Contra Costa Herald

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

Pittsburg retail theft suspect arrested

By Leave a Comment

The suspect stole more than $5,100 of merchandise from the Bath & Body Works store in the Century Plaza. Photos: Pittsburg PD

Stole over $5,100 in merchandise

By Pittsburg Police Department

Dedication and Hard Work Lead to Success

Officer Towner from the Pittsburg PD, who leads the commercial/retail enforcement unit, spearheaded a thorough investigation spanning several weeks into retail and shoplifting incidents at a local Bath & Body Works store in the Century Plaza at 4225 Century Blvd., resulting in a loss exceeding $5,100. During her investigation,

Officer Towner identified a consistent pattern and calculated approach followed by the suspect. Officer Towner successfully apprehended the suspect through her diligence and dedication during one of his attempted thefts. The suspect was arrested and booked for his crimes, and a large portion of the stolen goods was recovered.

This case highlighted the complexities of dealing with retail theft perpetrators and stressed the significance of collaborating with the local business community. Officer Towner’s unwavering commitment exemplified the Pittsburg Police Department’s dedication to public safety and combating retail crime.

Two Turlock, Ceres men arrested for stealing safe from Brentwood business

By Leave a Comment

Two burglary suspects arrested after being found with the stolen safe from a Brentwood business in the in trunk of their car on Wed., April 24, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

The stolen safe in the suspects’ car trunk. Photo: BPD

On Wednesday April 24, 2024, around 11:45PM, Brentwood officers responded to 51 Sand Creek Road, the location of the Dollar Tree store, for a report of an alarm going off in the business. While officers were responding, Dispatch told officers that a safe was stolen from the business and the suspects had just fled from the scene in a car.

Brentwood officers who were circulating the area observed a car traveling at a high rate of speed in the immediate vicinity and the same car was subsequently found unoccupied in a nearby Court.

Officers began searching the area and found 27-year-old Alfredo Jose Barrera of Turlock, and 26-year-old Alejandro RamirezSilva of Ceres, hiding in nearby bushes.

Both Barrera and RamirezSilva were taken into custody, and the car they were associated to contained the stolen safe and burglary tools.

Barrera and RamirezSilva were placed under arrest for Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Possession of Burglary Tools, and other charges. Barrera also had outstanding warrants from another county.

Barrera and Ramirez Silva were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

This successful investigation stands as a testament to the dedication and response of our officers in ensuring the safety and security of our community and businesses.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of April 26, RamirezSilva was no longer in custody and as of April 29, Barrera was also out of custody having been cited and released.

According to localcrimenews.com, Barrera had previously been arrested in 2021 by Modesto PD and in 2022 by Tracy CHP for driving with a suspended license for reckless driving and driving while using a cellular device.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man arrested for DUI, causing multiple vehicle injury collision in Brentwood

By Leave a Comment

While speeding on Balfour Road; bonded out of custody; police seek witnesses

By Lt. Miguel Aguiar, Brentwood Police Department

On April 30, 2024, at around 9:26 PM, Brentwood officers responded to the report of a traffic collision involving multiple vehicles on westbound Balfour Road at McViking Way, between the two shopping centers along Fairview Way. Preliminary investigation revealed, the driver of a Chevy Silverado, identified as Zachary Alan Frances Rau, a 26-year-old male from Antioch, was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed, westbound Balfour Road before colliding with a Toyota RAV-4, driven by a 31-year-old male from Brentwood. The Toyota then collided with a Honda HR-V, driven by a 37-year-old male from Brentwood.

A passenger in Rau’s vehicle, a 26-year-old male from Antioch, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.

The driver of the Toyota RAV-4 was unconscious and unresponsive when officers arrived on scene. He sustained major injuries and required extrication from the vehicle before being airlifted to a local hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries and remains unstable.

The driver of the Honda HR-V was not injured.

Rau was treated a local hospital for minor injuries and subsequently arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury.

The names of all others involved, and any additional information are being withheld at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Rau is white and as of 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, he had bonded out of custody.

Anyone with further information or if you witnessed the collision and have not already been interviewed, please contact the Brentwood Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (925) 634-6911.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

National Day of Prayer East County Prayer Breakfast Thursday, May 2

By Leave a Comment

Deadline for tickets: Monday, April 29

Join in on the 73rd National Day of Prayer as prayers are offered for our nation, state, cities & communities, schools, churches, families & youth, homeless & others in need, military & veterans, first responders, hospitals & medical personnel and businesses.

Space is limited to the first 85 attendees. RSVP and purchase tickets for $32.50 which includes tax and tip, at eventbrite. No profit is being earned from the sale of tickets as all proceeds will be paid to the restaurant.

Luxury Brentwood home for sale

By Leave a Comment

Open House Saturday, April 27

Paid advertisement.

This large, beautiful home has 6 bedrooms, 2 bonus rooms, and 4.5 bathrooms. One highly sought-after feature here is an en-suite (in-law) bedroom on the first floor. The kids can grab some blankets, popcorn, and get nice and cozy in the darkly painted theater room to immerse themselves into an amazing and safe movie experience! While, at the same time, you can escape to your primary suite for a relaxing experience as you soak in the large, jetted tub followed by a movie of your choice in your bedroom-sized retreat.

You will note the class and pride of ownership with upgraded cherry-wood kitchen and bathroom cabinets, 18 square marble tile foyer and kitchen floors, bordered by exquisite Venetian Mosaics, as well as the overall meticulous maintenance. The fireplace can be used by your choice of wood or gas. There are other great features like a water softener (owned), dual zone HVAC serviced annually by Champion, a finished/painted 3-car garage, a sink and cabinets the laundry room, and more! Nestled in the well-maintained Sterling Gate community, this beauty is very near walking trails, shopping, restaurants, and is in the Heritage High School district.

Very quiet inside!

See more photos and details by clicking here.

(Advertise your home for sale on the Herald websites. Email info@antiochherald.com or call (925) 457-5324).

STAND! for Families Free of Violence to hold panel discussions on preventing domestic violence April 30, May 7

By Leave a Comment

Interrupting a lethal moment: A multi-disciplinary panel discussion highlighting collaborative approaches to intervene in potentially lethal domestic violence in Contra Costa.

In Brentwood and San Pablo

This informative event will be held in three locations throughout the county to share information on how STAND!, law enforcement, and medical professionals are working together to interrupt high-risk events and interactions between intimate partner victims and offenders.

Panelists include Ashley Palomino, STAND! Intervention Support Services Manager, local law enforcement representatives, and medical experts in emergency treatment of domestic violence patients.

Registration is free. Register at http://standforfamiliesfreeofviolence.ticketspice.com/lap-speaker-series.

Oakley to celebrate 25th anniversary of cityhood beginning with Birthday Party May 4

By Leave a Comment

The City of Oakley, incorporated in July 1999, is one of California’s youngest cities. Residents enjoy a charming area with an abundant housing supply, quality schools, and a friendly atmosphere that truly make Oakley, “A Place for Families in the Heart of the Delta.” Learn more at either www.ci.oakley.ca.us or www.facebook.com/CityofOakley.

Alexis Gabe homicide to be featured in “On the Case with Paula Zahn” April 24

By Leave a Comment

From City of Oakley

In 2022, our community was gripped with the disappearance of Alexis Gabe, who was a local resident of ours. Our police department became deeply involved in her disappearance and quickly began operating as if Alexis met with foul play. This case ultimately became a case involving several jurisdictions in California and the State of Washington.

The suspect was the ex-boyfriend of Alexis and he was killed during the investigation, further hampering the efforts of local law-enforcement. Partial human remains were found in Amador County later that year and positively identified as those of Alexis. (See related article)

Alexis’ case will be featured on the program “On the Case with Paula Zahn” on April 24, 2024. The program will feature interviews with family members of Alexis and Oakley Police personnel. To see the program, you will need to be able to tune into the Investigation Discovery Channel (ID Channel).

 

Some Antioch Police officers in racist text scandal fired, some back to work

By Leave a Comment

Investigation continues, expected to conclude next week

“…some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.” – APOA attorney Mike Rains

UPDATE: As of Friday, April 12, 2024, APD has 77 current sworn officers of which 50 are on full duty status.

By Allen D.  Payton 

Following up on a February Herald article about the Antioch Police Officers still on paid for the investigation into the racist text scandal since last March, questions were emailed on Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2024, to City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed and Human Resources Director Ana Chavez asking:

“How long can police officers or any city employee remain on paid administrative leave?

Since most of the officers merely received but didn’t send any of the text messages, what possible disciplinary actions can be taken against them? 

When will the officers who merely received but didn’t send any text messages return to work? Have any of them yet? If so, how many?

Can the investigation just go on indefinitely and the taxpayers continue to pay the officers on leave to not do their jobs?

Can’t the officers return to work as each one is deemed to have not committed any fireable offense?

Or do all of them have to wait to return to work until after the entire investigation has been completed?

Have any disciplinary actions been taken against any of the officers, yet? If so, how many? What did they include?

Have any of you been approached or pressured by any of the council members to keep the investigation open and not allow the officers to return to work – other than the public statements by the mayor and Councilwoman Torres-Walker that they want all of them fired?” (See related articles here and here)

No responses to those questions were received from the three city staff members.

At that time, 31 sworn officers were on some form of leave, most of whom were for the text investigation and only 50 on the force were actively working. As previously reported, most of the officers caught up in the scandal only received some of the text messages but didn’t send any. (See related articles here, here and here)

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in response to a resident claiming none of the officers were still on leave due to the text scandal, questions about the officers on leave were asked of Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Acting Police Chief Brian Addington and Mike Rains, attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association.

They were asked if that statement was correct, if all the officers had returned to work and if any of them had been terminated.

Reed responded simply, “The process is still ongoing.”

Addington wrote, “That is incorrect, but I can’t comment further.”

However, Rains shared more details writing, “We have not resolved all the cases. Some are resolved, and some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.”

“I won’t discuss the outcome of administrative cases until all are concluded, probably in a week – 10 days,” he added.

According to a post by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe on his official Facebook page entitled, “April Police Staffing Update” of the 115 sworn officer positions approved in the city budget, there are currently 89 sworn officers including nine Community Service Officers on the force. Of that amount 39 are patrol officers. His report also shares that there are six officer candidates currently in the Police. Academy and seven more are preparing to enter the academy this month.

But it doesn’t mention how many sworn officers are currently active. A question was emailed early Thursday afternoon to both Reed and Addington asking how many of the 80 non-CSO sworn officers are currently active.

UPDATE #1: They did not respond before end-of-business hours on Thursday. However, when asked if he had any comment, APOA Vice President Sgt. Loren Bledsoe responded, “The APOA cannot comment on personnel matters; however, we look forward to the conclusion of the investigation so we can focus on rebuilding.”

UPDATE #2: On Friday, Acting Chief Addington provided the following department staffing details, writing, “As you may be aware, staffing levels can change daily. With that said, as of today, APD staffing levels are as follows:

115 – Authorized sworn staff

77 – Current sworn staff

5 – Modified duty (working but not able to work at full capacity)

22 – On some form of leave

50 – Full Duty Status

39 – Assigned to Patrol – 33 officers, 4 sergeants, 2 watch commanders

7 – Assigned to Investigations – 1 lieutenant

4 – Command Staff

7 – Community Services Officers (4 vacancies).”