Contra Costa Herald

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

Martinez, Sacramento teenage women arrested for attempted murder in stabbing of Antioch man

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By Acting Sergeant Loren Bledsoe #4055, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at approximately 9:33 PM, a 50-year-old Antioch male victim called 9-1-1 to report he had been stabbed in his apartment. Officers arrived to find the victim suffering from multiple life-threatening stab wounds. Officers on scene rendered first aid until fire department and ambulance paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to a local area trauma center and is currently listed in critical condition.

Prior to being transported, the victim reported being attacked by two female visitors. Both suspects fled the scene with the victim’s vehicle and personal belongings.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, at approximately 11:58 AM, Elk Grove PD officers located the victim’s vehicle in their city, occupied by two 19-year-old females, one, a Martinez resident and the other, a Sacramento resident. Both female adults were taken into custody without incident and transported back to APD for questioning. This case is still being investigated.

This preliminary information is made available by the Investigations Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Adrian Gonzalez at (925) 779-6923 or 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.

Delano man sentenced to life in state prison for sexually abusing Antioch girl

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

Last week, Donaciano Rodriguez a 66-year-old resident of Delano, California, was sentenced to 94 years to life in state prison for sexually abusing a minor in Antioch. His sentence was determined by the Honorable Judge Laurel Brady in Department 31 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.

The jury in this case found Rodriguez guilty of 11 felonies ranging from oral copulation, sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and forced lewd acts upon a child. Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney with our Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The trial occurred in late June and lasted eight days. Our Office would like to extend gratitude for the Antioch Police Department for their work investigating the case.

“The victim in this case and her family were very cooperative during the investigation and trial. Without their help there would be no justice. The defendant committed heinous crimes against Jane Doe that will forever impact her. I am thankful that the jury followed all the evidence and held the defendant accountable,” DDA Tierney stated.

In 2017, Jane Doe bravely came forward to the police to report the assaults which occurred years earlier. The victim reported that the defendant repeatedly assaulted her and threatened her if she came forward to authorities. Antioch Police continued the investigation and the defendant was eventually arrested later that year in Kern County. He has remained in custody since his arrest.

When the defendant was arrested by police, he admitted he molested the minor multiple times. He even demonstrated to the investigators what he did to Jane Doe. The attacks against Jane Doe occurred in multiple locations in Antioch.

Case information: People v. Donaciano Rodriguez, Docket Number 05-182336-8

 

Please tell CCTA: East County needs freeway from Brentwood to Tracy for long term economic growth

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The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is holding Telephone Town Hall Meetings to inform the public of the Initial Draft 2020 Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) and get their input before finalizing the plan and placing another tax measure on the March 2020 ballot to fund it. The meeting for East County will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 8 (see previous post on this website, below)

The plan (www.ccta.net/theplan) currently has a total price tag of $3.061 billion and the tax is in addition to the county’s current half-cent sales tax for transportation from Measure J, which voters approved in 2004 and expires in 2034. The new tax would last until 2050. The CCTA attempted to pass a similar additional half-cent sales tax in 2016, known as Measure X, but it failed. The only new section of roadway in the entire county in that plan was the $117 million “limited access” connector   between Vasco Road and the Byron Highway, next to the Byron Airport. Voters overwhelmingly voted against the measure and it failed.

Fortunately, that project was included in the Regional Measure 3 expenditure plan which did pass. But, RM3 didn’t include the long-planned Route 239, the proposed four-lane freeway between Brentwood and Tracy, which will connect East County to Interstate 5, the economic lifeblood artery of the state.

That road has been on the books for over 60 years. But, planning for it only began in 2013 as part of what was known as the TriLink Project, as it crossed the three counties of Contra Costa, San Joaquin and a sliver of Alameda, and was to also include two lines of transit down the middle, connecting the end of the BART line in East County to Tracy.

However, the TriLink Project website is no longer active and neither the four-lane freeway nor the transit lines are included in Contra Costa County’s plans for the next 30 years.

Yet, it’s Route 239 that will ensure East County’s long-term economic viability, allowing current businesses, including agriculture, to get their products to market quicker. Plus, it will open up our area for greater local job creation, and complete what I refer to as the beltway around Mt. Diablo, eliminating the cul-de-sac effect with the three two-lane roads connecting us to the east and south.

Antioch and East County have the freight rail connecting us to the east and west, plus the river connecting us to the world, to move goods. But we only have Highway 4 and BART connecting us to the west for moving people and goods.

Central County folks oppose Route 239 saying it will “induce growth in East County.” But they’ve been saying that for almost 50 years about every new road improvement, including the Hwy 4 Bypass/extension, which we had to fight for over four years from 1994-98 to just get approvals, not any money. In fact, it was that same mindset that prevented Hwy 24 from being extended to East County back in the 1970’s and the result is a surface road with the three names of Ygnacio Valley Road, Kirker Pass and Railroad Avenue, today.

I grew up in Walnut Creek and moved to Antioch because it was more affordable. In fact out of all us who attended the 35th reunion of the Northgate High School Class of ’81 in 2016, only four classmates still lived in Walnut Creek. Where did many move to? East County. So, as I said to my fellow elected officials when I was on a panel during a transportation conference back in the late 1990’s when I was serving on the Antioch City Council and Contra Costa Transportation Authority, don’t blame us for the growth. They had kids and we needed somewhere to live that we could afford. That was when East County was pushing for funding and approvals for Highway 4 widening and the Highway 4 bypass/extension. We received it and those projects are now completed.

It’s time we completed the transportation infrastructure in East County and Route 239 is a key part of it.

Besides, that road won’t induce residential growth. We have the Urban Limit Line to control that. But it will induce economic growth with more local jobs, which is what East County needs.

We need both Route 239 and the transit link between Antioch and Tracy. But, for now, let’s push for funds for the freeway to be included in the county’s new plan. Estimates are it will cost an additional $1 billion. I say add it to the total and let the voters decide.

We need bold leadership from our local elected officials and the voice of “we the people” to make it happen.

Antioch foster father and son charged with sexual abuse of multiple children

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

Earlier this month, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged defendant Simon Chavez, a 64-year-old resident of Antioch, California and his son Simon Magana Chavez, 31-year-old resident of Atwater, California for the sexual abuse of multiple children and unlawfully having sex with a minor.

The elder Chavez was a foster father at his home in Antioch with Contra Costa County’s Children and Family Services. Overall, he fostered young children under his care for at least 18 years.

Simon Chavez entered a not guilty plea to the 63 felonies on July 16 in the Pittsburg Superior Court before the Honorable Leonard Marquez. Chavez is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail is $31.5 million.

Chavez’s son, Simon Magana Chavez was arraigned this past Friday in the Pittsburg Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty to the complaint. The younger Chavez is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related for crimes against two children, including lewd acts against a child and unlawful sex. As recently as 2018, Simon Magana Chavez was a correctional officer with the state of California. The bail for Simon Magana Chavez is $1.23 million.

Both cases are assigned to Deputy District Attorney Diana Weiss with our Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.

Our Office does not release how a victim may know a defendant in a sexual assault case as well as the age or name of a victim to protect their confidentiality.

The investigation is ongoing and active. Members of the public with information about the case should call Antioch Police Detective Kelly Inabnett at 925-779-6932.

Case information: People v. Simon Chavez, Docket Number 04-197245-4; People v. Simon Magana Chavez, Docket Number 04-197264-5.

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

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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.

 

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

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

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.

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.

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.

 

Six-car crash involving Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy on Vasco Road Friday injures 8, three critically

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Six-car accident on Vasco Road, Friday evening, July 19, 2019. Photos by East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

By CHP-Contra Costa

Friday evening at about 5:32 P.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a six-vehicle collision on Vasco Road, just north of Camino Diablo in east Contra Costa County. An on-duty Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy was involved but thankfully only sustained minor injuries.

Three parties from the collision were transported to local hospital’s by CHP helicopter, Contra Costa Sheriff’s office Cal-Star helicopter, and Reach regional helicopter as well. Three other parties were transported to local hospitals by ground ambulance. Thankfully all injured parties sustained non-life-threatening injuries. We’d like to thank our allied agencies and emergency personnel on scene for their help in this incident.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Alcohol and/or drug impairment is not suspected. If anyone has information about this collision, please call the Contra Costa CHP Office at 925-646-4980. Thank you and please drive safe.

Black Diamond Mines closed until Sept. 10 for installation of new coal mining exhibit

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Graphic by East Bay Regional Park District.

The Hazel-Atlas Mine and Greathouse Visitor Center will be closed until September 10 while a new exhibit is installed. No mine tours will be available during the construction period. Sidney Flat Visitor Center, located at park headquarters, will be open on weekends during the summer from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The new Black Diamond Coal Mine exhibit, built into the existing Hazel-Atlas silica sand mine, will be an immersive experience taking visitors into a recreated 1870s coal mine, part of California’s largest coal mining operation. All of the original coal mines at the preserve have been closed to the public and permanently sealed for public safety. Visitors to the new exhibit will experience the sights and sounds of a working coal mine from nearly 150 years ago when immigrant miners worked deep in the earth to supply California with the energy needed to power and transform the state’s economy from rural to industrial. The new exhibit is scheduled to open to the public in the spring.

Black Diamond Mines Naturalist Eddie Willis is looking forward to the new addition to the Hazel-Atlas Mine and Greathouse Visitor Center. “We are excited to showcase this new exhibit which will allow visitors to connect more directly with the coal mining legacy of these hills in a safe and educational way,” said Willis.

To help fund the visitor center exhibit, the Regional Parks Foundation secured two grants from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and Marathon Petroleum.

 

Transportation authority awarded $755,000 to plan future transit between Antioch and Brentwood

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CalTrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) won a Caltrans SB1 Sustainable Communities Planning Grant valued at $755,000 to support a study that will evaluate new transit options between the cities of Antioch and Brentwood in East Contra Costa County.

The East County Integrated Transit Study will guide the development of a plan for providing fast, frequent, high-capacity transit connections between Antioch and Brentwood that will directly integrate with existing local and regional services such as the Antioch BART station and Tri Delta Transit local bus service. The study will also look at improving connections to Capitol Corridor and ACE rail services, as well as proposed future ferry service between Antioch and Martinez. As part of its commitment to sustainable communities, CCTA will focus on new, zero-emission public transit options for potential outcomes of the study.

“Now that Highway 4 has been modernized to improve access to Eastern Contra Costa, I am pleased that we were successful in obtaining these funds to plan for a future that provides more transportation options to support economic growth and mobility for our residents,” says California Assemblymember Jim Frazier.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to harness new transit technology that can integrate with existing systems to create a smart, efficient network that easily connects people to their desired destinations,” explains CCTA Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “This grant will enable us to expedite a much-needed study that will guide valuable transit improvements for Eastern Contra Costa County.”

“CCTA is a forward-looking organization,” states Bob Taylor, Mayor of Brentwood and Contra Costa Transportation Authority Board Chair. “I’ve always predicted a bright future for Eastern Contra Costa County and this grant win lays the foundation for the communities along Highway 4 to connect, grow, and prosper.”