Contra Costa Herald

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

Student publication, LMC Experience, honored by Journalism Association of Community Colleges

By Leave a Comment

LMC Experience staff and awards at the Associated Collegiate Press Spring Media Conference in Long Beach on March 8, 2025. Photos courtesy of the Experience.

Students win 17 awards

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, Calif. – Los Medanos College student publication, Experience, won 17 awards in the 2025 Annual State Publication and On-the-Spot contests of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

Winners were announced March 8 at the annual Associated Collegiate Press Spring Media Conference held jointly with the Journalism Association of Community Colleges in Long Beach, Calif.

The Experience brought home the Pacesetter Award, the highest JACC state award for the print edition. As a staff, the Experience earned the meritorious prize for General Excellence. Additional awards included first place for front page layout, first place for news judgment, first place for audio and first place for feature photo.

Experience adviser Cindy McGrath praised the work of LMC student journalists who continue to pursue and achieve excellence as they work to fulfill the role of watch-dog journalists and provide relevant news to the college community and beyond.

“Our program is growing, and this year’s staff has worked tirelessly to inform and entertain the college community with important and interesting news,” McGrath said. “The student reporters and editors are passionate about journalism, and I am proud of the work they do to follow their dreams of working in a free-press that supports democracy in America.”

Competition Awards, complete list:
• General Excellence — Experience Staff
• Meritorious for enterprise news story/series – Aliyah Ramirez, Gabbie Munoz, Jordan Suisala, and Darcy Meadows
• First place for front page layout – Gabbie Munoz and Aliyah Ramirez
• First place for feature photo – Sarah Capperauld
• Second place for inside page layout – Aliyah Ramirez
• Second place for editorial – Chijioke Onyeagucha
• Fourth place for photo illustration – Alexis Ramirez
• Honorable mention for photo illustration – Alexis Ramirez
• Honorable mention for critical review – Sarah Capperauld
• Honorable mention for podcast/audio news – Ricky Montejo, Jordan Suisala and Malilitimari Suisala
• Honorable mention for photo essay – Juan Cebeiros
• Honorable mention for sports action photo – Juan Cebeiros

On-the-Spot Contest Awards, complete list:
• Pacesetter Award, print edition
• First place for news judgment and layout – Gabbie Munoz
• First place for audio news – Jordan Suisala
• Third place for critical review – Lesly Fisiiahi
• Honorable mention for news writing — Koen Steers

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

After five years Brentwood City Manager moving on

By Leave a Comment

Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden. Photo: City of Brentwood

Tim Ogden takes new position as General Manager for services district in Elk Grove

By Melissa Ballesteros, Executive Assistant, Brentwood City Manager

BRENTWOOD, CA – After five years of service to the City of Brentwood, City Manager Tim Ogden has announced that he is moving on to serve as General Manager of the Cosumnes Community Services District (CCSD) in Elk Grove, CA. CCSD provides emergency medical, fire protection, parks, and recreation services for over 210,000 Sacramento County residents. Ogden’s last official day with the City will be April 26, 2025, and an Interim City Manager will be appointed to temporarily fill the post.

“I am proud to say the Brentwood community is in very good hands at all levels of staff, and that the values-driven work in support of residents will be sustained throughout this leadership transition,” said Mayor Susannah Meyer. “We are fully committed to the continuation of all city services as we navigate the process to bring in a new City Manager. Our dedicated staff and team of directors have built an internal infrastructure that is prepared to withstand changes at any level, and we appreciate the community’s trust as we move forward together.”

“On behalf of the City Council, we thank Tim for his service to the community and wish him the best in his new endeavors,” she concluded.

Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new Sand Creek Road segment as the council members listen on Jan. 28, 2025. Photo: Allen D. Payton

Ogden has been City Manager since February 2020, and during his time, the City has realized numerous strategic initiatives that have served city residents and visitors well. Most recently, his efforts in support of the City Council have resulted in numerous community engagement forums, the expansion of Sand Creek Road, the opening of a new Costco, and the continued marketing and development of the Innovation Center @ Brentwood to attract even more job growth.

Reflecting on his time with the City, Ogden said, “I have loved serving the community of Brentwood that has been my home for the last five years. It has been an absolute honor to work with such amazing staff and to celebrate the accomplishments of the Council inspired visions for a better Brentwood.”

The City Council will be meeting soon to outline a plan for the recruitment and selection of a new City Manager and will prioritize stability and the continued delivery of excellent services throughout the process.

For more information, please contact Tim Ogden, City Manager, at togden@brentwoodca.gov.

 

4 Pleasant Hill convenience store robbery suspects arrested in Antioch following police chase, crash

By Leave a Comment

The suspects crashed their stolen getaway car into a fence. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies and other emergency personnel with one of the suspects in the back of a Sheriff’s vehicle on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Photos by and courtesy of Mike Burkholder, ContraCosta.news

3 males, 1 female fled in stolen vehicle; police helicopter, Antioch & Pittsburg PD, CCC Sheriff’s Office assist

See 4/1/25 Update: Suspects identified; all four are from Antioch, one was arrested for similar charges in December and January

By Allen D. Payton

According to Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Jason Kleven, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, “The Pleasant Hill Police Department responded to a report of a possible robbery in progress at the 7-Eleven store parking lot located at 601 Patterson Blvd. Two delivery truck drivers were making a scheduled delivery when several suspects stole multiple cartons of cigarettes from the truck’s cargo area. No weapons or injuries were reported during the theft.

The suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Pleasant Hill Police Detectives later located the vehicle traveling on Highway 4 near Concord. With the help of a police helicopter, the vehicle led authorities to the city of Antioch, where the vehicle stopped near Fremont Elementary School. Four suspects then fled on foot from the vehicle.

With the support of Antioch Police, Pittsburg Police, the Sheriff’s Office, and the helicopter, officers set up a perimeter. All four adult suspects were apprehended and arrested.

The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

According to a press release by Lt. Joe Njoroge of the Antioch Police Field Services Bureau, “At approximately 2:57 p.m., APD Dispatch received a report about a suspect vehicle involved in a previous incident in Pleasant Hill. APD was requested to assist in locating the vehicle, which was quickly found in the area.

While driving near the intersection of F Street and W. 13th, the suspect vehicle collided with a fence. The suspects then fled the scene on foot. Pleasant Hill PD arrived shortly after, and with the assistance of the Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff and APD, all suspects were apprehended.”

Njoroge later said the four suspects included three males and one female.

Antioch Police issued a Community Alert on Facebook Thursday afternoon that they were “working in the area of Antioch Middle School and the surrounding area of F Street from W. 13th to W. 18th. Expect heavy police presence in the area. If you see anything suspicious, please call 911 or (925) 778-2441 immediately.”

Later APD provided an update, writing, “We have now cleared the area. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. There is no danger to the community, and the subjects we were looking for have been arrested. Stay safe, and as always, report any suspicious activity to 911 or (925) 778-2441.

4/1/25 UPDATE: According to Pleasant Hill Police, the four suspects were 20-year-old Robert Lee Crawford (born 12/9/04), a six-foot tall, 165-pound Black male from Antioch, 19-year-old Robert Samule Garcia-Scrape of Antioch (born 7/22/05), a five-foot, 11-inch tall, 200-pound White male with blond hair, 21-year-old Jailen Emani Scales of Antioch (born 2/3/04), a six-foot tall, 200-pound Black male and 24-year-old Marieilacqua Bartholomew, a five-foot, one-inch tall, 130-pound Black female, also from Antioch. 

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Crawford is being held in the West County Detention Center on no bail; Garcia-Scrape is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail and his next court appearance is on April 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 03, Superior Court, Mt. Diablo; and Scales is also being held in the West County Detention Center on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, Scales was arrested last year, on Dec. 6th by San Francisco Police for burglary, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place, receiving or concealing stolen property, and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer. He was arrested again on Jan. 15, this year by Fremont PD for robbery, carrying a loaded firearm and with intent to commit a felony, carrying a concealed weapon with a large capacity magazine, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, and elder or dependent adult abuse.

No additional information could be found through online searches for Bartholomew. However, according to Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Jason Kleven, she is also still in custody. 

Pittsburg author publishes first children’s book

By Leave a Comment

We Are Twins cover and author Larena Baldazo. Photo by Railroad Book Depot

Larena Baldazo’s “We Are Twins” based on experience with own daughter

Sales benefit Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation

Pittsburg resident and now local author, Larena Baldazo, has launched her first children’s book, We Are Twins.

The story recognizes differences while celebrating similarities, especially among children with unique learning styles and special needs. This simple story packs a big message for young readers, with a goal of bringing awareness to everyone’s needs and fostering inclusiveness.

This book aims to serve as a tool to start the conversation and lead with intentionality. We Are Twins focuses on two friends, Luli and Valentina, to explore the idea that it is our differences that make us special, and our similarities are what spark long-lasting friendships. At first glance, the girls are nearly complete opposites, how can they be twins? Do people have to be exactly alike to become and stay friends? Read it for yourself and find out!

We Are Twins is now available in-store and online at the Railroad Book Depot. Oh, and shipping is free! The book retails for $19.99 and 30% of each sale goes toward arts and literature programs through the Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation.

Order here or buy it in-store at: 485 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg, CA.

About the Author
With a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Digital Media, and a plethora of blog posts as a writer for Baby Center’s Spanglish Mamis channel, Larena Baldazo’s passion has always been for storytelling. Over the years, her creativity led her down a path of marketing, creating content for social media, and web producing for brands and big names such as the San Francisco Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and then on to public service.

Behind the stories, the photography, and the Instagram lives, Larena’s first job is being a mom. She and her husband live in Pittsburg, and if you look at the illustrations in this book closely, you may see some familiar spots if you know the area well enough. Just after Larena’s daughter turned three years old, she was diagnosed with 100 percent hearing loss in her right ear and a learning disability. With little information, so many questions and a lack of guidance, Larena quickly learned that she needed to be her daughter’s advocate to get her the support services she needed. Whether that was in the doctor’s office or at school.

We Are Twins is inspired by her daughter, not only because of her journey, but because this was something she would often say when she felt a connection with someone or shared the same interest. Once again, Larena’s daughter had introduced her to a new way of thinking…that it is our differences that make us special, and our similarities are what spark long-lasting friendships.

Antioch: Deer Valley High students, advisor featured in COVID-era documentary “The Class”

By Leave a Comment

Two of the six students featured, Kadynce and Ebei at DVHS Cheer Practice in Antioch, CA. Source: Three Frame Media

Watch first episode tonight at 9 pm on KQED Channel 9

A six-part limited docuseries entitled, “The Class” following six students from Deer Valley High School in Antioch, CA as they pursue higher education dreams during a challenging pandemic year, begin airing tonight, Monday, March 24, 2025, on KQED Channel 9 at 9:00 p.m. It premiered on PBS stations beginning March 18, 2025.

The series arrives exactly five years after the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down schools across the U.S. in 2020. The Class is made available to PBS by KQED Presents, the national distribution service of KQED, the San Francisco-based PBS and NPR member station.

From Tony- and Grammy-winning Executive Producer Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting, Snowpiercer, Hamilton), Executive Producer Nicole Hurd (President, Lafayette College) and award-winning filmmakers Jaye and Adam Fenderson (First Generation, Unlikely), this dramatic six-part series was filmed over the course of the 2020-2021 school year and documents the remarkable challenges faced by these high school students during the pandemic and a particularly critical moment in their personal and academic development. With resilience and determination, they face obstacles head-on, inspired by their dedicated college adviser, known as “Mr. Cam.” His guidance empowers them to overcome barriers and unexpected challenges toward their dreams of a college degree.

“We hope these students’ stories restore faith in the promise of college and the opportunities it provides for those who came of age during the pandemic. It has been an incredible journey to make this series, and we’re so grateful to Daveed, Nicole, KQED, and the extended village that has come alongside to make it possible,” stated Jaye and Adam Fenderson of Three Frame Media.

The Fendersons connected with Nicole Hurd through College Advising Corps, the organization she founded, and were immediately drawn to its model of training recent college graduates to serve as advisers in public high schools. When planning the project during the early days of the pandemic, their vision was to capture an adviser guiding students who had missed the end of their junior year—along with crucial milestones like SATs—through the college application process. However, when production began during the summer of 2020, the pandemic was far from over, and the story evolved into something far more complex and powerful than they had originally imagined.

A wide virtual search for potential advisers across the country found Mr. Cam, with his charisma and passion for the work shining through, making him an essential subject for the series. With him and Deer Valley High School on board, the team met with many incredible students and selected six seniors – Ahmad, Ebei, Emily, Javonte, Kadynce, and Raven – as subjects who represent a wide range of voices and perspectives shared among their generation.

Set in the East Bay, the series captures the essence of the community—from the local crew to the musical artists featured—creating a deeply authentic reflection of the place the students call home. Hurd introduced longtime friend and Oakland native Daveed Diggs to the project and he signed on to Executive Produce, lending his song “Night Time” to the series’ main title theme.

“High school has always been a challenging time, but in the age of COVID, it took an extra dose of courage and perseverance to succeed. As an Oakland native and a fierce advocate for expanding opportunities in education, I am proud to be a part of ‘The Class, ’ which highlights the stories of six incredible Bay Area teens as they fight to achieve their dreams,” stated executive producer Daveed Diggs.

Throughout the launch of the series, the filmmakers will engage in a national impact campaign, encouraging audiences to discuss their experiences living through the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected their mental health and overall well-being as it pertains to their academic and social lives. The series and impact campaign is made possible with support in part from the John M. Belk Endowment, Lumina Foundation, Gates Foundation, Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Ascendium Education Group, Ballmer Group, Uplifting Capital, Ellucian, and ECMC Foundation.

The Class debuted on PBS on March 18, 2025 (check local listings), with new episodes airing weekly and streaming on the PBS app. It airs on KQED channels as follows: Fridays at 8pm on KQED 9 starting 3/21, Saturdays at 6pm on KQED 9 starting 3/22, Mondays at 9pm on KQED 9 starting 3/24, and Sundays at 8pm on KQED Plus starting 3/23.

To learn more about the series, visit theclassdocumentary.com Episode 1 can be viewed here if you don’t catch an upcoming listing time. www.pbs.org/show/the-class/

The Class cast – Top Row (L-R): Mr. Cam, Ahmad, Ebei and Emily. Bottom Row (L-R): Javonte, Kadence and Raven. Photos: Three Frame Media.

ABOUT THE CAST Mr. Cam Originally hailing from Oakland, Cam has returned to his alma mater Deer Valley High School as a college adviser. A first-generation college graduate himself, Cam is the only college adviser on a campus with 2000+ students and works tirelessly to empower his students as they navigate the ups and downs of this unprecedented school year

Ahmad Basketball means everything to Ahmad who transferred to Deer Valley High School to play for their championship winning team. But with indoor sports on hold, this year’s season remains uncertain and Ahmad worries about his sports prospects.

Ebei A highly decorated track and field star, Ebei is the youngest of five siblings. On top of being a dedicated student, Ebei juggles a busy schedule as an ASB leader and cheerleader and strives to keep school spirit alive despite the unprecedented start to their senior year.

Emily Hailing from a close-knit family, Emily is the middle child of five sisters. While the pandemic sent students home to learn, Emily’s frontline job in food service remained in-person. Now she juggles working part-time while trying to keep up her grades to get into college.

Javonte Javonte has come into his own during high school emerging as an outgoing leader. He has the grades and accolades to go on to college, but with so much uncertainty in the world he starts to reconsider his options.

Kadynce As a cheerleader and member of the Mock Trial Team, Kadynce is quick to let her voice be heard. She dreams of attending a 4-year university, going on to law school, and fighting against issues of injustice but the COVID pandemic has made even her best laid plans feel uncertain.

Raven A self-taught musician, Raven picked up his first instrument at the age of 7 and enjoyed being part of the Deer Valley High School award-winning choir. Raven aspires to attend a 4-year university but with the challenges of remote learning, he worries about his grades and chances of getting in.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS: Adam Fenderson and Jaye Fenderson, Directors and Producers The Fendersons are an award-winning husband and wife filmmaking team and the founders of Three Frame Media, an independent production company focused on character-driven storytelling that engages audiences and drives impact. Together, they directed and produced the critically acclaimed documentary First Generation, which follows four high school students striving to become the first in their families to attend college. The film’s success led to Go College! Now, an educational initiative with Wells Fargo aimed at breaking down barriers to college access. Their follow-up documentary, Unlikely, investigated America’s college dropout crisis and featured influential voices, including LeBron James, Howard Schultz, and leading experts in higher education. The Class is the duo’s first original television series directed and produced through Three Frame Media.

ABOUT THREE FRAME MEDIA: Founded by award-winning husband and wife filmmaking team Adam and Jaye Fenderson, Three Frame Media produces original documentary content that entertains audiences, fosters dialogue, and inspires lasting change. Their award-winning debut film, First Generation, garnered international acclaim as it followed four high school students striving to be the first in their families to go to college. Through theatrical releases, film festivals, and credits spanning NBC, ABC, Lifetime, Discovery, CNBC, and more, their work continues to engage and impact people from across the globe, reinforcing the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.

ABOUT KQED: KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas. kqed.org

10 Los Medanos College STEM students to present research at national conference

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Los Medanos College

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, Calif. – Ten students from Los Medanos College (LMC) will present their work at the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). This is the second time LMC research has risen to warrant national exposure in a field dominated by four-year universities.

The conference will be held April 7 in Pittsburgh, PA.

“Undergraduate research opportunities are incredibly important for students, and I am so proud that Los Medanos College intentionally provides research opportunities within our science courses,” LMC President Pamela Ralston said. “It’s wonderful to see so many of our students selected to present on a national stage.”

LMC was among the first community colleges to adopt STEM course-based research in 2014 and was one of the first members of the National Science Foundation-funded for the Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative in 2015.

Biology professor Briana McCarthy, who was among the faculty spearheading the initiative for LMC, said that when the grant cycle ended in 2018, the college sought another well-respected venue where students could present their research and found NCUR.

“This will be our second year to bring a group of students to NCUR,” McCarthy said. “This is our biggest group yet!” The college sent seven students to the conference last year, when LMC was one of only a handful of community colleges selected to participate.

The national conference, organized by the Council on Undergraduate Research, promotes high-quality, mentored undergraduate research, scholarship and creative inquiry.

Lindsay Currie, executive officer of the Council on Undergraduate Research, said the critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills that undergraduates attain through research are essential in today’s world.

“When colleges and universities actively involve undergraduates in research, they are not only shaping the next generation of scholars and leaders but also accelerating discovery and advancement across disciplines,” Currie said. “The earlier we invest in research experiences, the faster we can drive innovation and progress, while ensuring we have an equipped future workforce.”

Currie said abstract submissions for the conference are on the rise. The event drew 3,500 submissions in 2023 and 4,000 in 2024. The conference is set to surpass 4,000 submissions in 2025. The growth in submissions reflects the growing recognition of undergraduate research as a vital part of academic and professional development, she said.
“The increase in submissions demonstrates that students and institutions alike see the value in presenting research, engaging with peers and mentors, and contributing to the broader scholarly conversation,” Currie said.

LMC STEM Students Presenting at NCUR
Zarah Abatcha – Examining Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid and Phosphorus Deprivation On Root And Shoot Growth In Brachypodium Distachyon (Faculty advisor: Dr. Jill Bouchard)
Michaela Aquino – The Impact of Home-Cooked Shrimp Flavors on Chitin’s Effectiveness in Adsorbing Methylene Blue Dye from Wastewater (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Maddy Delauter – Owl pellets as bio-indicators for heavy metals (Faculty advisor: Professor Briana McCarthy)
Jonathan Mattes – Preparation of Banana Peel Effect on Adsorption of Anionic and Cationic Dyes (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Jazmyn Montes – Adsorption of Methylene Blue using Fish Scales and Fish Chitin (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Daniel Murillo – Adsorption of Methylene Blue using Fish Scales and Fish Chitin (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Carolina Padilla – Adsorption of Anionic and Cationic Dyes with Pumpkin Peels (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Jin Christian Rimando – Predictive Modelling of Wildfire Dynamics: Analyzing the Park and Borel Fires through Satellite Imagery to Enhance Fire Management in California (Faculty Advisor: Professor Julie von Bergen)
Jonathan Reed Ryan – Repurposing Grape Pomace as a Bioabsorbent for Removal of Methylene Blue (Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Capes)
Brianna Wolf – Abundance of Azolla filiculoides on Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (Faculty advisor: Professor Briana McCarthy)

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

About NCUR 2025
The 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines. Overall, this conference offers a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement; provides models of exemplary research, scholarship, and creative activity; and offers student career readiness development. Find out more about the history of NCUR here.

 

Concord man arrested with stolen mail from Brentwood apartment complex

By Leave a Comment

Photos: Brentwood PD

6th arrest in less than 4 years

By Brentwood Police Department

On March 15th in the early afternoon, one of our day shift officers located a vehicle, stolen out of Concord four days earlier, parked in a parking lot in one of our apartment complexes.

The driver of the vehicle, 35-year-old Gustavo Montano-Razo from Concord (born 6/8/1989), ran from the vehicle but after a short foot pursuit the officer apprehended him safely. A search of Montano-Razo, who was also on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), revealed suspected narcotics on his person. Stolen mail, including tax documents from a different apartment complex in Brentwood, were also found in the vehicle. Montano-Razo was booked into jail.

Especially during tax season, criminals are often looking for confidential and personal information that they can use to steal someone’s identity. We would like to remind our residents to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious or loitering around mailboxes. Together we can make Brentwood safer for everyone.

According to localcrimenews.com, this is the sixth time Montano-Razo has been arrested since 2021. His other arrests include assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, vehicle theft, grand theft, burglary and drug possession.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 210-pound Hispanic man is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

21-year-old Brentwood man arrested for possession of 3D-printed machine gun conversion device

By Leave a Comment

Faces up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine; detention hearing on St. Patrick’s Day

By U.S. Attorney – Northern District of California

OAKLAND – A Brentwood man has been charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun conversion device. Noah Kanaye Bauer, 21 (born 12/13/2003), was arrested yesterday and made his initial appearance in federal district court in Oakland this morning.

According to the criminal complaint and court documents unsealed on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, on Sept. 6, 2024, officers with the Brentwood Police Department (BPD) responded to a call regarding an individual with a firearm at a grocery store in Brentwood and found Bauer with a 3D printed Glock style firearm. Officers allegedly removed the firearm from the front of Bauer’s waistband and saw that there was no serial number on it. In a search of Bauer’s home after his arrest for carrying a concealed weapon, BPD officers found a 3D printing machine, three 3D printed pistol frames, and a 3D printed machine gun conversion device in Bauer’s room.

The complaint describes that machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” are designed and created for the purpose of converting a semi-automatic Glock type pistol into a fully automatic machine gun. When BPD officers questioned Bauer on what the conversion devices were used for, Bauer allegedly stated, “to make it shoot faster.”

Bauer is next scheduled to appear in court on March 17, 2025, for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore.

Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Bauer is charged with one count of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the BPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

According to a report by crimevoice.com, the incident occurred at the Raley’s grocery store on
Sand Creek Road. Bauer’s arrest in September 2024 prompted an FBI investigation of him conducted
by the domestic terrorism squad of the San Francisco field office.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 145-pound Bauer is Hispanic and being held on no bail in the West County Detention Facility.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch, Concord men found guilty of Brentwood armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon

By 1 Comment

Following the crash of the suspects’ car, Orey Douglas was arrested car and a gun was recovered on August 4, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

Orey Douglas has history of over 20 arrests since 2014 including for murder, multiple gun and sex crimes

By Brentwood Police Department

Around 1:00 AM Sunday morning August 4th, 2024, Brentwood officers responded to an armed robbery at 50 Sand Creek Road. While officers were interviewing the victim, Oakley PD spotted the suspects’ vehicle in their jurisdiction and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled at a high rate of speed, leading to a pursuit. The suspect vehicle eventually crashed into an embankment off Highway 160.

Brentwood officers arrived at the crash scene and confirmed that the vehicle matched the description of the suspects’ car. Both occupants were detained, and a loaded handgun, along with the stolen property from the victim, was found in the vehicle. The suspect, 28-year-old Orey Azniam Douglas of Antioch, was positively identified and placed under arrest. Douglas was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

This quick and coordinated response not only led to the arrest of the suspect but also likely prevented further crimes.

According to a report by crimevoice.com, they robbed Los Mexicanos Market and the second suspect Sam Donte Gray, 38 (born 11-10-85), of Concord, remained at large until he was arrested on August 8. Douglas was charged with second-degree robbery and three firearms-related charges and was held in the West County Detention Facility on $160,000 bail pending his Oct. 7th court hearing.

On March 3rd, 2025, the suspects, Douglas and Gray, were found guilty of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, along with numerous firearm charges and enhancements.

This case highlights the collective efforts of everyone involved, including patrol officers from both Brentwood PD and Oakley PD, along with our Detectives. Their dedication and teamwork played a critical role in this successful conviction while also ensuring the safety of our community.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-feet, three-inch tall, 215-pound Douglas is Black and has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including police departments in Antioch, Hayward, Fremont, BART, Oakland, San Jose, Vacaville, as well as Sheriff’s Departments in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties, and Contra Costa CHP. Charges include murder, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, multiple gun crimes, sex with a minor and unlawfully causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act by force, carjacking, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, false imprisonment, threatening a witness, evading police and resisting arrest.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, nine-inch tall, 217-pound Gray is Black and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $140,0000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 9, 2025, at 8:30 AM in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, assault with a firearm on a person, felony parole violation and addict in possession of a firearm. Gray was previously arrested on Sept. 8, 2023, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department on order for a person’s removal from prison to appear in court.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Caltrans work on Antioch bridge to continue March 17-21

By Leave a Comment

Source: Caltrans

One-way traffic control for maintenance work.

Expect delays & follow flaggers.

Contra Costa County— Caltrans’ scheduled one-way traffic control on the Antioch John A. Nejedly Bridge (SR-160) to continue Monday March 17th from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Southbound SR-160 from the North End of the bridge to the Antioch Toll Plaza will be closed daily from from March 17-21, 2025. Traffic will be able to flow Southbound in the Northbound Lane when clear by flaggers holding traffic coming Northbound at the South End of the Bridge.
The closure will extend the entire length of the bridge.

A pilot car will be implemented and the speed will be restricted to 25 mph in the work zone.

Caltrans will turn on Changeable Message Signs (CMS) to notify the public ahead of time.
For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/