Contra Costa Herald

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

Multiple police agencies shut down “sideshows” in East County, Concord Sunday night

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Screenshot from CCC Sheriff helicopter STAR 3 video of sideshow at Vasco and Marsh Creek Roads, Sunday night, March 7, 2020. Photos courtesy of Antioch Police.

Enforcement results in numerous arrests, 60 citations issued and 55 vehicles towed

By Sgt. Rick Smith, Antioch Police Field Services – Patrol

Information was developed that a large scale “sideshow” event was planned to occur in Eastern Contra Costa County on March 7, 2020. These events have been frequently occurring in the Bay Area and if not addressed by law enforcement they become out of control. These events are extremely dangerous due to the reckless driving that often leads to violence or subjects being severely injured while disrupting the lives of non-involved motorists and residents.

The Antioch Police Department reached out to surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance in addressing this planned “sideshow” due to the anticipated size of the event and the various locations in Eastern Contra Costa County identified as possible locations of occurrence. The request was answered with officers being sent from all east county agencies to include the Brentwood Police Department, Oakley Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Air Operations also assisted by having Helicopter STAR 3 overhead in support.

A large “sideshow” event occurred with participants performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers in the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Vasco Road. This is a heavily travelled area of roadway and participants used their vehicles to stop traffic in all directions while performing dangerous driving maneuvers. CCSO STAR 3 was overhead and was able to help responding units stop and arrest numerous participants.

Several of these participants did manage to escape arrest by driving at and around arriving officers on roadway shoulders and into oncoming lanes of traffic. Again, putting numerous citizens and officers in harm’s way. These participants went to other nearby areas and continued to take over intersections by performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers.

Thanks to CCSO STAR 3 overhead, several officers were able to break-up this second “Sideshow” event that was occurring along Vineyards Parkway in the City of Brentwood. Several participants were again stopped and arrested with their vehicles being towed.

Cars on Vineyard Parkway in Brentwood.

CCSO STAR 3 helped identify a third “sideshow” location on Balfour Road at American Avenue in the City of Brentwood. Arriving Officers located and arrested several more drivers with their vehicles again being towed.

Cars at Balfour Road and American Avenue in Brentwood.

This continued with a fourth “sideshow” taking place in the City of Antioch at the intersection of A Street and East 18th Street. Officers arrived as the participants were dispersing. Officers were able to identify the involved drivers and vehicles. More vehicles were stopped at various locations with the drivers being arrested and their vehicles being towed.

During these events, a motorcycle was involved and fled from officers when an enforcement stop was attempted. With the assistance of CCSO STAR 3, officers were able to follow the motorcycle safely and later located the rider. The rider was taken into custody with his motorcycle being subsequently towed and stored.

The remaining group of drivers then made their way into the City of Concord. The Concord Police Department was aware of what was occurring in the eastern end of the county. They were able to disperse the remaining participants from their city. After this last incident, it appears the participants stopped for the night and no other incidents were reported.

Nearly 60 citations were issued. 50 of the citations were for infield arrests for reckless driving offenses directly related to “sideshow” activity. This resulted in 55 vehicles being towed and stored. There were three other arrests as a result of this enforcement for charges of driving under the influence, felony evading, and a warrant arrest for robbery.

This type of reckless driving has become a regular occurrence in the Bay Area. It is an extreme danger to those involved and even more of a danger for the un-involved citizens who unfortunately become victims of the illegal activity. Due to the officers pro-actively addressing this issue, several of the involved drivers will now be without their vehicles for an extended period and will also be facing possible fines from the Courts. Officers in Contra Costa County will continue to address these incidents with zero tolerance.

As a reminder to those who choose to show off their driving skills, public roadways are not the proper venues for this type of behavior. There are sanctioned events and locations throughout the state that allow this type of driving. Often rewarding drivers for their skills while providing a safe environment to all.

This preliminary information is made available by the Community Policing Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Richmond High P.E. teacher sentenced to 3 years in state prison for sex with minor

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Israel Ayala-Lopez; Photo by Richmond PD.

By Scott Alonzo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Earlier this week, Israel Ayala-Lopez (27-years-old) of Richmond pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, Jane Doe, and he will serve three years in state prison. Ayala-Lopez will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Ayala-Lopez at the time of his arrest in the late summer of 2019, was a physical education teacher and soccer coach at Richmond High School. He received his teaching credential from the state of California in 2017.

Ayala-Lopez had sexual relations with the victim multiple times from at least April 2019 until August 2019. He was arrested by the Richmond Police Department and has been in custody since our Office filed criminal charges against him. Ayala-Lopez was also a collegiate athlete at San Jose State University and California State University Monterey Bay for their respective soccer teams.

To protect their confidentiality, our Office does not release the name or age of the victim, or their relationship to a defendant for this type of case. A criminal protective order was also ordered by the judge to prevent the defendant from communicating with the victim.

The case was investigated by the Richmond Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. DDA Jewett is assigned to our Sexual Assault Unit.

Case information: People v. Israel Ayala-Lopez, Docket Number 02-330632-1.

Hercules couple arrested with stolen mail following Antioch police chase into Pittsburg Tues. night

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The car driven by the mail theft suspects and recovered stolen mail. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Late last night, an alert resident contacted our Dispatch Center to report suspicious individuals in a blue BMW going through mailboxes in the Mira Vista Hills Neighborhood (Robles Drive at Silverado Drive). Officers not content in seeing our residents be victimized saturated the area and found a matching vehicle stopped in front of a mailbox on Candlestick Drive. As the officer was checking the license plate, the driver (who apparently had a guilty conscious) sped-off and led us on a chase to Pittsburg. Luckily there was hardly anyone out, and this guy wasn’t the best driver, because his mad dash was halted as his tires bounced off a curb on the Loveridge off-ramp (nice work curb!).

Instead of calling it quits, both the driver and passenger tried to see if officers were keeping up on their exercise routine and led us on a sprinting activity for a few hundred yards. Fortunately, our officers had not been skipping the gym that week and were able to take both the driver and passenger into custody without any further malfeasance. Inside the car, officers found stolen mail (including tax refunds!), from numerous victims throughout Contra Costa County, including our own Antioch.

The driver, a 32-year-old Hercules resident, was sent back to jail for a variety of charges, including violating his probation from leading officers on two previous high-speed chases. The passenger, a 34-year-old Hercules resident, joined the driver in jail for similar charges including violating her probation for identity theft.

We love when our residents see something suspicious and call us to investigate. Mail theft is a huge problem throughout our region and leads to other crimes like identity theft, fraud, and forgery. Installing a locking mailbox is a good preventative measure, but we also wanted to inform our fine residents of a FREE service offered by the Postal Service called “Informed Delivery.” Each day, the Post Office will email previews of the letters and packages scheduled to arrive at your house. Interested residents can follow this link to sign up for this service:

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/…/pages/intro/start.action

As always, if you see something – say something! If you witness a crime in-progress, give our Dispatch Center a call on 9-1-1 or at (925) 778-2441 if you don’t think it’s an emergency. We love catching the bad guys and gals but can’t always do it without your help!

Walnut Creek Police arrest four for $2,700 shoplifting spree

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Four shoplifting suspects arrested. Photos by WCPD.

By WCPD

Stolen items recovered.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at approximately 2:00 PM, WCPD Officers made a traffic stop on a black Dodge Charger. Four individuals were contacted and confessed to stealing merchandise from Broadway Plaza. A subsequent search of this Dodge revealed over $2700 in stolen merchandise from Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Destiny Dixon, Jasmine Grotegeer, Charlie Mosley and Tyree Santee were arrested for numerous theft related charges and probation violations. They were transported to county jail. This is a reminder to all criminals that Broadway Plaza is for shopping not shoplifting.

Concord man arrested for Tuesday stabbing, charged with attempted murder

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Suspect Jose Mario Aguilar. Photo by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, just after 3:10 p.m., Concord Officers responded to a fight on Meadow Lane near Riley Court. When the first officer arrived on scene, he discovered the victim lying on street with multiple stab wounds. The suspect fled the area but, was located by one of our observant officers half-a-mile away. Several witnesses positively identified the suspect, 25-year-old Concord resident Jose Mario Calonge Aguilar, as being responsible for repeatedly stabbing the victim. At this time, it appears the attack was unprovoked.

The victim was transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

The Concord Major Crimes Unit actively investigated this case. Some of this brutal attack was captured on surveillance and shows numerous vehicles stopped in traffic while the victim was being assaulted.

Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 CASE UPDATE: The suspect, Jose Mario Aguilar, was located by one of our officers and positively identified by several witnesses. Much of this brutal attack was captured on home video surveillance systems located in the neighborhood, which assisted Concord Major Crimes Unit Detectives with their investigation.

We wanted to let you know that yesterday the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Aguilar for attempted murder (P.C. 664/187), and assault with a deadly weapon (P.C. 245(a)1) with enhancements. Aguilar will be held in custody on a $1.19 million bail. As we previously posted, the victim in this case is in stable condition. Thank you to the community members who called 9-1-1 and who assisted us with our investigation.

If you were in the area and witnessed any portion of it please contact Detective Loercher at (925) 603-5922 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call (925) 603-5836 and refer to case #20-2163.

 

Concord police arrest man with 60,000 images and videos of child porn

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Suspect Preston Brumley. Photos by ConcordPD.

By Concord Police Department

Back on November 6, 2019, we introduced you to Preston Brumley. The Concord Police Department received credible information from our friends at the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (I.C.A.C) and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, that Brumley was in possession of Child Pornography. Members of the Concord Police Special Victims Unit served a search warrant and located Child Pornography on Brumley’s computer. Brumley was arrested then released pending forensic download of all the computers Brumley was in possession of. That forensic download revealed that Brumley possessed more than 60,000 images and videos of child pornography.

On February 10, 2020, the case was presented to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, who filed felony charges against Brumley, who made his first court appearance yesterday.

We would like to thank our associates at the I.C.A.C. Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office for their help in this case and for their collaboration, inclusion, and tireless efforts to keep children safe from people like Preston Brumley.

Four suspects charged for auto repair insurance fraud from undercover operation in Contra Costa

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Working for auto body shops in Concord, Richmond and Pittsburg

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

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance partnered to conduct an undercover operation targeting auto repair insurance fraud in Contra Costa County. Today investigators arrested the last two of four employees at four different auto repair shops caught in the sting operation.

Auto repair shops provide estimates to customers for insurance claims knowing that the customer’s ultimate decision on whether to proceed with the repair, and pay for it, may depend on the insurance company approving and paying out for the claim. This can create an incentive for the estimator to overlook or even encourage a customer known to be committing a fraud. Accepting business with knowledge or reckless disregard for the fact that a customer intends to commit insurance fraud is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and an additional fine of up to $50,000.

An undercover officer visited several auto body repair shops in Contra Costa County and told estimators that they wanted to claim and repair pre-existing damage on a new insurance policy initiated after the damage occurred. The officer requested a repair estimate from the shop to assist with the false insurance claim.

Four individuals have been charged in the sting operation including:

Kyle Coburn (30-years-old) of AW Collision in Concord;

Marco Hernandez (49-years-old) of 101 Auto Body in Richmond;

Estephanie Gonzalez-Marquez (26-years-old) of Tepa Autobody in Pittsburg;

Vu Hoang (33-years-old) of Kee’s Auto Body in Concord.

The District Attorney’s Office also reminds consumers to be wary of listening to anyone who suggests lying to an insurance company related to an insurance claim. Providing false or misleading information in support of an insurance claim is a felony punishable by up to five years state prison and an additional fine of up to $50,000.

Anyone with information about possible auto insurance fraud can report that information to the District Attorney’s Office via email at DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org

Police arrest suspect connected to bank robberies in Contra Costa County

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Bank robbery suspect Brendan Gray. Photo by CCCSheriff.

Alamo resident

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

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at about 3:35 PM, Lafayette and Walnut Creek Police arrested 41-year-old Brendan Gray at his home in Alamo. Gray is a suspect in a series of recent bank robberies that occurred in Contra Costa County.

On February 19, 2020, at about 3:46 PM, a bank robbery happened at the Wells Fargo Bank on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. During the investigation, Detectives determined that robbery was connected to one that occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank on Moraga Way in Orinda on February 12, 2020, and at a Wells Fargo Bank in Walnut Creek on February 1, 2020.

Lafayette Police Detectives, assisted by Danville Police, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and Walnut Creek Police were able to identify a suspect vehicle and identify Brendan Gray as the suspect in the robberies.

An arrest warrant was obtained and with the assistance of Walnut Creek PD, Gray was taken into custody without incident. Gray was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three counts of first degree robbery. He is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.

The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding these cases to contact Detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us. Tips could also be emailed to the Lafayette Police Department at: 94549TIP@gmail.com

Walnut Creek man sentenced to prison for trying to meet minor online for sex acts

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Suspect Justin Arthur Cook. Photo courtesy of CCDA.

WARNING: Graphic content

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, Calif. – On Friday February 14, 2020, Justin Arthur Cook, a 34-year-old Walnut Creek resident, pleaded guilty to one count of arranging to meet a minor to engage in sex acts. Cook was immediately sentenced to four years in state prison by the Honorable David Goldstein and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

On August 4, 2019, Cook used a social media site to inquire about family incest. An undercover police officer contacted Cook and they began to message each other. During the conversation, and over the next four days, Cook learned the undercover officer had a 7-year-old daughter and made repeated statements he wanted to sexually abuse the young girl. On August 8, 2019, Cook traveled to Target in Walnut Creek to purchase a bottle of “lube” and then to an apartment complex in Walnut Creek to meet the child. Cook was arrested and admitted to communicating with the undercover officer.

On August 12, 2019, Cook was charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and he has remained in custody since the date of his arrest. Cook will begin to serve his sentence immediately. Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

The investigation was conducted by a 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, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, 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. The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Concord Police Department’s Violence Suppression Unit for the substantial assistance they provided with the investigation.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.

Case information: People v. Cook, Docket Number 05-191646-9

Technology executive wants media to enter war against ransomware, work with FBI

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PC Matic CEO calls on nation’s newspapers to help combat threat of cyberattacks

By Daniel Borsuk

The financially hobbled newspaper industry already faced with downsizing, needs to join the fight against the growing cyberattack crisis, a leading ransomware industry executive said Wednesday.

Noting that struggling United States newspapers can play a vital economic role in their communities, PC Matic Chief Executive Officer Rob Cheng on Wednesday called on the nation’s newspaper publishers and editors to play a bigger role in combatting the rising threat of cyberattacks that can strike business, government, schools, hospitals, or all forms of enterprise.

“The American press are the first responders in every city, town, county, and school district that can raise the public conscience and understanding about the threats of ransomware attacks in our society,” said Cheng.

Cheng announced an unusual proposal whereby the U.S. media would work with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in combatting cyberattacks in many activities of American business and life.

Whether such a cooperative information feed between federal-local law enforcement authorities and the press could feasibly and legally work is unclear. At least with this observer, it might infringe on the freedom of the press amendment issues if the FBI inquires where and how a news reporter compiled information concerning an alleged cyberattack case. This might present constitutional legal questions.

The Contra Costa County Library System was a victim of a cyber security attack, just last month. It affected all library branches and the Martinez administrative offices, which experienced a network outage due to a ransomware attack. The Library worked with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office to investigate the attack. (See related article).

Cheng could not address how the United States press can respond to this growing threat to every sector of American business and society when the American newspaper industry is financially under stress.

The news industry has numerically declined with one in five local newspapers closing since 2004 due in part to advertising going to online news startups, according to a 2019 University of North Carolina study.

When asked what the ransomware war has cost United States business, Jeff Gaynor, a retired Army Colonel securities communications officer speaking on behalf of PC Matic, answered, “We don’t know what cyberware attacks have actually cost the U.S. business sector. It’s been swept under the rug.”

But Gaynor said United State insurance companies need to do a better job of controlling the huge $1 billion ransomware payouts to policyholders.

“This is a risk-based decision, you betcha!” said Gaynor.