 24 years young. It is my hope and intention that we can collectively provide monetary support so Gabriel’s mother and family can focus their time and attention on their grieving process, under these extremely difficult circumstances.

Words cannot express the tremendous depth of heartache that Gabe’s mother and family are enduring. Just last weekend they gathered for their annual gingerbread house decorating contest and holiday festivities, and now – when they should be preparing for Christmas together- his family is instead planning a funeral and grieving the loss of their son/brother/uncle.

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To give some insight to the young man that Gabe was and the things that brought him joy in life, his family shared the following…

“He was Gabe to us….he loved his family, was a devoted son, brother and uncle. He was a wonderful friend. There are no words to describe how much he loved his mom and siblings.

Gabe was funny and had a competitive spirit, infectious laugh and loved to hang with friends and family. He had a large group of friends who he played basketball with and went to the movies & played video games with. (He loved playing Apex Legends and Madden on X-box!)

He loved the 49ers, especially Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. He was also a devoted fan of Russell Westbrook, following his career and whatever basketball team he played for.

Gabe was really into Jujutsu Kaisen and would get so excited every Thursday when a new episode would come out, watching it first and then running to tell his sister about it.

He was also a HUGE fan of Naruto and just finished re-watching the whole series, and loved, loved, loved Naruto!!

He loved riding his bike around town, discovering new places and going on vacation.

Gabe graduated from Freedom High School and was in his final semester at Los Medanos College before transferring to Cal State East Bay. He was employed as a delivery driver with Dominoes for the past 4+ years as he worked his way through college.

Gabe loved music, loved cats & hated spiders! He had a sweet tooth and loved chocolate!

We miss him immensely.”

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Please keep Gabriel’s family in your prayers. If it is on your heart to do so, please contribute any amount that you are able. Your consideration is appreciated more than words can possibly express.

On behalf of the Stewart family, thank you for reading, sharing and words of support.

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As of Saturday morning, Dec. 23, $4,983 had been contributed toward the effort’s $10,000 goal.

Pizza delivery driver dies from multiple gunshots in Oakley

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His mother witnessed it happen in front of their home; police ask help identifying suspect

By Chief Paul Beard, Oakley Police Department

On December 20, 2023, at approximately 4:52 PM, Oakley police officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Rutherford Lane on several reports of shots being fired. Oakley officers arrived at approximately 4:54 PM and found a 24-year-old in his vehicle, which was parked on the street in front of his home. Our officers noticed the male was suffering from gunshot wounds and began providing lifesaving medical aid. During this process our officers noticed additional gunshot wounds on the victim. As per normal procedures Emergency Medical Service units arrived and took over the life saving efforts. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at 5:03 PM.

The Oakley Police Investigations Unit was called to the scene as was our Crime Scene Investigator and the Crime Lab of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

So far, our investigation is yielding a vehicle pulled alongside the victim while he was sitting in his parked vehicle, and on a break while delivering pizzas. A passenger of the vehicle, that just arrived, shot the victim at close range while the victim was still inside his vehicle. The passenger then got back into the vehicle, that had just arrived, and left the area by travelling west on Rutherford Lane and then turning north onto Vintage Parkway.

We are seeking the assistance of the public. If you believe you witnessed anything suspicious or unusual in the 1400 Block of Rutherford Lane, intersection of Rutherford Lane/Vintage Parkway or at Vintage Parkway School or if you had a surveillance system running in these areas between 4:00 PM – 5:05 PM please notify our dispatch at 925-625-8060. Detective Dombrouski is the case agent; he can be reached at 1-925-325-6670 or at dombrouski@ci.oakley.ca.us.

I was on the scene of the aftermath of this horrendous crime. I spoke to a mother who unknowingly watched her son get shot in front of his own home and I met with other family representatives that showed the utmost respect for their lost loved one. This crime happened in a relatively quiet area of Oakley and right across from a school – an area where we do not expect violence to occur.

There is absolutely zero excuse for what happened tonight. When you consider the victim’s family witnessed this act and when you take into account the time of the year, we are in it makes this all that more sad.

We are still in the early stages of this investigation, and we still do not know everything we need to know. At this hour I do not have a solid suspect description to share with you, but the detectives of the Oakley Police Department will be working hard on this case, and I will share any pertinent information I can in the days to come. If you believe you know anything, please call us.

I have said this before and it rings true tonight again, this type of violence does not belong in Oakley. This case is now the top priority of our Investigations Unit and the Oakley Police Department as a whole will work diligently to identify the suspect(s) in this case and bring justice to the victim.”

Hercules traffic stop leads to arrest for unregistered firearm

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Loaded unregistered gun discovered and confiscated on Dec. 11, 2023. Photos: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

Can you spot the firearm? Swipe to see if you would have located it… good eye, Officer.

On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at approximately 1:53 AM an officer conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Malibu on Willow Ave at Hawthorne Drive. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed the barrel of a silver and black firearm protruding from underneath a jacket on the front passenger seat.

The driver was detained, and a search of the vehicle was conducted. The search revealed a loaded, silver and black Springfield XD-M 40 pistol. The firearm was unregistered. The driver was arrested for firearm violations and booked in jail.

 

Stolen vehicle stop leads to 600 lbs. of stolen AT&T copper wire in San Pablo

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Stolen wire and car recovered on Dec. 14, 2023. Photos: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

This is how you get on Santa’s naughty list!!!

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, officers were patrolling our city and located a stolen vehicle driving around. They were able to stop the vehicle and contacted three subjects inside. All three subjects were detained and while searching the vehicle, officers located approximately 600 lbs. of copper wire.

An AT&T representative responded and identified it as stolen AT&T wire and stated that it was worth approx. $10,000.00 dollars. These suspects earned themselves a spot on Santa’s naughty list and were booked into county jail. The copper wire was returned to AT&T and the vehicle to its owner.

 

Contra Costa Sheriff warns of scam by fake department employee

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Please be aware of a scam targeting our community. The scam involves an individual posing as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office who calls unsuspecting residents.

The scammer informs the resident that they have an active warrant and must immediately make a payment to avoid legal consequences.

It is important to note that the scammer is utilizing technology to manipulate caller ID systems, making it appear that the calls originate from legitimate Sheriff’s Office phone numbers.

We urge all residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies will never demand immediate payments over the phone (typically through gift cards) or threaten arrest for unpaid fees or fines.

Stay informed and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Hang up and never provide private, personal information.

 

Walnut Creek suspicious death in November now investigated as homicide

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By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

On November 27th, 2023, at approximately 3:09 PM, Walnut Creek Police patrol officers were dispatched to a suspicious death in the 1900 block of Camino Verde Circle. Walnut Creek Police Detectives responded to the scene and investigated the case as a suspicious death. Detectives have officially classified this case as a homicide and are investigating it as such.

At this time, we are not revealing the identity of the victim. However, the next of kin has been notified. WCPD Detectives are following up on all leads at this time.

If anyone has any information about this case, please contact Detective Nick Olson at olson@walnutcreekpd.com or call the anonymous tip line (925) 943-5865. Case #: 23-37597

Concord PD asks public’s help to ID suspect in sexual assault

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Video surveillance photo of suspect in Concord sexual assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Source: Concord PD

Special Victims Unit needs your help

By Concord Police Department

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 10:17 AM, the male in the attached photograph sexually assaulted a female in the pedestrian tunnel under Hwy 242 connecting Franquette Avenue and Market Street. The male may frequent the area around Home Depot (2090 Meridian Park Blvd., Concord).

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this male may contact Detective David Boucher with CPD’s Special Victims Unit at 925-603-5876. CPD Case #23-11048. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

Brentwood traffic stop leads to DUI, gun arrest of Antioch woman, Oakland man

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Her third DUI arrest this year; cited and released

By Brentwood Police Department

Alcohol and stolen gun confiscated during traffic stop on Dec. 10, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD

Last weekend, on December 10, 2023, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Heidorn Ranch and Kohl’s Drive when he pulled a car over for not having a front license plate and suspended registration. When he contacted the driver, identified as 20-year-old Arrieanna Renel Snell, Jr. of Antioch, he determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer also noticed an open bottle of tequila behind the passenger’s seat.

Upon contacting the passenger, identified as 23-year-old Jai Royale Williams of Oakland, the officer located a stolen gun in the car.

Snell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and Williams was placed under arrest for being in possession of the stolen gun. Both were transported to the County Jail for booking.

According to vinelink.com, Snell was cited and released and Williams is out of custody with no charges filed.  According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested for driving with a license suspended for drunk driving. Earlier this year, Snell was arrested twice for assault upon a peace officer, DUI alcohol/drugs and for DUI alcohol with blood alcohol content above .08 percent.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Retired Pittsburg cop in Pleasant Hill standoff charged with attempted murder, injuring wife

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

Retired Pittsburg Police officer Chunliam Nai Saechao. Source: Pittsburg PD

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Pleasant Hill resident with nine felony counts for attempted murder of peace officers, assault with a firearm, and injuring a spouse following the standoff last Friday and Saturday. (See related articles here and here)

40-year-old Chunliam Nai Saechao is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility.

He will be arraigned on charges stemming from a December 8th incident whereby Mr. Saechao – a retired Pittsburg Police officer who may have suffered a mental health episode – barricaded himself in his home for almost three days after he shot at his wife while she was trying to gain entrance to their residence.

During the protracted standoff with police, Mr. Saechao shot at officers who were in the process of evacuating residents from nearby homes. Bullets also struck a police vehicle during the evacuation, which had two officers inside. The officers inside the vehicle did not sustain any injuries.

The complaint filed with the court today lists two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer [PC 187(a)], one count of injuring a spouse [PC 273.5(a)], and six counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer or firefighter [PC 245(d)(1)]. The charges also come with enhancements for discharging or using a firearm in the offenses.

CHP pursuit from San Francisco to Bay Point ends in crash, arrests of five

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One of the five suspects from the overturned car surrenders to CHP officers on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Video screenshot

Speeds reached in excess of 120 MPH

By CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations

Early Saturday morning, Dec. 9, 2023, CHP helicopter H30 was requested by San Francisco CHP units to assist in pursuing a vehicle wanted for reckless driving.

The crew of H30 arrived overhead as the vehicle crossed the Oakland Bay Bridge as speeds in excess of 120 mph. The suspect vehicle led officers on a 45-minute pursuit through three counties. (See video)

With H30 overhead, ground units were able to back off to a safe distance and set up spike strips.

After hitting the spike strips, the vehicle lost multiple tires and the driver eventually lost control and crashed. Five occupants in the vehicle were subsequently taken into custody.

CHP Contra Costa is handling the investigation.