Being held on $10 million bail; victim was 22-year-old Danny Guyse

By Pittsburg Police Department

It was September 27th, 2000, when Pittsburg Police Officers received a call about a man who had been shot while sitting in his car at 1605 Railroad Avenue. The victim was 22-year-old Danny Guyse of Pittsburg. Sadly, after he arrived at the hospital, Mr. Guyse died of his injuries.

Pittsburg Police Detectives had very little to work with in building a homicide case. There were no viable leads at the time. The only worthwhile information was that the person responsible possibly fled the scene in a light-colored Ford Mustang.

As with all homicide investigations, detectives continually worked the case over the following year. Ultimately, the investigation was assigned to the department’s Cold Case Unit in a continued effort to determine Mr. Guyse’s killer.

Over the next two decades, numerous suspects and persons of interest were developed and investigated.

In 2019 detectives got a break in this case and identified 44-year-old Paea Tasini as possibly involved in this homicide. As a result of the newly learned information, detectives authored a search warrant where detectives obtained additional information critical to the case.

Based on the newly obtained information and continued work by detectives, this case was taken to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. On February 17, 2021, the District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint charging Tasini for the murder of Danny Guyse. Tasini was additionally charged with another count of attempt murder related to a separate shooting that also occurred in 2000. Late Wednesday evening, with the assistance of the Elk Grove Police Department, detectives located Tasini at his residence in the city of Elk Grove and placed him under arrest. Tasini is currently being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $10 million bail.

 

Drone, K9 used to apprehend suspect

By Brentwood Police Department

Tuesday afternoon residents were startled when a man entered their apartment through an unlocked slider door carrying a sawed-off shotgun. Fortunately, the quick actions of the residents allowed them to safely flee the apartment and dial 9-1-1. Officers quickly responded to the apartment complex and attempted to communicate with the unknown man, speaking to him in English and in Spanish, in an attempt to peacefully disarm him.

Luis Martinezortiz of Brentwood (55 years old) did not comply with officers’ commands and instead fled the apartment, shotgun in hand, running to the rear of the complex. Due to the nature of the situation and the location, a drone had been deployed above the apartment complex, giving officers an aerial view of the apartment complex grounds.

The drone tracked Martinezortiz through the complex giving officers updated information on his location. K9 Marco arrived on scene and immediately began searching for Martinezortiz. Thanks to the extensive training our K9’s receive, K9 Marco located Martinezortiz effecting a successful arrest. Martinezortiz was transported to county jail and booked on burglary, possessing a loaded sawed-off shotgun, carrying a loaded firearm in public and carrying a loaded firearm and not being the registered owner.

The use of a drone and the assistance of K9 Marco were key components of a safe conclusion, perhaps sparing the public and our officers serious injury.

 

Being held on $1 million bail at county jail

By Pittsburg Police Department

The Pittsburg Police Department can now release the name of the man involved in last Saturday’s officer involved shooting as 32-year-old Kerdell Deon Lillard of Oakland.

In addition, pursuant to Pittsburg Police policy, we have decided to release officers’ body worn camera footage and in-car video of the incident in an effort to foster transparency and trust with our community. Although, we are unable to release all raw video in its entirety due to the ongoing investigation, the video provides an abbreviated view of the incident. (WARNING: Graphic video)

Early Saturday afternoon, Pittsburg Police Officers were called to a commercial business in the 2900 block of Harbor Street regarding a man, Lillard, on top of the roof of the business. When officers arrived, Lillard had already climbed off the roof and was standing next to a car in the parking lot. Officers asked Lillard to stay where he was, but he ignored their commands. That’s when Lillard reached on top of the car’s rear tire and picked up a handgun. Lillard then ran in the opposite direction.

As another officer arrived on scene, the officer observed Lillard running through the parking lot. The officer asked him to lay on the ground several times. Initially, Lillard appeared that he was going to comply with the officer’s request. Lillard then ignored the officer’s commands and momentarily ran back behind a car, eventually running back towards the officer and pointed the handgun at the officer. The officer then used his service weapon once, striking Lillard in the arm. Lillard immediately dropped the handgun and fell to the ground.

He yelled “I’m being framed” multiple times and “these are fake cops”.

Officers placed Lillard into handcuffs and immediately began rendering medical aid until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital and thankfully, treated for his injuries and has been transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. A loaded gun was recovered from the scene.

The officer involved in the incident is a member of the Pittsburg Police Department Patrol Team and is identified as Officer Richard Beltram. Officer Beltram has been a police officer for almost two years.

According to LocalCrimeNews.com, Lillard has a history of arrests. In 2014 and 2015 he was arrested for multiple crimes including burglary, battery on spouse/former spouse/co-habitant and drug possession. Then, last May, he was arrested by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies on multiple drugs and weapons charges.

The Contra Costa County Officer Involved Incident Protocol was enacted and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is in the process of completing an independent investigation into this incident. The Pittsburg Police Department’s independent outside investigator is also conducting an independent investigation of the incident pursuant to department policy.

On Wednesday February 3rd, the Contra Costa County District Attorney reviewed this incident and filed two counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, ex-felon in possession of ammunition, along with enhancements. Hillard remains in custody with a $1,000,000 bail.

This remains an active investigation.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Pittsburg Police Department

Early Wednesday morning, Feb. 3, 2021, shortly after 10:30 A.M Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the 1500 Block of Jensen Drive on the report of a man possibly injured and laying in the street. As officers arrived on scene, they located the man and found him to be suffering from two gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The man stated he was in an altercation with another subject prior to the shooting. Officers immediately started life saving measures until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to an area hospital and is listed in critical, but stable condition.

Pittsburg Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the location to assist in the investigation. From initial information it is unknown why the man was shot, but it appears the man and the suspect know each other, and this is an isolated incident. Detectives are currently contacting witnesses and obtaining statements. Additional information is not available at this time.

The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

 

Dozens rescued, hundreds arrested

By Pittsburg Police Department

On January 29th, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Pittsburg Police Department personnel took part in a statewide human trafficking operation. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is an annual multi-agency initiative that focuses on rescuing victims of human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, and identifying and arresting their captors. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout the state joined in the operation this year to continue a no tolerance focus on human trafficking and sex crimes.

This year, the Pittsburg Police Department joined with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, and over 100 other agencies throughout the state of California to combat Human and Sex Trafficking. This statewide Task Force is an example of how individual law enforcement agencies can work together to be more effective when they join together.

As the operation took place throughout the state, Pittsburg Police Detectives were hard at work in our own community, making three arrests related to human trafficking crimes. In addition, several other suspects in human trafficking cases were identified. These arrests are part of the over 450 arrests and 39 rescues that were made throughout the statewide operation.

We were proud to do our part in making Operation Reclaim and Rebuild a big success in Contra Costa County.