Contra Costa Herald

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

Sheriff’s Office seeks witnesses in Tuesday vehicle rollover ejection crash on Kirker Pass Road

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Emergency responders at the scene of the rollover crash on Kirker Pass Road, Tues., Feb. 11, 2020. Screenshots from Bay News Video by Art Ray.

Domestic violence related; suspect arrested

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

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at about 3:24 PM, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a rollover vehicle accident in the area of Kirker Pass Road and Hess Road near Concord.

During the initial CHP investigation, it was discovered that the cause of the accident was apparently domestic-related. The Office of the Sheriff responded to the location and started an investigation.

Deputy Sheriffs found the incident involved a woman and a man who were in a previous relationship. The woman was driving a tan colored 2004 Chevy Tahoe SUV with two passengers. The suspect, who was in a white colored 2015 Mercedes Benz, followed behind and later pulled in front of the victim’s car causing her to lose control and flip over an embankment.

The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, who was ejected from the vehicle according to ConFire personnel, was taken to a local hospital and is said to be in critical condition. According to the CHP many vehicles  pulled over and passersby turned the vehicle onto its side. One of the other occupants, a young girl,  was treated and released from the hospital. The last occupant of the SUV was uninjured.

The driver of the other vehicle was later arrested by Deputy Sheriffs. He is identified as 28-year-old Alejandro Arriaga of Concord. He was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one felony count of child cruelty. Arriaga is being held in lieu of $190,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this case or who might have witnessed it is asked to contact detectives at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Concord teen injured by hit-and-run driver on Highway 4 on-ramp in Concord Monday night

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CORRECTION: The original headline was incorrect as the incident occurred in Concord, not Bay Point.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night, at approximately 9:15pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a call of a pedestrian down in the roadway at the Port Chicago Highway on-ramp to Hwy-4 eastbound. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, an 18-year-old male from Concord was located with major injuries and then transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. No vehicle or responsible party was located at the scene.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. The 18-year-old pedestrian transported to the hospital is listed as life-threatening critical condition. At this time CHP has located a party and vehicle of interest regarding this incident and is still gathering information.

That is all the information we to offer at this time as it requires follow up investigation. If anyone has information regarding this collision, the events leading up to it, or witnessed it, please call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Following chase four arrested in Antioch for stealing $10,000 of goods from Brentwood beauty supply store, Monday

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Merchandise stolen from the Brentwood Ulta store. Photos by BPD.

The suspects’ vehicle that collided with a patrol car.

Two from Richmond, one from  Oakland, one from Hayward

By Brentwood Police Department

On Monday, February 10, 2020 at 11:45 AM, officers were dispatched to Ulta Beauty Supply,in the Streets of Brentwood Shopping Center, to investigate a theft. Keilaysha Usher (24-year-old female from Oakland) Talmika Bates (24-year-old female from Hayward) and Ramiah Armstrong (22-year-old female from Richmond) left the store with about $10,000 worth of merchandise and fled in a Nissan Murano toward Lone Tree Way.

A responding Brentwood Police Officer located the vehicle at the intersection of Shady Willow Lane and Lone Tree Way and attempted a traffic enforcement stop. The driver of the Nissan collided with the patrol car and fled. The vehicle was located in a field at the north end of Slatten Ranch Road where the occupants fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood. A perimeter was set up by Brentwood, Antioch and Oakley Police units until all three females were located and taken into custody.

Brentwood PD deployed a K9 unit and Antioch PD used their drone in the search for the suspects.

An additional subject, Adrian Benton, Jr. (21-year-old male from Richmond) appeared in the area to pick up the females and help them flee the area. He was also taken into custody without incident.

All four subjects are being booked into Martinez Detention Facility.

This case is currently under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Brentwood PD dispatch at 925-809-7911.

Suspect arrested in Richmond hit and run that killed four-year-old boy

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The victim of the hit-and-run, named Heitor, who died from his injuries on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Photo courtesy of RPD.

By Richmond Police Department

On Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm, Richmond Police officers responded to a hit and run collision in the 2200 block of Coalinga Avenue. A 4-year-old child was struck and killed in the collision.

RPD turned to social media, our community members, and local media outlets to request their assistance in locating the suspect vehicle.

Our community partners answered our request and assisted in sharing our request tens of thousands of times on social media platforms. Local media outlets assisted by providing extensive news coverage. All of these things combined to assist us in identifying the driver and suspect vehicle.

Saturday at 7:00 pm, RPD Traffic Investigators arrested the suspect for this hit and run. On Sunday, Feb. 9, the suspect and suspect vehicle were located and are in police custody. The suspect was booked on charges of hit and run resulting in death.

RPD is grateful for the outpouring of support from our community in helping us bring this driver to justice. Thank you from RPD and from the victim’s family for helping them achieve some closure.

Video screenshots of suspect vehicle. By RPD.

**Spanish Translation**

***SOSPECHOSO ARRESTADO EN COLISION QUE REAULTO EN MUERTE***

El Viernes, 7 de Febrero, a las 5:00 PM, Oficiales de la Policia de Richmond respondieron al bloque 2200 de la Avenida Coalinga en una investigación donde un vehicúlo atropello y mato a un niño de 4 años de edad.

La Policia de Richmond solicito la ayuda de nuestros miembros de la comunidad, usando redes sociales y noticias locales para encontrar el vehicúlo del sospechoso.

Nuestros miembros de la comunidad nos ayudaron con compartir este incidente miles de veces en redes sociales. Noticias locales asistieron con reportar una amplia cobertura de noticias sobre el incidente.

Todas estas cosas combinadas nos asistieron en identificar al sospechoso y el vehicúlo.

El Sabodo a las 7:00, Investigadores de tráfico arrestaron al sospechoso. El sospechoso fue transladado a la carcel con cargos de huir la escena de colision que resulto en murte.

La Policia de Richmond esta agradecido por el soporte de la comunidad por ayudarnos el traer el sospechoso ante la justicia.

Gracias de parte de la Policia de Richmond y de la familia de la victima en lograr un poco de cierre en este caso.

Motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in multi-vehicle collision on Highway 4 in Pittsburg Sunday morning

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Driver from Antioch taken to hospital, arrested; Driver of other car from Oakley sustains minor injuries

By CHP-Contra Costa

UPDATE: the Volkswagen sedan driven by Moss was determined that it was traveling wrong way (westbound within the eastbound lanes) of Hwy-4 prior to the initial collision with the Toyota.

Early this morning, at approximately 2:09 am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a collision involving three vehicles on Hwy-4 eastbound, just east of Bailey Road. Upon CHP & emergency personnel arrival, a 2002 Volkswagen sedan, a 2015 Toyota sedan, and a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle had been involved in a collision. Unfortunately, the solo male driver of the Harley (29 years old from Antioch) was killed in the crash. The solo male driver of the Toyota (20 years old from Oakley) sustained only minor complaint of pain injuries. And the solo male driver of the Volkswagen (59-year-old Tony Moss from Antioch) was transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek for his injuries and suspicion of DUI driving.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male rider from the Harley Davidson.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. But our preliminary report indicates the Volkswagen and Toyota may have been involved in a collision on eastbound Hwy 4 at Bailey Road and then the Harley Davidson became involved as well, subsequently ejecting the rider of the Harley Davidson and killing him. The driver of the Toyota suffered only minor injuries, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation.

While at the hospital, Officers placed Moss under arrest for felony DUI. Upon his release from the hospital early this morning, he was transported to the Martinez detention facility where he was booked into the county jail for two counts of FELONY DUI: 23153(a)VC & 23153(b)VC.

As this incident is still under investigation, if anyone has information regarding this collision or events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Walnut Creek man arrested for rape following standoff in Orinda Friday

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David Martin Justice. Photo by WCPD.

By Lieutenant Tracie Reese, Walnut Creek Police Department

On February 7, 2020 at approximately 2:10 p.m., Officers from the Walnut Creek Police Department went to a residence in the 200 block of Hall Drive in Orinda to interview 41-year-old David Martin Justice (born 6/13/78) in regard to a sexual assault that occurred in Walnut Creek. As officers arrived, Justice left the residence in a vehicle. Walnut Creek Police Officers attempted to pull over Justice’s vehicle, but Justice sped away at a high rate of speed.

Justice eventually returned to the address on Hall Drive and ran into the residence. Moments later, Justice exited the back of the residence with a shotgun pointed to his head. The Central County Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded to the address to assist officers on scene. The Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) established communication with Justice and negotiated with Justice for approximately four hours. Justice peacefully surrendered at 6:02 p.m. and was taken into custody.

Justice will be booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a warrant for multiple counts of PC 261, with a bail amount of $5,000,000.

This investigation is in the early stages and further information will not be released at this time. Additional details will be provided as they become available.

The Central County Special Weapons and Tactics Team and the Crisis Negotiations Team is made up of members from the San Ramon Police Department, Martinez Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, BART Police, and the Walnut Creek Police Department.

The Walnut Creek Police Department would like to thank the Orinda Police Department, the Lafayette Police Department, the Danville Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call Detective Gerstner at 925-943-5878. WCPD Case Number: 20-4426

One of two suspects arrested Tuesday for December murder of Pittsburg man

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Mark Anthony Thomas in his March 2019 Facebook page profile photo.

Identified as Mark Anthony Thomas. Second suspect still at large.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On December 14, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department was notified of a person who was shot inside of a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle in Pittsburg. At the time of the incident, the victim, along with his wife and children, were present when two armed and masked gunmen entered the residence and shot the victim following a brief struggle. Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old male resident (later identified by his fiancé as Rafael Lopez) suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.

From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. Officers provifed aid to the main until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries. (See related article).

Detectives began working the case immediately and painstakingly poured over many leads and pieces of evidence until they were able to identify one of the shooters involved in the homicide. That shooter has been identified a 35-year-old Mark Anthony Thomas from Antioch.

According to his Facebook page, Thomas is a rapper whose stage name is M80.

On February 4, 2020, Thomas was located at a residence in the 5000 block of Ranch Hallow Way in Antioch and arrested by our agency. He is currently in custody in Martinez on murder charges.

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information to please contact Detective Ruff at 925-252-4089.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Concord teen who killed mother Wednesday night identified, charged with murder Thursday

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By Allen Payton

According to papers filed in court Thursday by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, the 18-year-old Concord teen who called police telling them he had killed his mother on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 has been identified as Harrison William Mercier. He is charged with the murder of Elizabeth A. Barry. (See related article)

The filing papers allege Mercier used a knife to kill Barry and that it was premeditated, with “malice aforethought”. Complaint Mercier February 6 2020

According to Concord Police press release, on February 5th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Mercier called Concord Police Dispatch saying he had just killed his mother at their home located in the 3000 block of Treat Blvd. When Officers arrived, the man was outside waiting for them. His mother was found deceased inside the home. Mercier was arrested and CPD Detectives are currently investigating the case.

Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective Greg Mahan with CPD’s Major Crime Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #20-1552

Suspect in December Pittsburg murder arraigned in court Thursday

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By Allen Payton

According to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, murder suspect, Mark Thomas was arraigned in Contra Costa County Superior Court yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 for allegedly killing Rafael Rodriguez Lopez with a shotgun during a robbery in Pittsburg on Dec. 14, 2019. Complaint Mark Thomas February 6 2020

According to a Pittsburg Police press release issued later that day, “Early Saturday morning, just after midnight, Pittsburg Officers responded to the report of a shooting at a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle. Upon arrival, officers located a 30-year-old male resident suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. Officers provided aid to the man until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries.

Pittsburg Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the residence to conduct the investigation. From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. During this, the two suspects shot the victim and fled the residence in a gray or silver import sedan. Investigators are working to confirm information the man and the suspects knew each other, and this incident was the result of a disagreement that had occurred.”

It was the city’s seventh murder in 2019.

Thomas is being held without bail.

Concord teen kills his mother then calls police Wednesday night

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By Concord Police Department

On February 5th, at approximately 9:00 PM, an 18-year-old male called Concord Police Dispatch saying he had just killed his mother at their home located in the 3000 block of Treat Blvd. When officers arrived, the man was outside waiting for them. His mother was found deceased inside the home.

The man was arrested and CPD Detectives are currently investigating the case. There are no further details to be released at this time. We are not releasing the identity of the deceased woman at this time, pending next of kin contact.

Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective Greg Mahan with CPD’s Major Crime Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #20-1552