Contra Costa Herald

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

DUI stop in San Pablo leads to arrest for guns, drugs

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Guns and bullets confiscated during DUI traffic stop on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Photo: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

Tonight, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, while patrolling the streets Officer Bang noticed a vehicle commit several traffic violations. During the enforcement stop Officer Bang believed the driver was displaying signs of impairment. Officer Ashley arrived to assist with the investigation. Ultimately the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

In addition to the poor decision to drive, the driver was also inappropriately transporting firearms and what is believed to be cocaine. Both firearms were loaded and under a seat in the vehicle.

We’re happy that no one was hurt in this potentially dangerous situation.

Armed robbery suspects arrested in San Ramon

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The Central County SWAT assisted in the arrest on Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: SRPD

SWAT, Walnut Creek PD assist

By San Ramon Police Department

On a recent evening, the Central County SWAT Team assisted Walnut Creek PD with the execution of a high-risk search warrant of known armed-robbery suspects.

The operation was successful, and a suspect was taken into custody for various felony offenses.

One of the suspects’ guns confiscated in the arrest on Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: SRPD

Additionally, firearms and stolen merchandise from various victims were recovered. More excellent work from San Ramon PD and our partner agencies.

 

Concord shopping center theft suspect arrested on freeway

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Theft suspect Jesse Leonardo Otero arrested on I-680 forcing CHP to block traffic on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Photos: Concord PD

Walnut Creek man arrested 86 times since 2017, 41 times in 2023

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2023, one of our swing shift patrol officers was conducting extra patrols in the area of the Veranda (2001 Diamond Blvd.) when she was notified of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect fled on foot from our officer onto Willow Pass Road and into the parking lot of the Sun Valley Mall. A CPD motor officer attempted to stop the subject, who fled onto I-680. The California Highway Patrol was contacted and momentarily blocked traffic to allow our Officers to enter the freeway and safely detain the male.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero of Walnut Creek, was arrested on the freeway. Mr. Ortero was transported to the Concord PD jail and later to the Martinez Detention Facility for theft and resisting/delaying a peace officer. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their assistance!

According to localcrimenews.com, Otero has been arrested 86 times since 2017 including 41 arrests in 2023 – sometimes twice in the same day – by multiple Contra Costa and Alameda County law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes including trespassing, petty theft, public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting of less than $950, receiving or concealing stolen property, resisting arrest, robbery, vandalism and giving false information to a police officer. His arrests include three times in 2017; 10 in 2018; twice in 2019; five in 2020; 12 in 2021; and 13 times in 2022.

An email was sent to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton asking how someone with Otero’s record hasn’t been sentenced to multiple years in jail or prison.

11/29/23 UPDATE: In response, Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo provided the following statement:

“44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero is currently on felony probation for commercial burglary [PC 460(b)]. He was convicted on June 13, 2022, of a felony and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and placed on two years of formal probation. On the same day, Otero was convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense [PC 459.5] after stealing a gaming controller from a GameStop store. In October 2021, Otero was prosecuted and convicted of two separate counts of misdemeanor vandalism [PC 594(a)]. He was sentenced to 28 days in county jail and a year of probation for the vandalism offenses.

Many of the violations Mr. Otero was cited for in Contra Costa County were low-level, misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing, public nuisance, petty theft, and possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia. Otero’s misdemeanor thefts, for example, include taking a soft drink and candy at a Target store, stealing $27 worth of cosmetics, or shoplifting $50 worth of razor blades.

Our office is working with law enforcement agencies to merge a number of seemingly minor cases for prosecution to seek justice, ensure accountability, and protect our communities. Misdemeanor complaints filed with the court will have multiple incidents that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Lafayette traffic stop leads to two arrests for drugs, warrants, drugs

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The suspects’ car caught on a home surveillance camera in front of the home and during the traffic stop that led to the confiscation of a handgun and bullets on Nov. 22, 2023. Photos: Lafayette PD

By Lafayette Police Department

On Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, around 12:53 AM, a Lafayette PD officer saw a vehicle in the area of Mt. Diablo Blvd. near the Highway 24 off-ramp that matched the description of a suspicious vehicle that had been parked in front of a resident’s mailbox a week ago. The officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was on federal probation for mail theft.

The female passenger had methamphetamine next to her seat and lied about her name when questioned. When her true identity was revealed, it was determined she had four outstanding warrants for her arrest.

The other male passenger was in possession of drug paraphernalia, cocaine, and an unregistered Glock pistol.

The male and female were transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. When the community is sleeping, our officers are out working!

 

Burglary suspects flee after crashing car into Pleasant Hill department store

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By Corporal Andrew Kuhn, Pleasant Hill Police Department

On November 23, 2023, at about 7:45 PM, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received a 911 call of a vehicle that collided into the entrance of Kohl’s, located at 2302 Monument Blvd. Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied vehicle and extensive damage to the east doors of the business. The business was closed at this time and no employees or customers were present.

During the preliminary investigation, officers discovered three subjects wearing masks entered the business and left with merchandise. The three subjects fled in a white sedan prior to police arrival.

This investigation remains active at this time. If you have any information that may assist investigators, you are encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.

During chase from SF to Martinez Concord man throws bombs at police

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Photo source: SFPOA

Started as assault on parishioner inside church

Arrested for attempted murder, multiple explosives charges, assault on an officer, more

Has a history of arrests dating to 2011; CHP assists

By San Francisco Police Department

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at approximately 5:52 pm, San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Filbert Street on a report of a person who had assaulted someone at the location and had reportedly brandished a knife.

According to a post on the SF Police Officers Association Facebook page, the assault occurred at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. According to an NBC Bay Area news report  police say it started when Garcia punched a parishioner inside the church during mass for refusing to give him money.

Officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival, witnesses directed officers to the suspect with what the SFPOA reports was an improvised explosive device. He had entered a vehicle and was fleeing the area. Officers initiated a pursuit. The suspect failed to yield to pursuing officers.  During the pursuit, the suspect threw two improvised explosive devices out of the car window at pursuing officers. In a later press conference, Assistant Police Chief David Lazar said officers could feel the impact of the explosions during the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto the freeway, and officers from the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit. The pursuit came to an end in Martinez, CA where officers from the CHP took the suspect into custody.

The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Concord resident Daniel Garcia. Garcia was booked at San Francisco County Jail on the following charges:

664/211 PC(attempted robbery), 245(a)(1) PC (aggravated assault), three counts of  664/187 PC (attempted murder), three counts of 69 PC (assault on an officer), 2800.2 CVC (reckless evasion), three counts of 12305 H&S unlawful possession of explosive device, three counts of 18715(a) PC (possession of explosive device in public), three counts of 18725 PC (transporting explosive devices), two counts of 18740 PC (setting off explosive with the intent to harm), two counts of 18745 PC (igniting explosive device with the intent to commit murder), 148(a)(1) PC (resisting/delaying arrest), and 21453(a) CVC (disobey red light).

While an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department Special Investigations Division-Arson Unit are handling this investigation. Also, according to the NBC Bay Area report no one was injured and that police and a bomb squad spent most of the day Monday searching Garcia’s Concord home.

NBC Bay Area reported he was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text  a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Contra Costa DA issues statement on Oakley shooting death on Oct. 21st

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office was briefed today by Oakley Detectives on investigative developments regarding the October 21st house party shooting. (See related articles here, here and here)

At this time, the incident remains an active homicide investigation as Oakley Police continue to gather and evaluate all pertinent evidence.

Once Oakley Police complete their investigation, they will likely present the District Attorney’s Office with a request for prosecution. Upon submission of the police reports and the potential charges, the DA’s Office will make a filing decision.

Due to the sensitive and active nature of this investigation, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office will not be making any additional statements at this time.

Anyone with information about this shooting should contact the Oakley Police Department.

Antioch suspect in Oakley homicide and multiple teen victim shooting released Friday

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By Danielle Navarro, Oakley Assistant City Manager

Oakley, CA – 4:49 PM – The homicide of a 16-year-old male, and the shooting of three other teenagers that occurred on October 21st in the 400 block of Shannon Way has been the top priority of the Oakley Police Department since it occurred. The investigators of the Oakley Police Department have worked tirelessly and continuously on this case over the past week. The Department has processed a large amount of electronic and digital evidence and spoken to many people in relation to the investigation. (See related articles here and here)

On October 25, 2023, the Oakley Police Department arrested Jason Walizada (18, Antioch) in connection with these heinous crimes. Walizada was booked into the Main Detention Facility in Martinez for a warrant, which was obtained by Oakley PD.

This case continues to be an ongoing and very active investigation. With this being the situation, we are unable to speak about the details of the case or what we have uncovered so far. Walizada will be released from custody later today pending further developments in our investigation. This latest development is always considered to be a possibility in major cases like ours where there are large amounts of evidence to process and sort through.

“This case represents the largest, most violent and deadly mass-shooting involving youth in the history of Oakley,” said Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard. “We are not done in our pursuit of justice in this killing and it is our end goal to remove all responsible parties from free society and incarcerate them. I previously stated our work is not done – we will not rest until we have successfully achieved the end goal in this case.

As always, if there are any further developments or updates in this case, I will be sure to share them.”

 

National Prescription Drug TAKE BACK Day Saturday, Oct. 28

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Source: CCC Sheriff’s Office

By Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff’

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, or unused prescription drugs.

Needles and sharps cannot be accepted; only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original containers will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites:

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

Muir Station – 1980 Muir Road, Martinez

Bay Station – 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond

Valley Station – 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo

Delta Station – 14830 Highway 4, Discovery Bay

Danville Police Department – 510 La Gonda Way, Danville

Lafayette Police Department – 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

Orinda Police Department – 22 Orinda Way, Orinda

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, locations, or the Take Back event, visit: www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Antioch teen arrested for homicide, multiple victim shooting in Oakley

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U.S. Marshals assist in apprehension

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

Oakley, CA – The senseless homicide of a 16-year-old male, and the shooting of three other teenagers that occurred on Saturday, October 21st in the 400 block of Shannon Way has been the top priority of the Oakley Police Department since it occurred. (See related article)

Today, October 25, 2023, at 4:30 PM the Oakley Police Department, in partnership with the United States Marshals Service, arrested Jason Walizada (18, Antioch) in connection with these heinous crimes. The arrest occurred in the 2600 block of Orange Way, Antioch. Walizada was booked into the Main Detention Facility in Martinez with a $3,500,000 bail (homicide warrant).

Over the past few days all investigators of the Oakley Police Department have spoken to dozens of potential witnesses, and they have processed a large amount of electronic/digital evidence. The arrest of Walizada does not represent the sole focus of our investigation because we will continue to investigate every lead in this case.

“This case has absolutely shattered the lives of family, friends and loved ones of the victims in this case, especially the deceased child. I am hoping we will see full measures of accountability achieved in this case.

Our work is not done, but I appreciate my investigators for all of the diligent work they have put in so far to identify a responsible in this case and to get him into custody. I appreciate all of the support from all of the allied agencies that assisted us during this investigation, particularly the United States Marshals Service.

As I previously said this youth violence does not belong anywhere- ever!

If there are any further developments or updates in this case I will be sure to provide updates.