Contra Costa Herald

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

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Contra Costa Sheriff, DA investigate in-custody death of San Ramon theft suspect

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Occurred at Martinez Detention Facility

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa DA’s Office are currently investigating an in-custody death that occurred at the West County Detention Facility this afternoon.

The male inmate, who is not being identified at this time, was arrested on August 22, 2024, by the San Ramon Police Department for multiple felony theft charges and was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Today, Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 1:56 pm, deputies responded to an unresponsive inmate and immediately called for jail medical staff to respond to the housing unit.

Life-saving measures were attempted by deputies, medical staff, and paramedics. The inmate, who was housed alone, was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The death does not appear to be suspicious.

The county-wide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked, and the investigation is ongoing.

DA files murder charge against homeless Pittsburg man

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By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A Pittsburg man has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with murder and assault in a two-count felony complaint.

Billy Ray Darby, Jr., 28, of Pittsburg, is currently in custody without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was arrested by Pittsburg Police in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Chito Avelino Ituriaga. The incident occurred on August 20th around 6:40 a.m. in the 2200 block of Railroad Avenue near West Leland Road. (See related article)

Police responded to reports of a fight between Darby and Ituriaga. Upon arrival, officers found Ituriaga with serious head and neck injuries. Police administered life-saving actions, but Ituriaga was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. Witness accounts led police to locate Darby nearby.

Darby is charged with one count of murder [PC 187(a)] and one count of assault likely to produce great bodily injury [PC 245(a)(4)]. His arraignment is scheduled for August 23rd at 1:30 p.m. in the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa in Martinez.

Case No. 04-24-01660 | The People of the State of California vs. Darby, Billy Ray, Jr.

Former Antioch Police officer convicted by federal jury of conspiracy, wire fraud

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Former Antioch Police Officer Morteza Amiri was convicted by a federal jury on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Herald file photo

Morteza Amiri is last of six Antioch, Pittsburg officers convicted of conspiring to defraud their departments by obtaining payments and raises for university degrees they paid a third party to complete

Information provided on cases for four other former Antioch officers

By U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California

OAKLAND – On Thursday, August 8, 2024, a federal jury convicted police officer Morteza Amiri of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the City of Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain in his name, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.  The felony verdicts follow a four-day trial before United States Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White.  Amiri is the sixth officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with former Pittsburg Officers Patrick Berhan, Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash and Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, former Antioch Community Service Officer Samantha Peterson and former Pittsburg Police and Oakland Housing Authority Officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa. (See related article)

Former officers who pleaded guilty this year: Pittsburg officers Amanda Carmella Theodosy (aka Nash), Ernesto Juan Mejia-Orozco and Patrick James Berhan. Photos: Pittsburg PD. Former Antioch Police Community Service Officer Samantha Peterson. Photo: Antioch PD. (No photo of Oakland Housing Authority officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa could be located).

“We expect integrity and honesty from every police officer, every day, in the police departments across this country,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “Amiri failed to uphold these basic responsibilities, and a federal jury has convicted him of defrauding his employer, the Antioch Police Department.  He, along with the other officers he conspired with, now face the consequences of violating the rule of law that they swore to uphold.”

“Amiri engaged in a calculated conspiracy to defraud his police department of taxpayer funds. His actions were a violation of the law and a grave betrayal of public trust,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Amiri and his co-conspirators’ deception has no place in law enforcement. With this conviction, he now faces the consequences of his actions.”

Amiri, 33, was employed as a Police Officer with the Antioch Police Department.  At trial, the evidence presented showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree.  However, instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and financial incentives from their police department employers, the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg.  They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments.

In a span of two years, the conspiracy included numerous other officers and former officers, including Berhan (Pittsburg PD), Amiri (Antioch PD), Theodosy a/k/a Nash (Pittsburg PD), Peterson (Antioch PD), Mejia-Orozco (Pittsburg PD), and Rodriguez Jalapa (formerly Pittsburg PD).

The evidence at trial showed that Amiri texted the person who took his classes for him, writing among other things: “can i hire you [ ] to do my … classes? ill pay you per class”; “don’t tell a soul about me hiring you for this. we can’t afford it getting leaked and me losing my job”; “if i submit my request for the degree on time by the end [ ] of the month i can coordinate my raise in a timely manner”; and “I’m gonna rush order my degree to get my pay raise jump started.”

On the basis of courses taken by this person, Amiri “earned” a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Amiri applied for and thereafter received financial incentives from the City of Antioch for having completed university courses and earning a bachelor’s degree.

The jury convicted Amiri of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.

U.S. Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White scheduled Amiri’s sentencing for November 12, 2024.  Each of the two counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The Court may also order a fine, restitution, and supervision upon release from prison as part of any sentence.  However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned multiple indictments on August 16, 2023, that collectively charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with federal crimes.  Amiri is the last officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud case.

Amiri is scheduled for trial in another related case in February 2025.

Former Antioch officers arrested on Thursday, August 17, 2023, are Eric Allen Rombough, Devon Christopher Wenger, Timothy Allen Manly Williams and Daniel James Harris. Photos: APD

Here is the status of the cases: (Rombough, Wenger, Manly Williams and Harris are former Antioch Police Officers).

Case Number Statute(s) Defendant

(Bold: multiple case numbers)

 Status
23-cr-00264 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24
Morteza Amiri Convicted at trial 8/8/24, sentencing set for 11/12/24
Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash Pleaded guilty 7/30/24, sentencing set for 11/5/24
Samantha Peterson Pleaded guilty 1/9/24, sentenced 4/23/24
Ernesto Mejia-Orozco Pleaded guilty 6/11/24, sentencing set for 9/17/24
Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa Pleaded guilty 6/25/24, sentencing set for 10/22/24
23-cr-00267 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Timothy Manly Williams Pending
23-cr-00268 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Daniel Harris Status set for 8/13/24
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);

18 U.S.C. § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)

 Devon Wenger
23-cr-00269 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Morteza Amiri Trial set for 2/18/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Eric Rombough
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Devon Wenger
24-cr-00157 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24

This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.

Murder charge filed against Richmond man in DUI collision

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Victim Ricardo Funes and his damaged car. Photos source: Impulso News Facebook page

Takes life of 16-year-old boy

Bail set at $1.1 million, already bonded out

Suspect arrested in 2021 for sex with and lewd acts upon a minor under 14

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A Richmond man has been charged with murder that took the life of a 16-year-old minor in a DUI-related collision.

30-year-old Alexi Alexander Pineda Ticas faces a three-count felony complaint. In addition to the murder charge [PC 187(a)], Pineda Ticas was charged with driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury [VC23153(a)] and driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury [VC23153(b)]. Both counts two and three come with enhancements alleging great bodily injury [PC12022.7(a)] that caused the offenses to become serious and violent felonies.

“This tragic incident has not only taken the life of a teenage boy, but it has also devastated his family,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “We will seek justice by holding the defendant accountable for actions that were both deadly and reckless. An incident like this is an emotionally wrenching reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.”

The fatal collision occurred just after midnight on July 15th in Richmond, when the victim was leaving his mother’s residence. As the teen was driving away, a vehicle driven by Pineda Ticas traveling at excessive speeds drove through a stop sign on Ohio Avenue and South 20th Street in Richmond and crashed into the teen’s vehicle. The severity of the collision caused the teen to die from his injuries shortly after the incident. Pineda Ticas sustained non-life-threatening injuries that were treated at a hospital in Walnut Creek.

On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Martinez, Pineda Ticas was arraigned on the charges. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail was set at $1.1 million.

The scene of the fatal DUI collision in Richmond on July 15, 2024. Photo by Richmond PD

According to a report by Bay Area Telemundo Channel 48, the teen was identified as Ricardo Funes of Richmond. His aunt, Claudia Barajas said, “Ricardo’s car was parked here in front of the gate, he was going to leave when he was hit, and at the same speed that the other car was carrying, he pushed him to that yellow house.”

Marta Barajas, Ricardo’s mother, described him as a young man who was always happy and although his departure hurts her, she assured that she feels calm.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of July 16, Pineda Ticas had bonded out of custody.

According to localcrimenews.com, he is five-foot, eight inches tall, 165 pounds and was previously arrested in February 2021 in Kern County for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, lewd acts upon a child, rape by a foreign object on a victim under 14 who is more than 10 years younger and attempting to contact a minor with intent to commit an offense.

The night of July 15, the Richmond Police Department posted on their Facebook page about the fatal DUI collision writing, “Don’t Let a Drink Turn into a Tragedy.

The impaired driver’s decision to drive drunk robbed a family of their child. When you choose to drive under the influence, you’re not just risking your own life—you’re endangering everyone on the road. Alcohol impairs your judgment, slows your reaction time, and reduces your ability to make safe decisions. A single moment of poor judgment can lead to devastating consequences.

Before you head out, make a plan: arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a rideshare service. Your choices matter, and your safety is worth it.”

Case No. 02-24-00933 | The People of the State of California v. Pineda Ticas, Alexi Alexander

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report

Richmond, Hayward men charged for cutting 911 service in parts of West Contra Costa

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Arraignment scheduled for Thursday afternoon

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges on June 25th against two men who cut a utility line that severed 911 service for residents in Pinole, Hercules, and San Pablo.

31-year-old Jesus Francisco Arias-Ayala of Hayward and 49-year-old Daniel Antonio Mena-Diaz of Richmond were arrested by Pinole Police on June 22nd. On that evening, around 7:15 pm, officers responded to reports of a 911 system outage. They traced the issue to a bridge near the Pinole-Hercules city line on San Pablo Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Arias-Ayala and Mena-Diaz under the bridge.

After a brief chase, both suspects were apprehended, arrested, and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

After reviewing the case, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged Arias-Ayala with a felony for cutting utility line [PC 591], felony vandalism [PC 594(a)], a misdemeanor for resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer [PC 148(a)(1)], and a misdemeanor for possession of burglar’s tools [PC 466].

Mena-Diaz’s two felony charges are the same as Arias-Ayala, as is one misdemeanor charge of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer.

Both men are scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 pm on Thursday, June 27th in Martinez.

Case No. 02-24-00829 | The People of the State of California v. Arias-Ayala, Jesus Francisco

Case No. 02-24-00830 | The People of the State of California v. Mena Diaz, Daniel Antonio

Olivehurst woman, accountant for Richmond business, pleads guilty to embezzling over $900K

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Agrees to pay restitution, 10-year prison sentence reduced to 3 years

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea with Angela Fae Brown for offenses related to identity theft, money laundering, grand theft, tax evasion and false impersonation.

Brown, a 53-year-old (born 9/22/1970) resident of Olivehurst, CA in Yuba County, was charged in April 2024 on a six-count felony complaint with a special allegation of aggravated white-collar crime. While working as an accountant, Brown embezzled over $900,000 from her employer, a paver company in Richmond. The illegal financial scheme occurred between September 2017 and November 2022, wherein Brown used her accounting skills to exploit financial vulnerabilities in the company to enrich herself. (See related article)

On June 14th, Ms. Brown accepted a negotiated disposition where she pled guilty to an amended 12-count complaint. To fulfill the terms of the plea, the court will suspend her 10-year prison term for three years and place her on formal probation so she can seek and maintain employment to pay restitution. Moreover, assets Brown accumulated during the period she was embezzling and stealing from her employer will be liquidated. The funds from the sale of those assets will be applied to restitution payments. $907,087.00 will go to the victim, and $61,860.10 to the Franchise Tax Board of California. Any violations of the terms of the plea agreement mean that Ms. Brown could be subject to the state prison system to serve the remainder of her sentence.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “When seeking justice for victims of white-collar crimes, it’s important to find effective ways to make a victim’s financial loss whole again. This agreement holds the defendant accountable for the offenses and is structured for repayment of stolen funds.”

Case No. 02-24-00513 | The People of the State of California v. Brown, Angela Fae

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 190-pound Brown is Black, was arrested by Richmond PD, is being held on no bail at a Custody Alternative Facility and scheduled to be released on Oct. 15, 2024.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Vallejo man charged in injury hit and run DUI in Walnut Creek

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A Vallejo man faces multiple charges stemming from a collision that injured two people at the Walnut Creek Farmers Market.

The incident occurred around 5:17 am on Sunday, June 2nd, on Locust Street in Walnut Creek, between Cole and Lacassie Avenues. This section of the street is typically closed on Sundays for a Farmers Market. While vendors were setting up, 33-year-old Jose Manuel Chavez (born 8/31/90) struck two female victims with his vehicle, causing serious injuries to both women. After the collision, Chavez fled the scene.

Walnut Creek Police responded quickly to emergency calls and located Chavez’s damaged vehicle entering I-680 at Lawrence Way. Officers pulled him over on Buskirk Avenue, near the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station, by 5:20 am and arrested him shortly after. (See related article)

On June 5th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Chavez in Superior Court. He faces three felony charges, some with enhancements, and one misdemeanor. The complaint includes two felony counts of driving under the influence (DUI) causing injury to both victims [VC 23153(a)]. These charges include enhancements related to injuries sustained by both victims. Chavez is also charged with felony hit and run resulting in serious injury [VC 20001(b)(2)] and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license after a DUI offense [VC 14601.5(a)].

Chavez was arraigned today, Thursday, June 6, at 1:35 pm in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. He remains in custody at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond.

Case No. 01-24-02263 | The People of the State of California v. Chavez, Jose Manuel

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, six-foot, 230-pound Chavez is being held on no bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Backed by the badge: Ledo announces endorsements of law enforcement in Assembly race

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Source: Ledo for Assembly campaign

Sonia Ledo proudly announced today she is the only State Assembly candidate in District 15 who is dorsed by four local police associations and the Deputy District Attorneys Association in Contra Costa County.

Ledo secured endorsements from the Walnut Creek Police Association, Concord Police Association, Martinez Police Officers Association and BART Police Officers’ Association. The Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorneys Association also endorsed the Assembly candidate for her commitment to address low-level crime and keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

“As representatives of the Martinez Police Officers Association, we wholeheartedly endorse Sonia Ledo for the California State Assembly seat in District 15,” said Martinez POA Board President Sean Angoco. “Sonia Ledo’s unwavering support for law enforcement is unparalleled. Sonia’s commitment to addressing urgent issues such as public safety is deeply rooted in her understanding of the critical role law enforcement plays in safeguarding our communities.

We believe Sonia Ledo’s unwavering support for law enforcement, coupled with her fairness, transparency, and strong work ethic, make her the ideal candidate to represent us in the State Assembly. We urge you to join us in supporting Sonia Ledo on November 5th for a safer and brighter future for California.”

Concord Police Association Board President Paul Van Diver referred to Ledo as “a true champion for public safety and community well-being”. He believes Ledo is “an obvious and compelling choice for endorsement because her consistent dedication to upholding important values only solidifies her as an exceptional candidate.”

Shane Reiss, President of BART Police Officers’ Association said, “BART POA endorses Sonia Ledo because she’s the only candidate in this race that opposes Prop. 47 and she believes in enforcing laws and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets.”

“I am honored to have earned the endorsements of so many local law enforcement organizations within Assembly District 15”, Ledo said. “It says they believe in me to go to work on day one in Sacramento and address the failed policies of the last decade. Such failed state policies have made us less safe in our communities while shopping, enjoying public spaces, and even in our own homes. We need new direction in Sacramento and that’s what I will bring”, Ledo said.

Her plan for improving public safety is a comprehensive four-part approach that includes a focus on police, prosecutors, judges and rehabilitation.

Ledo will work for:

  • Better recruitment, training and technology programs for our police departments;
  • Tougher mandates for prosecution of criminals by our district attorneys;
  • Stricter sentencing guidelines for our judges; and
  • Mandated rehabilitation and transition services for first-time offenders and those who have served their time.

For more information, contact Sonia Ledo at info@SoniaLedo.com call 925-567-9988 or visit SoniaLedo.com.

DA: 2023 police use of force death of Richmond man “lawful and justified”

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A screenshot from video of a body-worn camera shows a Richmond Police officer shooting Kevin James McDonald on June 28, 2023. Herald file photo

66-year-old Kevin James McDonald was in home with suspect arrested on multiple firearms charges.

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office’s report on the use of force death of 66-year-old Kevin James McDonald in Richmond is now publicly available.

The Law Enforcement Involved Fatality Incidents (LEIFI) report summarizes the results of the District Attorney’s Office’s independent criminal investigation, including a summary of an autopsy, the outcome of a coroner’s inquest, a legal analysis of the facts, and a determination of criminal liability.

District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized: “Six years ago, my office made a commitment to transparency by releasing Law Enforcement Involved Fatality Incidents reports publicly. Since then, we’ve continued this practice. I firmly believe this policy has helped build public trust and improve public safety in Contra Costa County.”

In June 2023, the Richmond Police Department investigated a firearm offense by a Richmond resident. On June 28th, they arrested that suspect and secured a warrant to search his home for evidence. Prior to searching the residence, officers were made aware that another individual, Kevin McDonald, who wasn’t a suspect, also lived at the home.

A team of officers responded to the home and announced their presence and purpose upon arrival. After receiving no answer, they entered the home to secure the scene, continuing to announce themselves as they searched.

During the search, officers approached a closed bedroom door and announced themselves again before opening it. Inside, they found Kevin McDonald seated nearby, armed with a loaded assault rifle. He raised the weapon toward the officers. Faced with an immediate threat of deadly force, Detective Robert Branch and Sergeant Alex Caine fired at McDonald in self-defense and to protect others. Struck by gunfire, McDonald was pronounced dead at the scene. (See related article)

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s office reviewed the officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 28th, 2023. The legal analysis considered all the available evidence (totality of the circumstances). Based on this review, the District Attorney has concluded that the officer’s use of deadly force was lawful and justified. No charges will be filed in this case.

For more details about the incident, read the full LEIFI report for Kevin James McDonald. Video footage from one of the officer’s body worn cameras can be viewed here. WARNING: Graphic, violent content.

Concord YouTuber found guilty of reckless driving, speeding, fleeing police

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Posted videos of his 2022 actions exceeding 120 mph on 680, other Bay Area freeways

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office & Officer Andrew Barclay, PIO, California Highway Patrol

On April 3, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office convicted a Concord man for multiple incidents of extreme speeding and reckless driving on Contra Costa freeways, which culminated in a police pursuit through a residential area in Concord.

In late spring of 2022, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received public complaints about a gray BMW speeding and driving recklessly on Interstate 680 between Contra Costa and Solano counties. The CHP opened an investigation, which led officers to a YouTube channel belonging to 33-year-old Scott Andrews Kitfield (born Jan. 17, 1991). The channel contained numerous dashcam videos posted by Kitfield. These videos documented his dangerous driving behavior, including speeding well over 100 mph on Bay Area freeways, racing other cars, and weaving through traffic at high speeds while endangering nearby commuters. Kitfield’s comments on the channel further confirmed his disregard for safety by boasting about his reckless actions.

CHP investigators identified Kitfield as the reckless driver in the BMW and YouTube videos.

The investigation also confirmed Kitfield frequently sped on I-680 and other Bay Area freeways, exceeding 120 mph.

Photo: CHP Golden Gate Air Operations

On July 14, 2023, investigators from CHP’s Golden Gate Investigative Service Unit (ISU) planned an operation to arrest Kitfield and stop his reckless driving. A CHP aircraft tracked his car as he drove home from Solano County to Concord in the afternoon. CHP officers saw Kitfield speeding over 110 mph on Interstate 680 as he crossed the Benicia-Martinez bridge. He even went faster than 120 mph while racing another car through Martinez.

Just after passing a CHP patrol vehicle, Kitfield swerved abruptly across the freeway and exited at Willow Pass Road and drove into a residential area. A CHP officer in a marked patrol car followed him and tried to pull him over as he turned around at a dead end. Instead of stopping,

Kitfield led the CHP officers on a chase before finally stopping his car and surrendering. Officers from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the arrest.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of May 12, 2024, Kitfield was being held under Supervised Custody in “Another Facility”.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.