Contra Costa Herald

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

Pleasant Hill man arrested for attempted sexual abuse of minor

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Peter Joseph Digangi. Photo: Pleasant Hill PD

Arranged meeting with 13-year-old boy

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

In August of 2023, Pleasant Hill Police Detectives participated in an operation with the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in a proactive online investigation.

On August 16, 2023 Peter Joseph Digangi (age 65 of Pleasant Hill, CA) engaged in an explicit online conversation and sent obscene materials to an undercover agent who was posing as a 13-year-old boy on a social media/dating application. Digangi arranged to meet with who he believed to be a 13-year-old boy and was arrested by police upon arrival. A search warrant for Digangi’s home and electronic devices was granted by a Superior Court magistrate. The search yielded numerous electronic/storage devices and a preliminary examination of those devices yielded child sexual assault material. Digangi was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple felony charges.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Digangi for violations of 288.4(b) PC- Meeting with a minor for lewd/lascivious acts, 288.3 (a) PC- Contacting a minor for lewd/lascivious acts, 664/288(a) PC- Attempted lewd/lascivious acts with minor under 14, 288.2(a)(1) PC- Sending explicit/obscene material to a minor, and 311.11(c)(1) PC- Possession of 600+ images of child pornography including at least 10 images of children under age 12.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department routinely participates in these operations in order to identify and arrest suspects who target minors. This is a good reminder to parents and young teens about the potential dangers associated to activity on social media/online platforms.

We would like to thank our local and federal partners who participated on this operation.

If you have any questions, tips, or believe you may be a victim in a case such as this, please contact PHPD Investigations at 925-288-4600 or PDInvestigations@Pleasanthillpd.org.

Suspect arrested for armed robbery of mail carrier in Concord

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By Concord Police Department

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, you may have seen a large Concord Police Department presence in the Blackfield Drive area of Concord and later in the City of Vallejo. We’d like to tell you why.

One of our local US Postal Service mail carriers was robbed at gun point while delivering mail to our residents of Concord. Through witness statements, video surveillance, and other investigative leads, our Patrol Officers and Detectives of our Investigations Division identified the suspect vehicle and involved persons.

Last night at about 10 PM, our Patrol officers located the suspect vehicle driving in Concord and initiated a high-risk felony stop on Blackfield Drive with the assistance of STARR 3, Air Support Unit – Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff. Several subjects were detained and taken into custody for various crimes.

Our Detectives also identified a related suspect house in the City of Vallejo and our Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT Team served a search warrant early this morning, resulting in the recovery of evidence related to the armed robbery.

We would like to thank our residents in the community who called in suspicious activity in their neighborhood and provided valuable information to our investigators.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Rutland, Major Crimes Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 603-5853 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826

Brentwood man arrested, charged for discharging firearm in Walnut Creek

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Suspect Eric Clausen placed in the back of a police vehicle on August 16, 2023. WCPD video screenshot.

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

On August 16, 2023, at about 9:13pm, Walnut Creek Police Department received a call of a vehicle driving recklessly on N. Main Street traveling toward the City of Pleasant Hill, and the driver was reportedly holding a gun. A short time later, a witness called Dispatch to report a male crashed his vehicle in a shopping center located at 2900 N. Main Street, then discharged a gun in the air several times after exiting the vehicle. A Walnut Creek Police Officer in the area heard the gunfire and was on scene within seconds, but the suspect fled the area on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and began a search, which included the use of drones and assistance from a CHP helicopter.

At approximately 10:21pm, a WCPD Officer located the suspect behind a nearby business and the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident. The firearm involved in this case was later located by officers. There were no reported injuries to the suspect, officers, or anyone in the area.

Eric Ross Clausen, a 30-year-old Hispanic male from Brentwood (born 5/21/93), was arrested for various weapons violations and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of August 31 the 5-foot-11-inch, 160-lb suspect was still in custody at the West County Detention Center being held on $100,000 bail.

On August 18th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against Clausen:

PC 29800(a)(1) – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

PC 246.3(a) – Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence

PC 25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

West County: One dead in Saturday night Rodeo shooting

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

On Saturday, August 26, 2023, at about 10:34 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance call on the 100 block of Rodeo Avenue in Rodeo. At about the same time, dispatch received several calls of shots being fired in the area.

Deputies arrived and located a person who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The fire department responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and is not being identified at this time.

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, the victim was a mother with an eight-year-old son.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

16-year-old suspect arrested after chase from Contra Costa to SF and back, striking CHP K9

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Photo by CHP.

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

A 16-year-old male is in custody after fleeing from a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy and striking a California Highway Patrol (CHP) canine.

On Friday, August 25, 2023, at approximately 3:20 p.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Oakland Area Office were advised of a white Infinity sedan that had fled from CCSO Deputies.  The deputy had attempted to stop the vehicle on Hwy 4 in Hercules for a vehicle code violation, but the driver refused to stop and fled from the deputy.  After a brief pursuit, a CCSO helicopter arrived overhead, and the deputy discontinued his pursuit. Despite having no law enforcement pursuing him, the suspect continued driving recklessly, now traveling westbound on I-80 toward Oakland.  After crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the suspect exited into San Francisco and began driving recklessly on city streets.

A CHP helicopter arrived overhead shortly after the vehicle entered San Francisco and was able to provide updates to officers in the area.  At one point, the Infinity collided with other vehicles and came to a stop.  CHP officers nearby were on scene soon after and believed the suspect was now boxed in.  Believing the suspect might run from officers, a CHP officer retrieved his canine partner, Champ, from his vehicle.  As the officer prepared Champ for deployment, the suspect drove toward them, striking Champ and another vehicle.

The suspect re-entered the SFOBB and began traveling eastbound on I-80 toward Oakland.  Two CHP officers briefly attempted to stop the suspect vehicle as it traveled across the bridge but discontinued due to the suspect’s reckless disregard for the safety of others on the roadway.  A CHP helicopter continued following the suspect as he traveled into Richmond and eventually abandoned his vehicle near Booker T. Anderson Jr. Park.  The suspect ran into a nearby apartment complex where he hid from pursuing officers.

Law enforcement from the CHP, CCSO, and the Richmond Police Department (RPD) quickly responded to the scene and formed a perimeter around the building.  Law enforcement initially provided numerous commands for the suspect to surrender, however he refused to come out.  Shortly after 9 p.m., officers utilized vehicle loud speakers to call out for the suspect to surrender or they would begin entering apartments to locate him.  Soon after, the suspect emerged from the apartment and surrendered.  The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was taken into custody without incident.  Following his arrest, the juvenile was booked into a local juvenile hall on numerous misdemeanor and felony charges.

After being struck by the suspect on city streets in San Francisco, K9 Champ was transported to an emergency vet where he received excellent care.  We are pleased to say that Champ sustained no major injuries and is expected to recover.  We would like to thank the incredible staff who made sure Champ was well taken care of after this incident. Even though he doesn’t want to, Champ will be taking a little time off to recover and make sure he’s back to 100% before he’s back out on the streets doing what he does best (the last photo shows Champ recovering at home today).

We would like to thank our law enforcement partners from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Richmond Police Department as well as the Richmond Fire Department for their assistance in bringing this incident to a successful and uneventful conclusion.  We would also like to thank the residents who were evacuated from their homes for their patience as we did everything we could to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Names of four Martinez cops in officer-involved shooting at cannabis business released

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Mayor, council members release statement – “this situation exacerbates our ongoing staffing challenges in the Police Department”

By City of Martinez

As previously reported, on August 18, 2023, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.

Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital.

Based on the investigation, it is believed that four Martinez police officers discharged their firearms in this incident. The four officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy.

One of the civilians in the incident who was transported to the hospital is deceased.

The officers involved in this shooting have been identified as: Officer Cole Bennett, Officer Marc Kahue, Officer Raul Ceja-Mendez and Officer Alexander Tirona. All officers were assigned to patrol at the time of the incident. The California Department of Justice, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506, is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force by each officer in this incident. I unequivocally support their investigation and the police department is fully cooperating. I am confident they will find the answers to many of the questions that have been raised and provide us all with an understanding as to what happened.

At the conclusion of their investigation, DOJ will provide a public report containing their determinations regarding the lawfulness of the use of force as well as their findings and recommendations regarding the policies and practices of the Martinez Police Department.

The Martinez Police Department initiated a separate administrative investigation into this incident. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether the use of force by each officer complied with department policies and procedures. An outside firm is conducting this investigation.

These investigations will both take time, but it is critical they are able to accomplish their respective tasks carefully, comprehensively and independently, based on facts and the evidence.

The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras. Generally, the body-worn video is subject to release within 45 days following the incident, with certain exceptions. The department intends to release the videos within the 45 days.

Mayor, Councilmembers Issue Statement

In response Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn and Councilmembers issued the following statement on Friday, August 25:

Today, the Department of Justice released the names of our four officers involved in the August 18th shooting at the Velvet Cannabis Dispensary. We acknowledge and understand the public’s interest in the ongoing investigations conducted separately by the Department of Justice for use of force, and an outside investigations firm for administrative policy compliance. We trust that these processes will arrive at the truth and remain committed to transparency as both investigations continue. These investigations will take time to complete, and we request patience as the information is compiled, analyzed, and evaluated by the appropriate independent authorities to ultimately determine the findings.

We recognize that this situation exacerbates our ongoing staffing challenges in the Police Department and are exploring all available resources and options to continue to keep our community safe and respond to all crimes in progress.

Brianne Zorn, Mayor

Mark Ross, Vice Mayor

Debbie McKillop, Councilmember

Jay Howard, Councilmember

Satinder S. Malhi, Councilmember

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Vallejo man arrested for attempted murder, gun charges in Lafayette freeway shooting

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Guns confiscated during arrest of Lafayette shooting suspect on August 22, 2023. Photo: CHP

Has history of arrests

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

Detectives assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division (GGD) Special Investigations Unit (SIU), with the assistance of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), arrested 24-year-old Damari Monice Calvin of Vallejo on Tuesday for his involvement in a freeway shooting that occurred in Contra Costa County. (See related article)

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at approximately 11 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office responded to a report of shots fired on westbound Hwy 24 near Pleasant Hill Road. As officers were responding, witnesses called 9-1-1 to report two vehicles near the Central Lafayette off ramp that appeared to be involved in a shooting. As the vehicles were slowing to exit, one of the vehicles collided with an uninvolved Ford that was also exiting. The occupants of both involved vehicles subsequently fled the scene. The occupants of the uninvolved Ford were not injured.

Detectives assigned to the GGD SIU responded to the scene of the shooting and assumed investigative responsibility. The subsequent investigation identified Calvin as a suspect in the shooting, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

On Tuesday, August 22, at approximately 5 a.m., a CHP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, accompanied by CHP canine teams, CHP detectives, and members of the ACSO investigations unit successfully executed a search and arrest warrant on Calvin and his residence in Vallejo, CA. Five additional people inside the apartment were detained and later arrested in connection with a separate investigation into numerous robberies and stolen vehicles. A search of the premises lead to the discovery of numerous illegal firearms, including two ghost gun assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and a stolen vehicle.

Following his arrest, Calvin was booked into Contra Costa County Jail on charges of 664/187 PC – attempted murder, 246 PC – discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, and 245(a)(2) PC – assault with a firearm.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 5’10”, 150 lb. Calvin has a history of arrests dating back to 2017 by multiple agencies for crimes including concealing a weapon in a vehicle, kidnapping, assault with a firearm, child endangerment, burglary, addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and drug possession.

The CHP would like to thank the witnesses who provided detectives with critical information that lead to the identification and subsequent arrest of Calvin for these brazen and dangerous crimes. We would also like to thank the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and support in bringing Calvin to justice.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man pleads guilty to leading organized theft of lottery scratchers

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Has history of arrests by multiple agencies; group committed more than 100 thefts in 7 counties

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and officials with the California State Lottery announced today that Ryan Anderson plead guilty to nine felony charges as the ringleader of a sophisticated organized retail theft ring.

The 32-year-old Antioch resident (born 1/18/91) was the mastermind behind a group responsible for committing more than 100 organized retail crime thefts from stores authorized to sell California Lottery Scratchers and redeem winning Scratcher tickets for prize money. Anderson, and other associated with him, targeted convenience and grocery stores throughout the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Stanislaus.

“Organized retail crime is serious a crime that will not be tolerated in our communities,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “We will continue to work with our retailers and all of our state and local justice partners to hold these offenders accountable with arrest, prosecution, conviction, incarceration, and full restitution.”

By early 2022, the California State Lottery investigators — working with multiple law enforcement agencies and Contra Costa DA’s Major Financial Crimes division — identified Anderson as the ringleader of a group responsible for 71 separate thefts of lottery tickets valued at a total of $95,565.00 and an additional $59,105.00 in prize money stolen from 65 retail locations across 7 Northern California counties between March 27th, 2022, and October 25, 2022. The retail crime spree stopped when Contra Costa prosecutors were able to keep Anderson in custody.

Under state laws, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute Anderson for all his crimes, even though they occurred in multiple counties. This is because state laws allow a single county to prosecute offenses if a crime — or the effects of a crime — crosses county lines.

During a court hearing in Martinez today, the California State Lottery made a victim impact statement noting that “tens of thousands of dollars” Anderson and others stole victimized not only the California State Lottery, but also its retail partners, many of which are “small, independently owned businesses that rely on the sale of Lottery games to thrive.” Moreover, lottery players were victims who lost out on the opportunity to win, and “public school students who have been robbed of additional funds to support important programs and enriching learning environments.”

The terms of the plea mean that Anderson will spend three years in state prison, admit probation violations, and pay full restitution to the California State Lottery. In court, Anderson presented a letter of apology to the victims of the crimes he committed saying, in part, that he wants to make an “honest living” so he will be able to “pay back any money [that] is owed.”

The lengthy investigation into these incidents was favorable due to the partnerships between the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, the Contra Costa Probation Department, the Security/Law Enforcement Division of the California State Lottery, and the collaborative efforts of dozens of local law enforcement agencies.

According to localcrimenews.com, Anderson, a 5’11”, 170 lb. Black male, has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Antioch PD, Concord PD, Walnut Creek PD, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for a variety of crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, vandalism, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, petty theft, DUI and while license suspended, and burglary.

Case No. 04-22-01154 | The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan

Case No. 04-203281-1| The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Four Martinez cops placed on leave, suspect dead following shooting at cannabis dispensary

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During early Friday morning response; assault on officer reported

By Martinez Police Department

On August 18, 2023, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.

Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital.

Additional law enforcement agencies responded to secure the scene. The Martinez Police Department initiated an investigation with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in accordance with the countywide protocol for officer-involved shootings. One officer is receiving treatment at the hospital for what is believed to be a minor injury.

Based on the investigation, it is believed that four Martinez police officers discharged their firearms in this incident. The four officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy.

One of the civilians in the incident who was transported to the hospital is deceased. In accordance with Assembly Bill 1506 (https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents), the Martinez Police Department notified the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The CADOJ is leading the investigation and will independently review the officer-involved shooting.

The investigating agencies have responded with extensive resources to determine exactly what took place. The area where the incident occurred remained closed while crime scene investigators collect evidence. The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras and footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

The investigation is in its early stages and ongoing. Our understanding of the incident may change as more individuals are interviewed and evidence is collected and analyzed.

If you have information regarding this incident, please contact Investigations at 925-372-3450.

 

 

DA charges five Antioch, Pittsburg officers with obstruction of justice, bribery for fixing traffic tickets

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Face six complaints; three APD personnel arrested Thursday now on unpaid leave

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

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced Friday, August 18, 2023, the filing of charges against five officers who engaged in a criminal conspiracy and accepted bribes for voiding the citations of friends while serving as sworn police officers for the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments.

“The charges set forth in these complaints allege offenses of public corruption,” said District Attorney Becton. “As District Attorney for Contra Costa County, my role is to seek justice and work on solutions to improve our communities. The legal action we’ve taken here today reflects that commitment.”

In all, six complaints were filed in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The alleged offenses center on fixing traffic violations of associates of sworn peace officers. The defendants are: former Antioch officer Timothy Manly Williams and current officers Calvin Prieto, Andrea Rodriguez and Ben Padilla and former Pittsburg officer Juan Ernesto Mejia-Orozco.

On March 22, 2022, state and federal investigators obtained search warrants for the cell phones of a number of officers. During a forensic analysis of the phones, investigators uncovered evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which culminated in conspiracy to obstruct justice and bribery.

Timothy Manly-Williams also faces a federal criminal indictment related to violations that arose out of a joint DA/FBI investigation.

In addition to the criminal conduct, a large trove of overtly racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages was uncovered. The conduct of the officers has compromised a number of cases and triggered scrutiny under the California Racial Justice Act (PC 745).

As previously reported, Manly-Williams, who is no longer with APD, and Mejia-Orozco, were indicted on Wednesday and arrested Thursday following the FBI investigation, along with two current and two former Antioch officers as well as one current Antioch community service officer and one current and two former Pittsburg officers.

In a Friday evening email, Acting Antioch City Manager Kwame Reed wrote, “All staff members that received federal indictment have been placed on unpaid administrative leave.” They include Officers Morteza Amiri and Eric Allen Rombough and Community Service Officer Samantha Genoveva Peterson.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.