Crime | Contra Costa Herald

DA charges two with murder in beating death of Bay Point man

July 27, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspects from Antioch, Bay Point

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

Two suspects involved in a homicide and assault with a deadly weapon case in Bay Point that occurred on Thursday, July 18, 2019 have been formally charged with murder by the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office. Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division presented their case to the D.A.’s Office on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Both suspects remain in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. 20-year-old Abel Garcia of Antioch, who was arrested on July 18, 2019, is held being held on murder, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery charges. 24-year-old Erick Ruiz of Bay Point was arrested Friday, July 19, 2019. He is being held on the same charges. Both are being held without bail.

On Thursday, July 18, 2019, at about 9:09 PM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance in the area of Riverside Drive and Mariners Cove in Bay Point. The caller stated that there was a man who appeared to be beaten in the street. Deputies arrived and found an unresponsive man in front of a home on the 200 block of Riverside Drive. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He is identified as 38-year-old Johnny Burns of Bay Point. Later at about 9:21 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 2700 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. The victim was later treated and released from a local hospital.

The suspect vehicle and suspect descriptions were broadcast to law enforcement agencies in the area. The Concord Police Department later located the vehicle. Deputies responded to that location and took custody of Abel. An arrest warrant was issued for the Ruiz, who was arrested the next day.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or 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.

Two arrested in armed robbery of Round 1 video arcade in Concord

July 25, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Vincent Timmons and Gary Dillahunty. Photos by Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

On May 12th, 2019, Concord Police Officers responded to Round 1 (185 Sun Valley Mall) for an armed robbery in progress. Two masked men forced two employees into a locked cash room at gunpoint where the employees’ hands were zip tied behind their backs and cash was stolen. One of the employees was able to free herself and called for help. Numerous officers responded, cleared the business and found the suspects had fled. It was determined the suspects gained access through a normally secured employee entrance.

Detectives from the Concord Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit began a two month investigation into this robbery. They uncovered a conspiracy involving Round 1 security guard Gary Dillahunty, who was working the night of and facilitated the robbery. Detectives also identified 37-year-old Vincent Timmons as one of the suspects who committed the robbery. Last week a search warrant was served at Timmons’ home in San Francisco. Evidence linking Timmons to the Round 1 robbery as well as an illegal assault weapon, a handgun, and a large quantity of cocaine was found. Timmons, who is on parole for kidnapping, was located at the home and arrested for robbery.

Yesterday, with the assistance of the United States Marshals, 43-year-old Dillahunty, who is on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, was located at a home in Vacaville. He was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for the Round 1 robbery as well as a warrant for violating his parole.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged both men with multiple felonies including robbery, conspiracy, and kidnapping. They both remain in custody at the Contra Costa County Jail.

The investigation into others involved with this robbery, including the second masked suspect continues. The Concord Police Department would like to thank our partners with the San Francisco Police Department and the US Marshal’s for their assistance in bringing both of these suspects safely into custody.

The security guards working at Round 1 at the time of this robbery were employed by an outside security contractor. This information is being shared with the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, a regulator of the private security industry.

Anyone with information about this case may call the Concord Police Department Tip-line at ‪(925) 603-5836.

Brentwood man suspected in Concord homicide arrested in South Dakota

July 25, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Adam Renfroe. Photo courtesy of Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

Earlier this month, Concord Police Officers responded to Motel 6 on Clayton Road for a possible shooting. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Information was quickly gathered, and the suspects were identified as Adam Renfroe and Robert Brown. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit immediately obtained arrests warrants for Renfroe and Brown. (See related article.)

Yesterday morning, July 24, 2019, Adam Renfroe was arrested by US Marshals in Pierre, South Dakota on the murder warrant. Concord Detectives are in South Dakota to continue this investigation and arrange extradition to California. The second suspect, Robert Brown remains wanted in connection to this homicide. His whereabouts are unknown. No further information is available for release at this time.

Anyone with information about this case can contact Detective Giacoletto at (925) 671-3040 or the Anonymous Tip-line at (925) 603-5836.

Arrest made in Six Flags Hurricane Harbor shooting in Concord

July 25, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Donald Sims. Photo by Concord PD.

Felony attempted murder charges filed against him

By Concord Police Department

A nearly week-long investigation into a shooting at the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor shooting has ended in an arrest. (See related article)

On July 13th just before ‪5p.m., a man was shot in the parking lot of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Officers responded to the parking lot where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

With the help of victim interviews and surveillance videos, Concord Police Detectives identified 28-year-old Donald Sims of Oakland as the shooter. Sims already had a warrant issued for his arrest out of the Oakland Police Department for an assault that happened several weeks before the shooting in Concord. On Thursday July 18th, Sims was captured by U.S. Marshals in Sacramento and was transferred to Santa Rita Jail on the Oakland PD warrant.

Our investigation revealed Sims and the victim were involved in a minor dispute in the parking lot of the water park. The victim was sitting in his car when Sims unexpectedly pulled a handgun from his car and fired at the victim.

On Monday July 22nd, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed felony attempted murder charges against Sims along with weapon enhancements for the shooting at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Additionally, Sims was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with an unrelated assault with a firearm case out of Oakland. Sims remains in custody.

Concord Police search for driver in fatal hit and run collision Sunday

July 22, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Concord Police Department

On Sunday, July 21, 2019, at approximately 12:24 A.M., Concord PD Officers were dispatched to a motorcycle vs. automobile collision that occurred near the intersection of Concord Blvd. and Lodato Way. A motorcyclist was traveling east on Concord Blvd. when he attempted to pass a Toyota Prius also traveling east on Concord Blvd. ahead of him. The motorcycle collided with the rear end of the Prius and the solo rider was ejected, landing in the westbound lane of Concord Blvd. A dark-colored pickup truck, traveling west on Concord Blvd., ran over the motorcyclist while he was laying in the roadway. The driver of the truck continued west on Concord Blvd. and was not located. The driver of the Prius remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation.

Due to injuries he sustained, the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by Emergency Medical Personnel. His identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

The collision is still under investigation. Officers are attempting to identify and locate the driver of the pickup truck that left the scene.

Concord Blvd., between Ayers Road and Kirker Pass Road, was closed for approximately three hours for the investigation. No further details are being released at this time.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has any information on this case is asked to contact Traffic Officer Derrick King at the Concord Police Department, 925-671-5880.

Antioch, Bay Point men arrested for beating Bay Point man to death, assault on another Thursday

July 21, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

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

Deputies arrived and found an unresponsive man in front of a home on the 200 block of Riverside Drive. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He is identified as 38-year-old Johnny Burns of Bay Point.

At about 9:21 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 2700 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. The victim was later treated and released from a local hospital.

The suspect vehicle and suspect descriptions were broadcast to law enforcement agencies in the area. The Concord Police Department later located the vehicle. Deputies responded to that location and took custody of 20-year-old Abel Garcia of Antioch. An arrest warrant was issued for the second suspect, Erick Ruiz. The 24-year-old Bay Point resident was arrested Friday, July 19, 2019.

Garcia was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) on the following charges: assault with a deadly weapon, felony battery, conspiracy and participating in acriminal street gang. Garcia is being held in lieu of $140,000 bail. Ruiz was also booked into the MDF for assault with a deadly weapon, felony battery and conspiracy. He is being held in lieu of $160,000 bail.

Detectives are still investigating both incidents to determine if they are linked.

“Boss Lady” convicted of pimping women in Richmond

July 21, 2019 By Publisher 1 Comment

Nicole Hernandez. Photo by Richmond PD.

By Richmond Police Department

On 07-18-2019, 33-year-old Nicole Marie Hernandez was convicted of pimping two women and sentenced to three years in State Prison. The victims were originally intercepted by the Richmond Police while loitering for prostitution in the 23rd Street Corridor on March 21. Hernandez had rented them a room at the nearby Civic Center Motel. Forensic analysis of the victims’ cell phones revealed that the two were working as prostitutes for Hernandez. One of the victims even referred to Hernandez as “boss lady” in evidence recovered from her cell phone.

Human Trafficking Unit Supervisor Dana Filkowski prosecuted the case for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. She emphasized that “just as pimping and pandering crimes don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries, they also don’t respect gender boundaries. Women can be pimps just like men and they will be prosecuted and held accountable just like men.”

If you or someone you know is being pressured or encouraged to engage in prostitution to benefit or help support another person, help is only a phone call away. Contact Community Violence Solutions at 800-670-7273to speak to a confidential counselor. Or visit the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in Richmond, Concord or Antioch to talk to a Navigator about a variety of services and support available right here in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Centers are a family-friendly one-stop center serving victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of interpersonal violence. No appointment is needed and the centers are located at 256 24th Street in Richmond, 2151 Salvio St., Ste. 201 in Concord or 3501 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.

To learn more about human trafficking in Contra Costa County, visit the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition’s webpage at www.contracostacoalition.org.

Four convicted in organized auto insurance claims fraud ring for theft of over $100,000

July 19, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

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

On Monday July 15, 2019, defendants Cornelius Salmer, Antoinette Green, Benisha Seldon, and Jonnie Gilbert pleaded guilty to insurance fraud for their roles in an organized fraud ring. The defendants submitted fraudulent auto insurance claims in excess of $100,000 to insurance companies using multiple vehicles and stolen identities.

Salmer pleaded no contest to six felonies, including three counts of filing a false insurance claim in violation of Penal Code section 550(a)(1) and three felony counts of identity theft in violation of Penal Code section 530.5. Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge David Goldstein sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered him to pay $63,217.26 of restitution pursuant to the terms of the plea.

Seldon and Green each pleaded no contest to two felonies for filing a false insurance claim in violation of Penal Code section 550(a)(1) and identity theft in violation of Penal Code section 530.5. Judge Goldstein sentenced Seldon to three years of formal probation and 180 days of jail and ordered her to pay $32,597.02 restitution pursuant to the plea terms. Judge Goldstein also sentenced Green to three years of formal probation and 180 days of jail and ordered her to pay $19,414.17 restitution.

Gilbert pleaded no contest to a single count of receiving stolen property as a misdemeanor and received a sentence of two years’ probation, 30 days jail, and $2,450.52 of restitution pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement.

The case originated with a referral from the analysts at the National Insurance Crime Bureau that triggered a joint investigation by the California Department of Insurance, the California Highway Patrol, and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators linked multiple insurance claims to the defendants and identified a corridor of suspected mail theft along the Interstate 5 freeway by locating and interviewing the identity theft victims. The investigators traced the money from the fraudulent claims to identify and arrest the charged defendants for this fraud conspiracy.

Deputy District Attorney Greg Chiarella prosecuted the case. DDA Chiarella is assigned to our Auto Insurance Fraud Unit.

The District Attorney’s fraud units investigate and prosecute all forms of insurance fraud, including false claims activity, organized fraud rings, health care provider fraud and kickback schemes, industry insider fraud, and employer premium fraud. You can report suspected insurance fraud by email to DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org.

Hercules man arrested for DUI, evading police

July 18, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Stephen McDonald. Photo by Hercules PD.

By Hercules Police Department

On June 24, 2019, at approximately 1:05 pm, an Officer attempted to stop a red, 2015, Nissan Altima, on San Pablo Avenue near Sycamore Avenue for speeding. The vehicle did not yield for the officer’s emergency lights and turned east onto Sycamore Avenue. The vehicle started to cut in and out of traffic while still ignoring the Officers emergency lights. The vehicle drove through a red traffic light and then continued to weave in and out of traffic east bound on Sycamore Avenue. The vehicle finally yielded in the Rite Aid Parking lot near the Turquoise Drive entrance.

The driver, 53-year-old Stephen McDonald from Hercules, was detained. McDonald displayed objective signs of being intoxicated. McDonald was placed under arrest for Evading the Police and DUI and ultimately transported to jail.

From post on Hercules PD Facebook page on Wed., July 17, 2019.

Richmond man charged for sex trafficking teenage girl

July 18, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Mychal Nelson arrest photo. Courtesy of CCDA.

Investigation started by FBI Safe Streets Task Force

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

On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 34-year-old Richmond resident Mychal Duane Nelson was charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in a felony complaint alleging violations of sex trafficking a minor, pandering a minor, using a minor for sex acts, showing pornography to a minor, contact with a minor for a sex offense and pandering, with allegations that he suffered prior “three strikes” convictions.

In a separate case, Nelson has also been charged with the residential burglary of an apartment in Hercules where losses exceeded $20,000. Nelson is a known associate with a North Richmond Street Gang and has prior arrests for violent crimes. He is currently on State Parole.

The sex trafficking investigation started with the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit. The investigation showed that Nelson was using social media and other forms of communication to actively recruit a 16-year-old girl and encourage her to engage in prostitution. As part of this process, Nelson sent the girl sexually explicit videos and images of himself and requested that she do the same.

During the sex trafficking investigation, Nelson was tracked throughout Northern and Southern California with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Richmond Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department and several federal law enforcement agencies. He was ultimately arrested on July 13 in Hayward by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Social media platforms are frequently used to identify and recruit minors into the commercial sex industry. If you or someone you know are being pressured or encouraged to engage in prostitution to benefit or help support another person, help is only a phone call away. Contact Community Violence Solutions at 800-670-7273 to speak to a confidential counselor. Or visit the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in Richmond or Concord to talk to a Navigator about a variety of services and support available right here in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Centers are a family-friendly one-stop center serving victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of interpersonal violence. No appointment is needed, and the centers are located at 256 24th Street in Richmond, 2151 Salvio St., Suite. 201 in Concord or 3501 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. To learn more about human trafficking in Contra Costa County, visit the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition’s webpage at www.contracostacoalition.org.

Nelson has two pages on Facebook. The first page has his name spelled correctly and showing him living in Richmond. The other has his name misspelled Mychael Nelson and living in Antioch.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Senior Inspector Kevin Coelho at 925-957-8629.

UPDATE: According to Alonso, “there might be additional victims.”

Case Information: People v. Mychal Nelson 01-190646-0; People v. Mychal Nelson 02-330323-7

Allen Payton contributed to this report.