Contra Costa Herald

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

Pittsburg man found guilty for January 2021 shooting faces up to 22 years in prison

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After removing ankle monitor being worn for attempted robbery case

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

Last month, defendant Brandon Hilliard of Pittsburg (date of birth is October 19, 1996) was found guilty by a Contra Costa County jury for the assault with a semiautomatic firearm and attempted manslaughter of a Pittsburg man – both charges are felonies. The shooting occurred earlier this year in Pittsburg. The jury also found true the enhancements listed in the charges against Hilliard, including use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury.

The defendant was on an ankle monitor for his pending attempted robbery case. Hilliard cut off his ankle monitor the day before this shooting.

On January 9, 2021, the victim and the defendant got into a verbal argument at Central Avenue and Birch Street in Pittsburg. As the argument progressed, the defendant pulled out his handgun, a Glock 43. Ultimately, the defendant fired at least four times at the victim. The victim was hit three times in his legs by Hilliard and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The shooting was captured on home surveillance and police officers used surrounding city surveillance cameras to locate a silver vehicle the defendant was seen driving away in from the scene of the shooting. The officers tracked the vehicle in Pittsburg and ascertained its license plate using the automated license plate reader system. The day after the shooting, a San Pablo police officer located the defendant and his vehicle, which had been listed as a felony vehicle, and successfully detained him.

The felony trial lasted four weeks before the honorable David Goldstein in Department 6 in Pittsburg. Judge Goldstein will sentence the defendant on July 23, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. The defendant will face up to 22 years and eight months in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Natasha Mehta prosecuted the case of behalf of the People. DDA Mehta is assigned to our felony trial team.

Case information: People v. Brandon Leo Hilliard, Docket Number 04-200980-1

Richmond teen arrested for armed robbery of San Pablo restaurant

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Get away car used by suspect Tyron Ratliff on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Photos by San Pablo PD.

Following search with help of K9 officer

By San Pablo Police Department

Get away car impounded.

Great Police work and Technology are a tough team to beat!

On Tuesday afternoon, June 8, 2021 one of our local restaurants was robbed at gunpoint. The employee had just returned from the bank when he was confronted by the suspect in front of the business. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the suspect fled with a bag of cash. Investigators believe the employee was followed from the bank.

Detectives were called in with Detective Almir Dugonjic leading the charge. Luckily in San Pablo we have Public Safety Cameras which helped Detectives to immediately identify the vehicle and suspect, 19-year-old Richmond resident, Tyrone Ratliff. Later that evening, at around 1:30 in the morning, officers were alerted by our Public Safety cameras that the robbery vehicle had returned to San Pablo. Officers stopped the car and detained the occupants, who were not involved in the crime. The vehicle was towed as evidence. But Ratliff was still on the loose.

When cases call for a high-priority apprehension, Detectives call upon a group of specially trained investigators: the Priority Oriented Policing (POP) Unit.

The POP unit was able to track Ratliff down in Richmond. He tried to elude officers, but thanks to Officer Kullar (and his K9 partner Sultan), and Officer Brown, Ratliff had no choice but to surrender peacefully to officers. He was arrested and booked into county jail on robbery charges. Detectives served search warrants at Ratliff’s home and recovered evidence linking him to the crime.

We are grateful no one was injured as a result of this crime. We are also grateful for the hard work and commitment of our Investigators and Patrol teams to bring this case to a close in less than 24-hours! Great Job!

We are still looking for the gun used in this crime. Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department at 510-215-3150. All callers can remain anonymous.

 

Oakley woman, man arrested for drugs, ghost guns, illegal fireworks

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Drugs, ghost guns, ammunition and illegal fireworks seized on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Photo: Pittsburg PD.

By Pittsburg Police Department

Photo: Pittsburg PD

One call for service leads to much, much more.

Back in January, Officer Mejia made contact with a woman during an enforcement stop. At that time, she was in possession of multiple firearms and drugs for sale. Over the past few months, officers continued to work the case, conducting hours of investigation. It became clear the woman was heavily involved in the sale of drugs and guns.

On Thursday, June 10, 2021, the Pittsburg Police Department Vice Team, along with additional patrol officers, served the search warrant at the woman’s Oakley house. As you can see in the photos, officers found a little of everything including a half-pound of methamphetamines, cocaine, a ghost handgun, parts of an assault rifle, over $3,000 in cash, and even illegal fireworks.

In addition, officers searched a car belonging to man at the house and found two more illegal ghost guns and drugs for sale.

Both were arrested, the cash seized, and the two of them will be sending the weekend at the county jail.

#ppd #pittsburg #onecallatatime #alloffthestreet

 

Public’s help requested in Richmond homicide investigation, release audio of incident

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By Richmond Police Department

On June 9, 2021 at approximately 12:25PM, RPD received a ShotSpotter activation in the 3000 block of Shane Drive. Shortly thereafter, the RPD Communications Center received multiple emergency calls regarding an individual who had been shot.

Arriving RPD officers located an unresponsive victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced deceased by medical personnel, on scene.

More than forty (40) rifle and pistol casings were located at the scene; attached is an audio of the incident captured by the RPD ShotSpotter system.

If you witnessed, or believe you have further information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Savannah Stewart at SStewart@RichmondPD.net or 510-620-6541, or call our tip line at 510-307-T1PS (510-307-8177); you can always remain anonymous while providing information.

#CommunityPolicing   #RichmondPDCali  #RichmondCA

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

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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.

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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.

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

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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.

 

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

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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.