Contra Costa Herald

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

Concord PD’s K9 Rico finds hidden firearm after foot pursuit

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Concord Police K9 Rico with the confiscated gun and magazine. Photo: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

Recently, officers from a neighboring agency pursued a suspect who was believed to be armed. After the suspect was safely taken into custody, officers requested assistance from our K9 team to search the area for any discarded evidence.

K9 Rico, who is specially trained in locating firearms, tracked the suspect’s path and located a loaded handgun with an extended magazine hidden between some tires near where the suspect was arrested.

Great work by K9 Rico and his handler for helping ensure our community stays safe!

45-year-old felon arrested for Brentwood business burglary

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Mario Delgado of Brentwood was on felony probation, has a history of arrests, held on $50K bail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 8800 block of Brentwood Blvd. in response to an alarm call at a local business.

Upon arrival, officers discovered an open door but did not locate anyone inside the premises. Officers reviewed the business’s video surveillance footage, which showed a male suspect inside the business stealing items.

A short time later, a Brentwood Sergeant located the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mario Raphael Delgado of Brentwood (born 4/18/1980), a short distance from the burglarized business. Delgado was found to have an outstanding felony warrant and was on felony probation at the time of arrest.

Delgado was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on charges related to the burglary and the outstanding warrant.

The Brentwood Police Department remains committed to protecting local businesses. Had it not been for the video surveillance and the quick response by officers, the suspect may not have been arrested.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, five-feet, eight inches tall, 175-pound Delgado is Hispanic, but also listed as white, and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15 at 8:30 AM in Superior Court in Pittsburg.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Fremont PD, and the Sheriff’s Departments of Tulare, Fresno, El Dorado and Contra Costa counties for crimes including carjacking, vandalism, DUI, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, addict in possession of firearm, carrying a concealed firearm – pistol, revolver, other, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, purchasing or receiving a firearm knowing that he is prohibited by restraining order or injunction and intoxicated in public.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Danville teacher from Concord convicted of sex crimes against minors

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Nicholas Brandon Moseby. Photo source: The Rob Harvey on Facebook

Allows a judge to impose longer sentence

Previously convicted of the same crimes, 41-year-old Nicholas Brandon Moseby also worked as cheerleader instructor in San Ramon

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

Martinez, California – A Contra Costa County jury today found that aggravating circumstances applied in the case of Nicholas Brandon Moseby, a former middle school teacher and cheerleading instructor previously convicted of sex crimes against minors.

The 41-year-old Concord man was found guilty on October 17th, 2025, following the first phase of his bifurcated trial. The convictions included one felony count of lewd acts upon a child, one felony count of distributing or showing pornography to a minor, and three misdemeanor counts involving child molestation and sexual battery. Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on one felony count of committing a lewd act upon a child, while Moseby was found not guilty on a separate charge of the same offense.

In the second phase of the trial today, the jury determined that the following aggravating factors applied to Moseby’s conviction:

  • The victim was particularly vulnerable
  • The crimes demonstrated planning and sophistication
  • He exploited a position of trust to commit the offenses

The jury did not reach agreement on whether Moseby’s prior convictions showed a pattern of increasing seriousness, and Judge John W. Kennedy declared a mistrial on that specific factor.

These true findings by the jury will allow a judge to impose a longer sentence when Moseby appears for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. on December 19th at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez.

The case originated in September 2022 when a minor victim reported incidents to authorities. Following an investigation by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, additional victims came forward. Moseby was arrested on September 14, 2022, and charged two days later, after he reportedly sent a girl videos on Snapchat showing himself masturbating and the parents of his victim reported to police.  Deputy District Attorney Jessica Murad prosecuted the case.

At the time of his arrest, Moseby was employed as a biology teacher at Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville and as a cheerleading instructor at Nor Cal Elites in San Ramon. (See related article)

“The victims have traveled a long road to justice,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “This jury’s verdict opens a path toward healing from the trauma — not only for the victims, but for the

broader community as well.”

Case Number: 01-22-01583 | The People of the State of California v. Nicholas Brandon Moseby

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Bay Point homicide victim identified as husband of suspect

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Victim Brian Utt from a post on his Facebook page May 20, 2025, and his suspect wife Libelyn Taculod “Jingjing” Utt from a post on her Facebook page Sept. 22, 2017.

64-year-old Brian Lee Utt stabbed to death by wife known as Jingjing Utt

By Allen D. Payton

According to Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa Sheriff-Coroner, thev victim in the stabbing death on Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2025, was identified as “Brian Lee Utt, 64 years old, out of Bay Point.”

As previously reported, t 11:26 a.m. that day, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a medical-police call at a residence on Solano Court in Bay Point.

Deputies entered the home finding a man bleeding from stab wounds. They provided first aid until the fire department and an ambulance arrived on scene. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The suspect, believed to be the victim’s wife, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. She is identified as 57-year-old Libelyn Taculod Utt of Bay Point. She was booked on a murder charge and is being held without bail.

According to a member of Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, the Utts attended the church and Mr. Utt helped lead a men’s Bible Study there and Libelyn’s nickname is Jingjing.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Antioch woman arrested in Brentwood for illegal gun, large quantity of drugs

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Un-serialized loaded gun found near the suspect’s vehicle and seized during arrest. Photo: Brentwood PD

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse held on $100,000 bail; celebrating her birthday in jail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Brentwood officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of Lone Tree Way in response to a report of a suspicious circumstance. The reporting party stated they heard gunshots in a commercial parking lot and associated the sounds with a parked vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers detained three subjects near the vehicle in question. During the investigation, officers located an un-serialized loaded firearm and a spent casing near the vehicle. A large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics sales were also found.

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse of Antioch (born 10/28/82) was arrested for multiple firearm-related offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as possession of narcotics for sale. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot tall, 125-pound Greenhouse is Hispanic, is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $100,000 bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Superior Court in Martinez on Nov. 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Walnut Creek residential burglary duo arrested, charged

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Screenshots of surveillance video show Jeremy Arellano and Rae Mone during the residential burglary of a Walnut Creek home in September. Both Mones (right) and Arellano were arrested on Oct. 21. Source & photo by Walnut Creek PD

Community assistance leads to identification of Concord man and Oakland woman with history of arrests

By Walnut Creek Police Department

On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, a residential burglary occurred in the area of Citrus Avene and Perada Drive. We requested the community’s help in identifying the two suspects involved in the burglary.

Thanks to the community’s assistance in identifying the suspects, as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, both individuals have been taken into custody. We appreciate your help!

On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed 459 PC- Residential Burglary charges against Jeremy S. Arellano, a 36-year-old resident of Concord, and Rae Lynne Mones, a 47-year-old resident of Oakland (born 3/4/78) in relation to the Perada Drive and Citrus Avenue residential burglary.

Mones was charged with being an addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a silencer, buying, selling or possession of a firearm without identification numbers and an unspecified offense.

Once again, we would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support in assisting with the suspects identification.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, seven inch tall, 175-pound Mones is Hispanic, but also listed as white. She is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $51,500 bail and her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Mones has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including Martinez and San Pablo PD and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglar’s tools, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, lying to police, receiving or concealing stolen property, driving while license is suspended, unlawful use of willfully obtained personal identifying information, addict in possession of firearm, possession of ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession of personal identifying information of another person with intent to defraud.

According to localcrimenews.com, Arellano was also arrested on June 5 by Walnut Creek Police for taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and on Oct. 3 by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department on a warrants or holds only.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Quick response leads to 4 arrests at Concord shopping center

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The stolen merchandise recovered (center and four suspects. Photos: Concord PD

Juveniles suspected of stealing $3,400 in merchandise; Pleasant Hill PD assists

By Concord Police Department

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, officers responded to a report of four subjects running toward the exit after stealing merchandise from a local store. When officers arrived, the suspects fled in different directions—but our officers quickly pursued and apprehended all four juvenile suspects. All four were booked and then transported to Juvenile Hall.

All stolen merchandise—valued at approximately $3,400—was recovered. Detectives are investigating whether these individuals are connected to other recent high-value thefts from the same store over the past two weeks.

A big thank you to Pleasant Hill PD for their assistance!

Thanks to the quick response and teamwork, another theft was stopped, and our community remains a little safer.

Pinole company learns employee is a felon, arrested for possession of “ghost” guns

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The ghost guns and ammunition seized from the suspect’s work van. Photo: Pinole PD

Clarence Odell Cortez of Lathrop hid them in work van; 5th arrest in 3 years all on weapons, drug charges; already bonded out of custody

By Pinole Police Department

Officers in Action. Looks like someone took the Halloween spirit a little too far! An employer’s surprise check uncovered a felon with ghost guns hiding in a work van.

An employer was doing a spot check of one of their employees at a job site in the 1400 block of Fitzgerald Drive and learned the employee was a convicted felon in possession of a rifle in the company work van. Pinole officers responded and the employee was safely detained. During a search of the company van, a ghost (unserialized) rifle and ghost pistol with matching ammunition was located in the van.

Clarence Odell Cortez of Lathrop, CA was arrested for multiple felony charges including felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Our officers handled it quickly and thankfully the only thing disappearing was the suspect’s freedom!

According to localcrimenews.com, Cortez was previously arrested four times in 2023 and 2024, three times by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and once by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department. Charges included possession of burglar’s tools, addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, felony committed while released on bail or own recognizance, carrying a loaded firearm – previous felony conviction, possession of an assault weapon, convicted felon carrying a concealed firearm, violent felon in possession of body armor, short-barrel firearm sentencing, manufacturing, distributing, transporting, importing, selling or giving an assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of 8:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24 he had bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

4 arrested for illegal drug manufacturing, distribution operation in Pittsburg

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A Con Fire hazmat team leaves the house where the operation was located. Bags of counterfeit prescription pills and a mask were confiscated. Video screenshots by Pittsburg PD

Each held on $2 million bail; Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies and helicopter, Antioch PD, Con Fire hazmat team assist

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2025, our SIU (Special Investigations Unit) detectives, along with patrol officers, served a search warrant at a Pittsburg residence connected to an illegal narcotics manufacturing and distribution operation. While those involved may have imagined themselves as criminal masterminds, the reality was far less impressive—and now their operation has been shut down.

Four suspects were detained and later booked on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, sales and manufacturing of controlled substances. Their criminal enterprise has been dismantled.

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to STARR1, our partners at the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Antioch Police Department, and to Contra Costa Fire’s hazmat team for ensuring the safety of both our officers and the surrounding community throughout the operation.

Personnel from multiple agencies assisted in the effort.

Most importantly, SIU detectives seized more than 100,000 counterfeit prescription pills—approximately 70 pounds—many of which likely contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, or other dangerous substances. These pills were intended for distribution on our streets, and their removal undoubtedly prevented potential overdoses, injuries, and deaths in our community.

Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, 2025, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on all four individuals, with bail set at over $2 million each.

 

Woman arrested for stabbing man to death in Bay Point home

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Believed to be her husband; 57-year-old Libelyn Utt held on no bail

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

Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, at about 11:26, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a medical-police call at a residence on Solano Court in Bay Point.

Deputies entered the home finding a man bleeding from stab wounds. They provided first aid until the fire department and an ambulance arrived on scene. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The suspect, believed to be the victim’s wife, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. She is identified as 57-year-old Libelyn Taculod Utt of Bay Point (born 8/7/68). She was booked on a murder charge and is being held without bail.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, she is five-feet and one-inch tall, 115-pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, and is Asian-Pacific Islander.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit are continuing the investigation. There are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the public. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.