Contra Costa Herald

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

Sheriff encourages county residents to stay home Monday night through Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m.

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Board of Supervisors to consider curfew at Tuesday morning meeting

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

This is a message from Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston

Due to continuing civil unrest, ongoing disturbances and sporadic looting of businesses, all Contra Costa residents are encouraged to remain indoors today, June 1st from 8:00 PM until tomorrow, June 2nd at 5:00 AM. There is currently NO countywide curfew order.

However, that is subject to change.

Please note that some cities have implemented their own curfews and residents should check their city’s website for updates. Please try to avoid calling for non-emergency police services until tomorrow if possible.

Please be assured law enforcement throughout the county is working together and has brought in additional resources to address incidences of civil unrest.

According to Jami Napier, Chief Assistant Clerk of the Board and Senior Deputy County Administrator that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is holding an emergency meeting tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. to consider a curfew. Please see the meeting agenda by clicking here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch, Brentwood police prepare for possible looting Monday

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Screenshot of post on Twitter from Antioch by a person who claims to be from Oakland (whose account we will not identify due to its graphic content), which includes a photo of shops in the Streets of Brentwood shopping center at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020. The tweet has since been removed.

Some stores already closed or are closing early as a result of threat on social media

By Allen Payton

Due to a comment posted on Twitter by someone who claims to be from Oakland, telling people in Oakland to go to Antioch and the Streets of Brentwood shopping center to loot, on Monday, both the Antioch and Brentwood Police Departments are making preparations.

Screenshot of the Twitter profile showing the account owner claims he’s from Oakland.

The message, posted in Antioch at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020 reads, “Oakland, we need to make our way to Antioch and the streets of Brentwood today and take EVERYTHING. The outlets is outside so it’ll be easier to break in and take everything! THIS IS ALL FOR GORGE DONT FORGET! REPOST!” That refers to George Floyd, the man who died after a Minneapolis police office had his knee on Floyd’s neck pinning him to the street for nine minutes, while two other officers also had him pinned down, while a fourth officer stood by guarding them. The tweet has since been removed.

When asked about the message, Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks responded, “Already on it.”

Brentwood Police posted the following about their actions to prepare their city, and specifically the shopping center:

“While we stand by everyone’s right to peacefully protest in this difficult time, threats of looting and vandalism will be taken seriously. We have learned of such threats being spread on social media directed at the Streets of Brentwood.

Streets of Brentwood. Photo by Brentwood PD.

As a result, Streets of Brentwood will be closing businesses early today and we will be adding additional staffing to the area to monitor the safety of the public and protection of property. In the interest of everyone’s safety, we ask that you avoid the Streets of Brentwood since businesses will be closed and access to the property will be closed off.”

As of 3:40 p.m., witness said they saw Antioch Police are gathering at the Somersville Towne Center and asking the stores to close. Another resident reported the Lowe’s and Target stores are closed in Antioch.

Also, Brentwood PD posted on their Facebook page at 3:40 p.m. that “Home Depot contacted us to let us know they have closed early today for the safety of their employees and customers.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Man crashes into apartments after tossing automatic weapon out of car during Pittsburg Police chase Sunday night

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Photos by Pittsburg PD.

By Pittsburg Police Department

Sunday night, May 24, 2020, Pittsburg Police officers were patrolling the city like always and came across a car driving recklessly in the area of Rose Ann Avenue and W 17th Street. The driver saw police and decided to flee the area and threw a full auto sub machine gun out the window.

The driver lost control on Power Avenue and crashed into several apartments at the Belmont Apartments. The driver was transported to the hospital and later transported to our county jail. Luckily there were no major injuries.

Please continue to let us know if you see any reckless drivers. #PPD #ConFire #AMR #FullAuto – 374 @Pittsburg, California.

Detroit man arrested for Thursday shootout in Walnut Creek, police seek public’s help finding two others involved

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By Walnut Creek Chief of Police Thomas Chaplin

Suspect Description: Both suspects are described as adult males with dark skin. Both suspects had on masks that covered their faces. Vehicle Description: Light colored sedan

The Walnut Creek Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects involved in a shooting that occurred in the 1200 block of Newell Avenue. On Thursday, May 21, 2020, at approximately 6:23 p.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to the report of gunshots heard in the area of the 1200 block of Newell Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located bullet casings, shattered glass and drops of blood in the area.

At approximately 6:36 p.m., officers learned that two adult males were transported to local hospitals for gunshot wounds related to this incident. Both males sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. Further investigation revealed that this incident occurred in the parking lot of a business. Officers located video surveillance of the parking lot, which showed two suspects armed with handguns approach the passenger side of a parked vehicle. At the time of the incident, one victim was seated in the passenger side of the parked vehicle. The suspects, who were wearing face masks, immediately shot at the victim. The victim was struck at least one time. The driver of the parked vehicle, 27-year-old Detroit, Michigan resident John Rankin (born 9/28/1992), returned fire at the two suspects and struck an innocent bystander, who was seated in a nearby vehicle. The shots fired by Rankin also struck a second vehicle that was parked in the parking lot. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown make and model vehicle. At this time, the suspects have not been identified.

As a result of the investigation, Rankin was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Shooting into an Inhabited Vehicle.

Walnut Creek PD released the surveillance video. At this time, a motive for the shooting has not been determined. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call Detective Leonard at 925-256-3523. WCPD Case Number: 20-13675

Woman on probation for burglary arrested for attempted burglary in stolen car in Concord Wednesday

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Suspect Hannah Nichols. Photo by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

With more people staying indoors, opportunities for residential burglaries have decreased. However, that didn’t stop this young lady from trying….

Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020, a few minutes before 6:00 a.m., a resident who lives off of San Simeon Drive, went outside and saw a woman trying to break into her garage. Just before calling the police, the homeowner confronted the woman who fled on foot.

Concord Officers quickly responded to the scene and detained a woman a few blocks away who matched the description of the suspect. The woman was identified as 24-year-old, Hannah Nichols, who also happened to be on felony probation for burglary. The witness positively identified Ms. Nichols as being the woman trying to break into her garage. Additionally, it was determined Ms. Nichols drove to area in a vehicle that was stolen in Concord the previous night.

We want to thank the community member for calling and providing us with a detailed description of the suspect. Also, we want to let you know that despite the Zero-Bail Order, we will continue to respond, investigate, and do everything we possibly can to make sure people who commit crimes in our city are held accountable for their actions. ~454

#stolenvehicle #burglary #concordpd

Clayton resident charged with arranging to meet a minor girl for sex

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By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Suspect Daniel Steven Paul arrest photo. Courtesy of CCDA.

On Thursday May 21, 2020, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 40-year-old Clayton resident Daniel Steven Paul with multiple violations including attempted lewd acts with a minor, unlawful communications with a minor and arranging to meet a minor for sex.

In early May, investigators from the County’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force learned Paul had been the subject of an investigation in a foreign country, in which Paul distributed harmful material to a person he believed to be a minor. The investigation led agents to begin talking with Paul via text message and soon after making contact with him, Paul began to attempt to entice what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl into meeting with him for sex.

On May 20, 2020, Paul went to Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez with the intention of engaging in sex acts with a minor. He was taken into custody and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. A search of his vehicle revealed he brought condoms and alcohol to the meeting.

Paul remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff. His bail is currently set at $250,000. Paul will make his first court appearance in Superior Court on May 22, 2020.

This investigation was conducted by the multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Danville, Pleasant Hill, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Since the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order went into effect, law enforcement from around the United States have noted a significant increase in the number on online child exploitation reports. Many of these cases involve adult suspects grooming minors into taking explicit images of themselves. Parents are encouraged to be on heightened alert for this behavior and take steps to both monitor their child’s online activity and having candid conversations with their children about the dangers of smartphone use.

Parents seeking additional resources can visit www.kidsmartz.org or the website for the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children task Force at www.svicac.org. Reports of illegal activity involving minor victims on the internet should be reported at once to your local police department.

Case information: People v. Paul, Docket Number 01-193687-1

Oakley man arrested in Brentwood for stolen car, stolen items, burglary tools and drugs Thursday

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Stolen items, stolen car, burglary tools, drug paraphernalia and large knife confiscated from the suspect on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Photos by Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

You never know what you will find!

Another day of patrolling our community, on Thursday, May 21, 2020, keeping eyes peeled for anything suspicious and then, there it was … a stolen car parked in the Raley’s parking lot! Someone was sitting inside! Officers quickly moved into position and soon the car was surrounded. A man sitting in the passenger seat exited the car and was detained by the officers. During the investigation, an officer noticed a man exit Raley’s and start walking in the direction of the stolen car. The man quickly turned and began walking in the opposite direction, towards Beach Hut Deli. An officer greeted 30 year-old Eric Freitas (Oakley) sitting near the deli and while conducting their investigation, removed two knives and over $100 of stolen merchandise from Freitas.

Freitas was walked back to the stolen car, where he admitted to behaving badly. He had been driving the stolen vehicle, had stolen items from Raley’s and had burglary tools and drug paraphernalia in the car. The passenger in the car was later released.

Freitas received a courtesy shuttle to county jail! He was charged with vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools, a probation violation and other additional charges.

CHP asks public’s help finding driver in March 6 hit and run fatality on 680 in Martinez

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Fatal hit and run victim’s car and the railroad overpass in Martinez on March 3, 2020. Photos by CHP.

By CHP – Contra Costa

On the morning of Friday March 6, 2020, at approximately 5:25am, Contra Costa CHP responded to a collision on I-680 southbound, north of Highway 4 in Martinez. The victim of the collision was driving a 1990’s blue Toyota Corolla, that had spun out across the lanes of traffic and collided with a light pole and tree on the right shoulder area, sustaining major damage. The driver of the Toyota was not responsive and transported to John Muir Hospital. Tragically the man died days later due to his injuries from the collision.

A witness related they saw a vehicle bump into the Toyota, which caused it to go out of control resulting in the crash, and then fled the scene. They described the second vehicle as being a dark colored lowered sedan with oversized rims. They were unable to see the make or model. They also related they saw it approaching quickly through their rearview mirror and moving in and out of the traffic lanes just before the crash.

CHP is asking for your HELP to locate the second vehicle described by the witness above. If you were traveling on I-680 southbound in this location on the morning of March 6 between about 5:20am to 5:30am, and may have witnessed this collision (either just before, at the moment of the crash, or just after) or think you remember seeing a dark colored lowered sedan with oversized rims in the same location, or any information that could help in this investigation, please contact the Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Ask for Investigating Officer Lane and leave your contact info for him.

El Sobrante man arrested for murder of 90-year-old grandma Sunday morning

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

This morning, May 10, 2020, at about 9:28 a.m., Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a medical-police call at the 700 block of Pebble Drive in El Sobrante.  Deputies found a 90-year-old woman who suffered from trauma in a bedroom. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene. She is not being identified at this time.

While at the residence, Deputies detained the victim’s grandson. He was later arrested for homicide. He is identified as 42-year-old Sean Johnson of El Sobrante. He was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

The Crime Lab and Office of the Sheriff homicide detectives responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case 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.

Suspect sought for murder of San Pablo man with criminal history in Rodeo on Friday

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

Victim Olajawon Walker in a 2013 photo on his Facebook page.

On Friday, April 24, 2020, at about 7:52 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report that someone was shot at the 1000 block of Mariposa Avenue in Rodeo.

Deputies arrived finding a man on the street suffering from a gunshot wound. The fire department and an ambulance responded. The man was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He has been identified as 24-year-old Olajawon Walker of San Pablo.

According to his Facebook page and an internet search, he attended Pinole Valley High School and John Swett High School. According to friends, he leaves behind one child. In addition, Walker was arrested multiple times by Richmond, Oakland and Pinole Police Departments and the Contra Costa, Solano and San Bernardino Counties Sheriff’s Departments between 2016 and 2020 on charges of pimping, loitering with intent to commit prostitution, false imprisonment/human trafficking, spousal/cohabitant abuse, petty theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, unlawful use of willfully obtained personal identification, failure to appear, resisting arrest and probation violations.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit and personnel from the crime lab responded to the location. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.