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One of two Lafayette shoplifters arrested following pursuit, crash

June 4, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspects drive wrong way; assistance from multiple agencies includes two helicopters, Sheriff’s K-9

43-year-old from Oakland has history of arrests

By Lafayette Police Department

On Tuesday afternoon, June 2, 2026, at about 2:13, Lafayette police officers responded to a business on the 3500 block of Mt. Diablo Blvd. for a report of two shoplifters who stole items and then fled in a silver-colored Honda.

On Pleasant Hill Road, the suspect vehicle drove past a Lafayette Police officer who attempted to stop the car. The Honda fled leading the officer on a pursuit which the officer terminated and pulled over when the suspect vehicle drove north in the southbound lanes.

The officer later came upon a collision involving the Honda and another vehicle a short distance away. The suspects fled on foot.

Officers from the Orinda Police Department and deputy sheriffs from Valley Station responded to set up a perimeter and help search for the suspects. Helicopters from the California Highway Patrol and East Bay Regional Park District Police also provided assistance.

Pleasant Hill Road was closed at Springhill Road and Green Valley Drive.

A Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office police K-9 located one suspect who was taken into custody and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Another suspect remains outstanding. The two occupants in the car that was struck by the suspect vehicle were taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

According to a report on X (Twitter) by Henry K. Lee of KTVU FOX 2, the business is the BevMo and William Ware, age 43, was arrested.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 210-pound William Pierr Ware, born 9/26/1982 is Black and being held in the West County Detention Facility on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he lives in Oakland and has a history of arrests dating back to 2021 by multiple agencies for crimes including grand theft, organized retail theft, burglary, receiving stolen property, evading with wanton disregard for safety and resisting, obstructing and/or delaying a peace officer.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Lafayette Police Department at (925) 284-5010. Tips can be emailed to: 94549tip@gmail.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: CHP, Crime, Lamorinda, News, Police, Sheriff

Three juveniles cited for reckless e-motorcycle riding in Lafayette

May 30, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

File photo: Lafayette PD

Parents “admonished…they could be cited for child endangerment”

By Lafayette Police Department

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, a Lafayette PD Officer attempted to stop and educate juveniles recklessly riding e-motorcycles (not street-legal) in the downtown area. In two different incidents, the juveniles refused to stop and sped away doing wheelies. Due to the public safety concerns, no pursuit was initiated. After reviewing the incident and speaking with witnesses, the officer identified all three juveniles. The officer later met with the juveniles and their parents to discuss their riding behavior and to educate all parties that e-motorcycles are not street legal. The officer cited all three juveniles for CVC 12500(a) – Unlicensed Driver. The parents were admonished that if their child is caught riding these again, they could be cited for child endangerment.

Here are two recent incidents highlighting the danger of these electric motorcycles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaBKm_cTRYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQKL_NE5h0

Remember: Unregistered electric motorcycles are not street legal.

Learn How to Choose an Electric Bike at https://www.rei.com/…/exper…/how-to-choose-an-ebike.html

Source: Pleasant Hill PD

Electric Bike vs. Electric Motorcycle (CA law)

Class 1 E-Bike: pedal assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph

Class 2 E-Bike: pedal assist plus throttle, max 20 mph

Class 3 E-Bike: pedal assist only, max 28 mph (helmets required, no riders under 16)

Maximum 750 Watts.

Electric Motorcycle: Anything exceeding these specs (no pedals, higher speeds) requires registration, insurance, and a motorcycle license for road use.

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV): Models such as Sur-Ron and Talaria electric motorcycles are designed only for off-road use.

Filed Under: Crime, Lamorinda, News, Police, Youth

Move Bay Area East Bay Summit May 29

May 19, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Free event

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

MTC is a proud sponsor of the Move Bay Area summit series. The East Bay Summit will be held Friday, May 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Don Tatzin Community Hall in the Lafayette Library at 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette.

This free event brings together public officials, community advocates and transportation leaders to look ahead and define the innovative funding strategies and bold transit improvements needed to truly connect the Bay Area.

Seats are limited — reserve a spot today at movebayarea.org and be part of shaping the region’s transportation vision. Breakfast and lunch included.

What to expect:

  • Visionary + Successes Panel— Hear from leaders who are championing the transformational funding and infrastructure needed to deliver mobility, clean air, and healthier communities across the Bay Area.
  • Full-Room Discussion & Activity— Every voice in the room contributes to shaping our shared regional transportation vision.
  • Keynote Q&A— Local luminary answers questions big and small.

 Invited and Confirmed Speakers Include:

  • Opening Remarks by Congresswoman Lateefah Simon
  • Keynote Q&A by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (invited)
  • Seamus Murphy, Executive Director of SF Bay Ferry
  • Ryan Manriquez, Disability Justice Advocate, Civic Spark Fellow and former President of the Associated Students at UC Davis
  • Stephen Baiter, Executive Director of East Bay EDA
  • Robert Rayburn, BART Board Member
  • Debbie Toth, President of Choice in Aging
  • Carlyn Obringer, Concord City Councilmember
  •  Rob Thompson, WestCAT General Manager
  •  Harpreet S. Sandhu, AC Transit Board Member (invited)
  • Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County District 2 Supervisor, Metropolitan Transportation Commission Commissioner (invited)

Who Should Attend: All are welcome: transit riders, transportation professionals, planners, advocates, local officials, community organizations, students, and anyone invested in improving transportation in the East Bay.

Let’s keep up the momentum!

About Move Bay Area

Move Bay Area brings transportation, climate, and health leaders with community in-person to discover commonality and regional solutions to our transportation challenges with the goal of shaping a regional transportation vision together.

Filed Under: Government, Lamorinda, Transportation

DA charges Butte County man with murder in Lafayette homicide

March 24, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspect used hatchet to kill 34-year-old Christopher Jaber

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

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Butte County man with the murder of a Lafayette resident.

35-year-old David Swank Prince is scheduled to be arraigned in court on March 25th for the murder of 34-year-old Christopher Jaber. Prince unlawfully and with malice aforethought took the life of Jaber with the use of a hatchet.

On March 21, 2026, around 11:30 am, a relative of Christopher Jaber called 911 to report a suspicious individual with a hatchet in the backyard area of their property. The caller told dispatch that the individual was breaking into an Accessory Dwelling Unit where Jaber resided. When officers from the Lafayette Police Department arrived at the scene, they located Prince a short distance from the ADU, where he was detained and subsequently arrested. (See related article)

The murder appears to be a targeted act. The investigation into the motive for the murder and whether Prince and Jaber were acquainted is ongoing.

Prince is set to be in court at 1:30 pm in Martinez on Wednesday, where he could enter a plea to the murder charge and enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-26-01746 | The People of the State of California v. David Swank Prince

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, Lamorinda, News, Police, Sheriff

Suspect arrested in death of 34-year-old Lafayette man

March 23, 2026 By Publisher 1 Comment

35-year-old David Prince held on $1M bail, has history of 23 previous arrests including 11 last year

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office & Lafayette Police Department

On Saturday morning, March 21, 2026, at 11:36, Lafayette police officers were dispatched to a suspicious subject at a residence on Westminster Place in Lafayette. Officers arrived and entered the home finding a man who was deceased. A person walking nearby was detained for further investigation in connection with this incident and was later arrested.

He is identified as 35-year-old David Swank Prince (born 12-18-1990) of Chico, California.

Detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office homicide unit and the crime lab responded to the scene.

Saturday evening, Prince was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of murder. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

The victim in the homicide is identified as 34-year-old Christopher Jaber of Lafayette, CA.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 170-pound Prince is Hispanic.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of 23 previous arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies for crimes including battery, vandalism, shoplifting, petty theft, DUI, resisting arrest, reckless driving, evasion with wanton disregard for safety, public intoxication, driving with a suspended license and evasion of public transit fare payment. In addition, Prince has lived in a variety of cities including Walnut Creek, last year, Pleasant Hill in 2023, as well as Berkeley, San Francisco, Oroville and Modesto.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Crime, Lamorinda, News, Police, Sheriff

Robbery suspects wanted in multiple Contra Costa jurisdictions in custody

February 18, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Jarmaya Tillman of Antioch (left) and Allen Charles Benjamin Foster of Oakland (right) were arrested for bank robbery on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Photos: CCC Sheriff’s Office

From Antioch and Oakland, each with history of arrests

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

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at about 1:01 PM, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Valley Station deputy sheriffs responded to a report of a robbery at a bank on the 3100 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo.

The suspect and vehicle descriptions were broadcast to area law enforcement agencies. Danville police were able to identify a license plate associated with the suspect vehicle and began searching for it.

Lafayette police officers also began searching for the suspect vehicle in the downtown area and witnessed an attempted robbery outside a bank on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Blvd. The suspect ran to a waiting vehicle, which fled toward Lafayette Circle. Lafayette police later located the unoccupied car parked on Lafayette Circle.

A replica firearm found in one of the suspects’ backpacks. Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

Lafayette police were able to detain two suspects near East Street and determine they were the suspects in the Lafayette attempted robbery and the Alamo robbery. A search of the suspect’s backpack found a replica Glock firearm. Another police department in the area is investigating a similar incident just prior to the Alamo robbery.

Jarmaya Tillman, 23-years-old from Antioch (born 4/13/2002) and 20-year-old Allen Charles Benjamin Foster of Oakland (born 3/28/2005), were arrested for robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of conspiracy.

Both suspects were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Tillman is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, while Foster’s bail is set at $150,000.

During the search for the suspects, Valley Station deputy sheriffs and Lafayette police were assisted by Danville PD, Orinda PD, Moraga PD and Concord PD.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Tillman is five-feet, 11-inches tall and 160-pounds and Foster is five-feet, 10-inches tall and 195-pounds.

According to localcrimenews.com, Tillman is Black and while an Oakland resident was arrested three times in 2020 and 2021 for burglary, with one arrest including charges for minor in possession of live ammunition and minor shall not be in possession of any concealed firearm.

Foster is Black and this is his ninth arrest since 2023 by five other agencies for crimes including multiple counts of vehicle theft, grand theft, robbery, receiving stolen property and gun charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the 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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Central County, Crime, Lamorinda, News, Police, Sheriff

DUI driver arrested after crashing into downtown Lafayette building

January 26, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Damage was sustained by both the vehicle of the DUI driver who was arrested and the vacant building he crashed into in downtown Lafayette, early Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 2026. Photos: Lafayette PD

By Lafayette Police Department

Early Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, at approximately 20 minutes after midnight, Lafayette PD Officers were dispatched to a vehicle that had crashed into a vacant building at the intersection of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road. Officers arrived on scene, contacted the driver, and subsequently arrested him for driving under the influence.

This incident is a reminder to plan ahead and use a designated driver or a rideshare if you’ve been drinking.

If you see something, say something. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies, or (925) 284-5010 for non-emergencies.

Efforts to obtain additional information and the name of the driver were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check later for any updates to this report.

Filed Under: Crime, Lamorinda, News, Police

Two Oakley boys arrested for grazing man’s head with gunshot

January 20, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

During attempted marijuana buy that goes bad

Following high-speed pursuit to Orinda by Sheriff’s Deputies

By Oakley Police Department

At 1:08 AM on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Oakley officers were dispatched to the area of East Cypress Road and Frank Hengel Way for a report of a possible kidnapping and a shooting. Our officers arrived on scene and found multiple people at the corner of Rubens Way and East Cypress Road. (Many of the people involved in this incident were juveniles so names will not be used.)

Our officers found a male victim with a grazing wound to his head which was determined to be a gunshot wound. Officers began the investigation and determined a group of three Oakley residents (two young adults, a male and a female, and one juvenile female) picked up two other males, who are also juveniles from Oakley. Collectively, the five people began hanging out at Cypress Grove Park in the vehicle of one of the females. The two male juveniles, who were picked up, became angered when the other three would not take them to buy marijuana. At one point the male who had taken part in picking up the two other males got out of the vehicle.

The two males who had been picked up then forced the females to drive away at gunpoint. The female victim driver drove down Rubens Way where she refused to drive any further. She and the other female victim were then forced out of the vehicle by the two male suspects at gunpoint. The two male suspects then drove the vehicle back towards East Cypress Road. The male victim, who had previously exited the vehicle, saw everything that was going on and ran towards the flight path of the fleeing suspects and caught up to them at the intersection of Frank Hengel and East Cypress. One of the male suspects shot at the male victim through the windshield of the female victim’s vehicle several times and struck the male victim in the head with the grazing shot.

The two suspects then fled the scene. We were assisted by deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and one of those deputies saw the victim’s vehicle driving westbound on Highway 4 at a high rate of speed. Deputy Sheriffs initiated a pursuit of the victim vehicle, which took them all the way out to Orinda. The pursuit terminated when the pursued vehicle became disabled on westbound highway 24, in Orinda. Both male suspects were taken into custody and transported back to the Oakley Police Department. It was determined both suspects had warrants for their arrest, in addition to all of the crimes they were just involved in. Both suspects were booked into the Juvenile Hall for those two warrants and:

  • Attempted homicide
  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • Kidnapping
  • Carjacking

The male who had been shot was transported to a local hospital and treated and released.

If anybody has information regarding this shooting, please call the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060 and reference case 26-95.

We thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Orinda Police Department for their vital assistance in this investigation.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, Lamorinda, News, Police, Sheriff

Measles case confirmed in Contra Costa County

January 3, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Possible exposure in Walnut Creek Dec. 17-19, 23, 24 or Lafayette Dec. 21

By Contra Costa Health

Contra Costa Health (CCH) is notifying the public of a confirmed case of measles in the county, identified on Dec. 24, 2025. The individual was contagious in public between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, and people may have been exposed at the locations listed below.

Locations of potential measles exposure:

  • Dec. 17 or Dec. 19: Anthropologie, 1149 South Main St., Walnut Creek
  • Dec. 18: Macy’s, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek; ALO, 1292 Broadway Plaza, Suite 1106, Walnut Creek; Apple Store, 1200 South Main St., Walnut Creek
  • Dec. 21: STAT Med, 3799 Mount Diablo Blvd. #100, Lafayette
  • Dec. 23-24: Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Emergency Department, 1425 South Main St., Walnut Creek

People who were at these locations during the dates listed above may be at risk of developing measles, especially if unvaccinated, pregnant or immunocompromised. Measles can develop seven to 21 days after exposure. If you were at these locations during these times, you should confirm with your healthcare provider that you have been fully vaccinated against measles or have had measles infection in the past.

If symptoms develop, stay home and call your healthcare provider immediately before seeking care so they are prepared to take care of you. Those who have been symptom free for more than 21 days after being exposed are no longer at risk for developing measles.

A large majority of Contra Costa County residents are fully vaccinated against measles and have lifetime protection against infection. CCH encourages all eligible unvaccinated residents to get immunized against measles with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to ensure their protection.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air or on surfaces for over an hour after the contagious individual leaves an area. This makes it even easier to spread to those who do not have protection. Also, a person can spread the virus to others even before they develop symptoms.   Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that spreads over the body.
Although the risk of contracting measles is low for those who are fully vaccinated, members of the public should be aware of the situation and watch for symptoms.

CCH is conducting contact tracing and notifying local healthcare providers to be vigilant for possible measles cases. CCH continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates if more information becomes available.

More information about measles can be found on our website.

 

Filed Under: Central County, Health, Lamorinda, News

Highway 24 Caldecott Tunnel overnight Bore #3 closure for maintenance work

November 6, 2025 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Caldecott Tunnel Bore #3. Photo: Caltrans

Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 10-12th 10:00 PM-4:30 AM

By DeNise Harding, External Affairs/PIO, Caltrans

ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES – Caltrans has scheduled overnight closures of Bore 3 of the Caldecott Tunnel on Westbound State Route 24 (SR-24) for tunnel washing and maintenance.

Starting Monday, November 10, 2025, through Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 10:00 PM to 4:30 AM each night. Bore 3 of the Caldecott Tunnel on Westbound State Route 24 (SR-24) for tunnel washing and maintenance. During the work, all other bores in each direction will remain open. All work is weather dependent.

Traffic Control Measures:

Changeable message signs will be in place to assist motorists traveling in the area. Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time. Please drive with caution through the construction zone. Slow for the Cone Zone.

For 24/7 traffic updates, follow 511.org on Twitter/X. For real-time traffic, visit Caltrans QuickMap at Quickmap.dot.ca.gov. For more information about D4 Projects, visit: Caltrans D4 Current Projects | CleanCA.com | #BeWorkZoneAlert | Twitter/X | Facebook | YouTube

Filed Under: Lamorinda, News, State of California, Transportation

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