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Woman arrested for attempting to steal baby, attempted carjacking in Pleasant Hill

June 13, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

buybuy Baby Pleasant Hill store. Photo by buybuy Baby. Extended Stay America in Pleasant Hill. Photo by PHPD

In buybuy Baby store parking lot

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at about 10:00 AM, Officers were sent to a call that a female subject attempted to take a mother’s baby from her arms in the parking lot of buybuy Baby (at 3250 Buskirk Ave) Officers determined that the female suspect was attempting to steal the victim’s car using force. The mother and baby were not injured. The suspect ran away before officers arrived. Officers located the suspect nearby at Extended Stay America (at 3220 Buskirk Ave). The suspect was arrested and booked into jail for attempt carjacking, PC 215.

This case was presented to the DA’s Office. Charges of attempted carjacking and battery were formally filed against the suspect, who remains in custody.

Filed Under: Central County, Crime, News, Police

Investigation of North Richmond murder, double shooting needs public’s help

June 13, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Vehicle of interest in the North Richmond murder and double shooting on Thursday, June 3, 2021. Photo: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

On June 3, 2021 at approximately 1:38PM, the RPD Communications Center received emergency calls regarding a shooting that had occurred in the 1400 block of Kelsey Street, near the Shields Reid Community Center.

One victim sustained a gunshot wound to his head, and was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition. A second victim was shot in his lower extremity and was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Multiple rifle and pistol casings were located at the scene.

Investigators are seeking additional witnesses who may have seen a white compact sedan in the area at the time of the incident. A ShotSpotter audio of the incident has been released.

6/7/21 UPDATE – HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION ***

Unfortunately, the victim who was airlifted in critical condition has succumbed to his injuries.

If you have further information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Michael Sagan at MSagan@RichmondPD.net or 510-620-6622, or call our tip line at 510-307-T1PS (510-307-8177); you can always remain anonymous while providing information.

#CommunityPolicing  #RichmondPDCali  #RichmondCA

Filed Under: Crime, News, Police, West County

21-year-old man shot in Brentwood shopping center parking lot Thursday, police seek unknown suspects

June 11, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Brentwood Police Department

On Thursday, June 10, 2021 at around 5:31 p.m., Brentwood officers responded to the southwest parking lot of the Streets of Brentwood, located at 2501 Sand Creek Road to investigate a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, preliminary information revealed two shooters associated with two separate vehicles exchanged gunfire. During the exchange of gunfire, a 21-year-old, male, Brentwood resident sustained what appeared to be non-life threatening gunshot wounds and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment.

The two vehicles involved were described as a silver-colored sedan (associated with the person shot) and a black colored sedan with no direction of travel. The suspects associated with the dark colored sedan were described as light-skinned, black or Hispanic males.

Investigative information strongly suggests this was not a random act of violence and there is no threat to public safety. A firearm was recovered from the scene and the motive is unknown, pending further investigation.

No additional information is being released at this time.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Ruth Talley at 925-809-7911

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Contra Costa, three other county DA’s to finalize $400,000 settlement with MoviePass affiliated executives for unlawful business practices

June 7, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Following 2018 complaint filed by Contra Costa County resident with California Attorney General’s Office.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

Martinez, Calif. – On May 20, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the District Attorneys’ Offices of Ventura, Sonoma, and San Joaquin Counties, entered into a negotiated settlement agreement with former MoviePass affiliated executives, Theodore Farnsworth and Mitchell Lowe, for engaging in numerous unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business acts and practices, while overseeing the operations of the now defunct movie theater subscription service. CCCDA MoviePass Documents

In total, Farnsworth and Lowe will have to pay $400,000 in civil penalties and cy pres restitution, as part of the signed Stipulated Judgment approved by the Honorable Nancy Davis Stark. In addition to the monetary payments, Farnsworth and Lowe are enjoined from engaging in any of the alleged unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts or practices committed during their tenure as MoviePass managers. The settlement gets divided by all the DA’s involved and some goes to the state. The DA’s then use the monies for consumer protection activities.

MoviePass, Inc. (MoviePass) was an American subscription-based movie ticket service headquarter in New York City. Founded in 2011, the service initially allowed subscribers to purchase up to three movie tickets per month for a discounted monthly fee. The service utilized a mobile phone app where users checked into a theater and chose a movie and showtime, which resulted in the cost of the ticket being loaded by MoviePass to a prepaid MoviePass debit card, which was then used to purchase the ticket from the movie theater.

In 2017, Helios and Matheson Analytics purchased MoviePass. Around the time of the purchase, the business model for MoviePass, shifted from a three movie per month subscription to offering, among other things, an “unlimited” subscription plan at $9.95 a month and an “unlimited” fixed rate annual subscription. However, over the course of the next two years, the business model and terms of service changed multiple times to the detriment of the consumers.

After the acquisition of MoviePass by Helios and Matheson Analytics, the Defendants engaged in numerous unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent acts and practices. These acts and practices include, but are not limited to:

• Falsely advertising that MoviePass subscriptions offer “unlimited” movie watching. Specifically, “any movie”, “any day”, at “any theater”, when in reality MoviePass continually added limitations to customers’ subscriptions.
• Unconscionably changing terms of service during a subscription period.
• Converting all prepaid “unlimited” plans to three movies per month.
• Shutting down the availability of movies when a certain dollar amount is reached. (Trip wire).
• Failing to notify autorenewal customers of material changes to their subscriptions.
• Continuously charging customers’ debit or credit cards after receiving notice of cancellation from customers.

In addition to the above acts and practices, in 2019, MoviePass suffered a data breach. The data breach was the result of a MoviePass engineer creating an unsecured and unencrypted server as a debugging tool. This server had more than 161 million pieces of personal identifying information, including names, MoviePass card numbers, credit card numbers, billing information, email addresses and login information, belonging to at least 58,000 consumers. Despite being notified by private individuals, MoviePass allowed this server to operate for three months before it was taken down. MoviePass failed to advise the California Attorney General’s Office of the data breach, as required by law

MoviePass shut down its operations in September of 2019. Both MoviePass and its parent company, Helios and Matheson Analytics, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in January of 2020.

In 2018 a local Contra Costa County resident filed a complaint against MoviePass with the California Attorney General’s Office. The complaint alleged that MoviePass was in violation of the Terms of Service as the company was not showing available tickets in the mobile app and limited the number of movies to the consumer even though they paid in advance for a year of “unlimited” service. In turn, the complaint was forwarded to our office for further investigation.

We welcome residents to file consumer complaints with our office via our website, www.contracostada.org. Case information: People v. Theodore Farnsworth and Mitchell Lowe, Docket C21-01045, Contra Costa County Superior Court.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Crime, District Attorney, News

One suspect arrested, another sought in early Sunday morning Oakley store robbery

June 3, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspect in Oakley store robbery on Sunday morning, May 30, 2021. Photo: OPD

By Oakley Police Department

On Sunday, May 30th at around 5:45 a.m. armed male suspects entered a business in the area of Laurel and Empire and robbed the store of lottery tickets and cigarettes. Officers were able to identify a suspect vehicle and possibly one of the male suspects. They have been tied into other similar robberies in the area.

On Monday, May 31st at around noon, Oakley Police officers responded to a neighboring city that had stopped the suspect vehicle. The driver was arrested on unrelated charges and the vehicle was impounded as evidence.

The investigation is ongoing and the Oakley Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify one of the suspects, pictured here.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Suspect arrested for Memorial Day fireworks-related apartment fire in Antioch

June 1, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

James Sossaman, 44, Antioch resident, arrested May 31 for Unlawfully Causing a Fire (PC § 452(c)) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm (PC § 29800) and aerial view of May 31 Hargrove St., Antioch fire reveals area of grassfire origin and damaged apartment buildings. Photos: Con Fire

Investigators determine vegetation fire that destroyed eight apartments, displaced 40 residents caused by fireworks.

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Con Fire

Fireworks seized in conjunction with May 31 Antioch grassfire that led to destruction of eight apartments and displacement of 40 residents. Photo: Con Fire

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today, June 1, 2021, announced its fire investigators made a fireworks-related arrest yesterday in relation to a fireworks-caused fire behind apartments in the 1700-block of Hargrove Street in Antioch that destroyed eight units and displaced 40 residents.

James Sossaman, 44, an Antioch resident, was arrested for Unlawfully Causing a Fire to Inhabited Structures (PC § 452(b)) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm (PC § 29800) and transported by Antioch Police to Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

Con Fire responded to multiple reports of a vegetation fire behind apartments in the 1700 block of Hargrove in Antioch, May 31 just after 5:30 p.m. While responding, Engine 81 reported a large column of black smoke from a half mile away. Upon arrival, the grass fire had already extended from the grass into a two-story apartment complex and a second-alarm response was ordered. An aggressive fire attack followed in an attempt to slow the spread of fire.

Through witness interviews and surveillance videos, investigators located the person responsible for the grass fire and determined it was caused by Sossaman throwing an M-100 pyrotechnic device into the field behind the apartment complex. Through the investigation, Sossaman was also found to be on felony probation. During a search of his apartment, a loaded firearm was located along with several other illegal fireworks.

Weather conditions at the time — temperatures in the upper 90s with wind gusts between 15-20 mph – quickly fed the fire into the neighboring apartments. Crews, including East Contra Costa Fire’s Battalion 5, were able to stop grassfire spread across the gully and protect the apartments on the west side of the incident.

Additional companies worked to extinguish the structure fires and search 10 separate apartments that were either on fire or in immediate danger of catching fire. Strong winds blew the fire across a breezeway to adjoining apartments. A coordinated fire attack resulted in the fire being extinguished at approximately 6:26 p.m. Crews were on scene for approximately three hours to overhaul and salvage as much as possible.

The fire displaced 40 residents and the American Red Cross assisted with housing for those displaced.

No firefighters were injured. Two civilians were transported to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit urges residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.

Filed Under: Crime, East County, Fire, News

Pittsburg police release video, identity of man in May 20 fatal officer involved shooting

May 27, 2021 By Publisher 2 Comments

Video screenshot from Pittsburg Police Officer John Odell’s body camera at the 6:55 mark showing suspect Patrick Watkins with a gun in his right hand on Thursday night, May 20, 2021.

Was outside apartment of his child’s mother

By Pittsburg Police Department

The Pittsburg Police Department can now release the name of the man involved in last Thursday’s officer involved shooting as 31-year-old Patrick Watkins. In addition, pursuant to Pittsburg Police policy, are releasing officers’ body worn camera footage of the incident in an effort to foster transparency and trust with our community. (See video WARNING: contains graphic images and language) (See related article)

Updated Incident Summary:

Late Thursday evening, May 20, 2021, Pittsburg Police Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Loveridge Road regarding Watkins holding a handgun, banging on the front door of the apartment of his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child. When officers arrived, they contacted Watkins as he was seated on a stairway leading to the second-floor apartment. Officers asked Watkins to walk down the stairs and speak with them, but he ignored their commands and began walking back up the stairs away from the officers. Officers followed Watkins up the stairs and continued to ask him to stop and not walk away.

As Watkins reached the top of the stairs, officers observed he was in possession of a handgun in his right hand. Officers directed Watkins to get on the ground and drop the handgun. Watkins turned towards the officers and pointed the handgun directly at them. Officer Odell then used his service weapon, striking Watkins in the upper torso, and causing Watkins immediately to fall to the ground, still holding the handgun in his right hand. After Officer Odell used his service weapon, he (Officer Odell) dropped down onto the stairway. As Officer Simpson approached the top of the stairway, he observed Watkins still pointing the handgun at officers. Officer Simpson then used his service weapon. Officers moved to a safe location at the bottom of the stairway.

Following the shooting, officers continued speaking with Watkins, asking him to drop the handgun so they could provide him with medical attention. Watkins did not respond. After nearly 40 minutes of attempting to get Watkins to put down the handgun, officers used ballistic shields to safely walk up to Watkins and take the handgun from his right hand. Officers then started life saving measures with paramedics. Unfortunately, Watkins died at the scene due to his injuries.

A Walther .22 Caliber handgun was recovered from Watkins’s right hand. While the handgun Watkins had in his possession was found to be unloaded, there was a live round for the handgun located next to him.

The officers involved in the incident are members of the Pittsburg Police Department Patrol Team and identified as Officer John Odell and Office r Greg Simpson. Officer Odell has been a Pittsburg Police Officer for two and a half years and Officer Simpson has been a Pittsburg Police Officer for over five years.

The Contra Costa County Officer Involved Incident Protocol has been enacted and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will be completing an independent investigation into this incident. The Pittsburg Police Department’s independent outside investigator is also conducting an independent investigation of the incident pursuant to department policy. This is still an active investigation.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Brentwood man arrested for multiple sex crimes, police seek other possible victims

May 27, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Brentwood Police Department

Corey Baugh. Photo: BPD

In November 2020, the Brentwood Police Department initiated an investigation where Cory Baugh, male, 38 years old, (pictured) from Angels Camp was accused of sexually assaulting both male and female minors several years ago, while Baugh was a resident of Brentwood. Baugh reportedly befriended the victims between 2011 and 2015.

On 05/10/21, Baugh was arrested on an outstanding warrant associated with this investigation for multiple felony sex crimes involving minors. Baugh was subsequently booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Based on information revealed during the investigation, it is believed there may be more victims that have yet to come forward.

The Brentwood Police Department is requesting anyone with information or potential victims to contact Detective Ruth Talley at 925-809-7793.

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Participants, spectators of Saturday night sideshows in East Contra Costa cities warned of fines, jail time, cars being towed

May 24, 2021 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Aerial photo of sideshow at West 10th Street and Auto Center Drive Saturday night, May 22, 2021. Photo provided by APD

21 arrests, 20 cars towed from Antioch sideshow

Antioch police, councilman share photos, warn participants, spectators they’re “subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Several license plates were obtained… as…vehicles fled the scene…will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and…towed for 30 days.”

By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

Tire marks in ARCO gas station lot at W. 10th St. and Auto Center Drive, May 22, 2021. Photo by APD

On Saturday, May 22, 2021, over 150 cars converged into several areas in Contra Costa County and engaged in several side shows. The vehicles eventually took over the intersection of West 10th Street and Auto Center Drive. There were several vehicles doing donuts in the intersection and the parking lot of Arco Gas Station near the gas pumps.

There were over 100 vehicles and close to 200 spectators in this intersection, several blocking the path of patrol vehicles. The spectators set off fireworks and at times threw fireworks at patrol vehicles and pointed high powered lasers at officers. Mutual aid was requested and several officers from Brentwood, Pittsburg and the Sheriff’s Office responded to assist in dispersing the crowd. Several vehicles continued to drive recklessly, and a vehicle nearly ran over an officer who was on foot. APD officers were able to stop a group of the vehicles with the help of the allied agencies. 20 subjects were issued citations and 21 vehicles were placed on 30-day tows from this scene.

The remaining group of vehicles entered the City of Brentwood where the vehicles took over the intersection of Lone Tree Way and HWY 4. Several vehicles made it into the City of Oakley and at approximately 1:09 AM, Oakley PD officers had bottles thrown at them from occupants from a vehicle that fled back into Antioch. Antioch Officers located a vehicle that matched the description, and a traffic stop was attempted. The vehicle fled from officers at a high rate of speed onto Hillcrest Avenue where it lost control and crashed. The driver of that vehicle fled on foot and was caught by officers a short distance later. The subject was arrested for an outstanding warrant and his vehicle was towed for 30-days.

At approximately 1:32 AM, more than 50 vehicles took over the intersection of Buchanan Road and Somersville Road and started another side show. Officers responded to the area; however, the group continued the side show despite the presence of law enforcement. After several minutes, the vehicles eventually dispersed in several different directions. At approximately 2:32 AM, APD officers responded into the City of Pittsburg to assist PPD with a large side show that resulted in several shots being fired by subjects in the side show.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Detective Bledsoe at (925) 779-6884. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Another aerial photo of sideshow at W. 10th Street and Auto Center Drive in Antioch on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Photo provided by APD.

Antioch Police Department – May 23, 2021 – As many of you have seen by now through social media or other news media outlets, there was a large-scale side show in East Contra Costa County that touched the cities of Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, and Brentwood for several hours Saturday night, May 22. While we were able to head off several of the participants before anything could get started, eventually the crowd was able to overtake the intersection of Auto Center Drive and W. 10th Street with several hundred vehicles and spectators. Mutual aid was requested due to the large numbers involved, and eventually officers from the Pittsburg Police, Brentwood Police and Sheriff’s Office responded and we were able to disperse the crowd. Over the course of the next several hours, other smaller side shows popped up in Antioch and surrounding cities until the early morning hours.

These events have become more prevalent in recent months in our city and present many problems aside from the noise and traffic violations. They not only put the participants at risk of death or injury, but also the public should they get caught amid one of these intersections that have been taken over. These events also create traffic issues for police and medical responses to true emergency calls as well, and the Antioch Police Department has taken a zero-tolerance response to such activity. During Saturday night’s events alone, 20 citations were issued, and 21 vehicles were towed and stored for 30 days for those in attendance who were able to be stopped. So everyone is aware, participating in these events, including being a spectator or helping block intersections so these events may continue is subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1000. Additionally, whether you are actively participating or spectating, your vehicle will be towed and stored at your expense for 30 days. These costs will run into the thousands of dollars and may also lead to a driver’s license suspension.

For those of you that believe you got out of town last night before being stopped by the police, be aware that this may be true for some, but not all of you. Several license plates were obtained last night as dozens of vehicles fled the scene. These vehicles will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and those vehicles will also be towed for 30 days.

To summarize the events from last night, these events will not be tolerated in the City of Antioch, and all participants and spectators will be met with all enforcement action allowed under the California Vehicle Code. Thank you to all the agencies that responded to our mutual aid request and helped us in our efforts to keep Antioch safe. It is greatly appreciated.

Sideshow tire marks in intersection of W. 10th St. and Auto Center Dr. Sunday, May 23, 2021. Photos by Mike Barbanica

Councilman Comments, Posts Photos of Damage

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica was the only Antioch council member to post anything about the sideshows, one of which occurred in District one, on his official Facebook page. On Sunday, he wrote, “I went out today and visited some of the locations from the recent side shows. I very BIG thank you to the APD Sgt. and crew that took a zero tolerance stance on this, having more than 20 cars towed on 30 day impounds, more than 20 citations and warrants coming for more cars also to be impounded for 30 days. We cannot tolerate this in our community. This is unsafe and is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed. GREAT JOB APD! Also thank you to the allied agencies that came into our community to help.”

Tire marks in ARCO station lot Sunday, May 23, 2021. Photos by Mike Barbanica

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Man at Pittsburg apartment complex pointing gun at officers is shot and killed Thursday night

May 22, 2021 By Publisher 1 Comment

Contra Costa County Officer Involved Incident Protocol enacted

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 9:21 P.M, Pittsburg Police Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Loveridge Road regarding a man holding a handgun, banging on the front door of an apartment. The man was reported to be the ex-boyfriend of the resident. When officers arrived, they contacted the man on a stairway leading to the second-floor apartment of his ex-girlfriend. Officers asked the man to walk down the stairs and speak with them, but he ignored their commands and began walking back up the stairs away from the officers. Officers followed him up the stairs and continued to ask him to stop and not walk away.

As the man reached the top of the stairs, officers observed he was in possession of a handgun in his right hand. Officers directed the man to get on the ground and drop the handgun. The man turned towards the officers and pointed the handgun directly at them. Two officers then used their service weapon, striking the man. The man immediately fell to the ground, still holding the handgun.

For several minutes following the shooting, officers continued speaking with the man, asking him to drop the handgun so they could get him medical attention. The man did not respond to officer’s request. Eventually, officers were able to detain the man and immediately started life saving measures until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, the man died at the scene due to his injuries. The man was 31 years old. A handgun was recovered from the man’s possession. We are waiting to release his name due to the ongoing investigation.

The Contra Costa County Officer Involved Incident Protocol has been enacted and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will be completing an independent investigation into this incident. The Pittsburg Police Department’s independent outside investigator is also conducting an independent investigation of the incident pursuant to department policy. We will be releasing body-cam footage within the coming days of the incident, along with the officers’ names. This is still an active investigation and additional information will be released in the coming days.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

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