Contra Costa Herald

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

Brentwood Police purchase new armored vehicle

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Brentwood PD’s new ERV was used Saturday night, Dec 16, 2023, by SWAT to assist Antioch Police in serving a search warrant on a murder suspect. Photo courtesy of Art Ray, Bay News Video

Enhancing community safety with our brand new Emergency Rescue Vehicle.

By Brentwood Police Department

Our recent acquisition of the Lenco Emergency Rescue Vehicle (ERV) marks a significant step forward in enhancing community safety and effective crisis management. After extensive efforts and planning, we’ve successfully integrated the ERV into our suite of resources.

At the core of our crisis management philosophy lies the commitment to peaceful resolutions, and this vehicle plays a vital role in providing our agency with the capability to foster dialogue and negotiation. Moreover, its advanced medical features, including secure litters, a fully equipped medical workstation, and onboard oxygen, ensure rapid and critical medical assistance in crucial moments.

See video of Brentwood PD’s new ERV.

Brentwood, San Ramon Police participating in national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign

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Through New Year’s Day

By Brentwood Police Department

The holiday season can be a dangerous time for people on the roads. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Brentwood PD wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From December 13th through New Year’s Day, Brentwood PD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

Brentwood PD encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a “go safely” game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

San Ramon Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement throughout this Holiday Season.

 

 

Hercules traffic stop leads to arrest for unregistered firearm

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Loaded unregistered gun discovered and confiscated on Dec. 11, 2023. Photos: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

Can you spot the firearm? Swipe to see if you would have located it… good eye, Officer.

On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at approximately 1:53 AM an officer conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Malibu on Willow Ave at Hawthorne Drive. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed the barrel of a silver and black firearm protruding from underneath a jacket on the front passenger seat.

The driver was detained, and a search of the vehicle was conducted. The search revealed a loaded, silver and black Springfield XD-M 40 pistol. The firearm was unregistered. The driver was arrested for firearm violations and booked in jail.

 

Stolen vehicle stop leads to 600 lbs. of stolen AT&T copper wire in San Pablo

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Stolen wire and car recovered on Dec. 14, 2023. Photos: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

This is how you get on Santa’s naughty list!!!

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, officers were patrolling our city and located a stolen vehicle driving around. They were able to stop the vehicle and contacted three subjects inside. All three subjects were detained and while searching the vehicle, officers located approximately 600 lbs. of copper wire.

An AT&T representative responded and identified it as stolen AT&T wire and stated that it was worth approx. $10,000.00 dollars. These suspects earned themselves a spot on Santa’s naughty list and were booked into county jail. The copper wire was returned to AT&T and the vehicle to its owner.

 

Orinda Police, Contra Costa Sheriff 2023 “Stuff A Cruiser” Toy Drive through Dec. 18

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The Orinda Police Department, in partnership with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a toy drive for new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Toys can be dropped off at the Orinda Police Department at 22 Orinda Way. Please drop off your donations by Monday, December 18, 2023. Happy holidays!

Walnut Creek suspicious death in November now investigated as homicide

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By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

On November 27th, 2023, at approximately 3:09 PM, Walnut Creek Police patrol officers were dispatched to a suspicious death in the 1900 block of Camino Verde Circle. Walnut Creek Police Detectives responded to the scene and investigated the case as a suspicious death. Detectives have officially classified this case as a homicide and are investigating it as such.

At this time, we are not revealing the identity of the victim. However, the next of kin has been notified. WCPD Detectives are following up on all leads at this time.

If anyone has any information about this case, please contact Detective Nick Olson at olson@walnutcreekpd.com or call the anonymous tip line (925) 943-5865. Case #: 23-37597

Concord PD asks public’s help to ID suspect in sexual assault

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Video surveillance photo of suspect in Concord sexual assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Source: Concord PD

Special Victims Unit needs your help

By Concord Police Department

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 10:17 AM, the male in the attached photograph sexually assaulted a female in the pedestrian tunnel under Hwy 242 connecting Franquette Avenue and Market Street. The male may frequent the area around Home Depot (2090 Meridian Park Blvd., Concord).

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this male may contact Detective David Boucher with CPD’s Special Victims Unit at 925-603-5876. CPD Case #23-11048. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

Brentwood traffic stop leads to DUI, gun arrest of Antioch woman, Oakland man

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Her third DUI arrest this year; cited and released

By Brentwood Police Department

Alcohol and stolen gun confiscated during traffic stop on Dec. 10, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD

Last weekend, on December 10, 2023, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Heidorn Ranch and Kohl’s Drive when he pulled a car over for not having a front license plate and suspended registration. When he contacted the driver, identified as 20-year-old Arrieanna Renel Snell, Jr. of Antioch, he determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer also noticed an open bottle of tequila behind the passenger’s seat.

Upon contacting the passenger, identified as 23-year-old Jai Royale Williams of Oakland, the officer located a stolen gun in the car.

Snell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and Williams was placed under arrest for being in possession of the stolen gun. Both were transported to the County Jail for booking.

According to vinelink.com, Snell was cited and released and Williams is out of custody with no charges filed.  According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested for driving with a license suspended for drunk driving. Earlier this year, Snell was arrested twice for assault upon a peace officer, DUI alcohol/drugs and for DUI alcohol with blood alcohol content above .08 percent.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Retired Pittsburg cop in Pleasant Hill standoff charged with attempted murder, injuring wife

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

Retired Pittsburg Police officer Chunliam Nai Saechao. Source: Pittsburg PD

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Pleasant Hill resident with nine felony counts for attempted murder of peace officers, assault with a firearm, and injuring a spouse following the standoff last Friday and Saturday. (See related articles here and here)

40-year-old Chunliam Nai Saechao is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility.

He will be arraigned on charges stemming from a December 8th incident whereby Mr. Saechao – a retired Pittsburg Police officer who may have suffered a mental health episode – barricaded himself in his home for almost three days after he shot at his wife while she was trying to gain entrance to their residence.

During the protracted standoff with police, Mr. Saechao shot at officers who were in the process of evacuating residents from nearby homes. Bullets also struck a police vehicle during the evacuation, which had two officers inside. The officers inside the vehicle did not sustain any injuries.

The complaint filed with the court today lists two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer [PC 187(a)], one count of injuring a spouse [PC 273.5(a)], and six counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer or firefighter [PC 245(d)(1)]. The charges also come with enhancements for discharging or using a firearm in the offenses.

Following standoff Pleasant Hill man suspected of shooting wife arrested

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By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Friday, December 8, 2023 at approximately 11:45 PM, the Central County SWAT team, and crisis negotiators responded to the 200 block of Cleopatra Drive. The husband from the previous incident, Chunliam Nai Saechao (40 years old), was determined to be a danger to the public and a felony warrant was obtained for his arrest. During the day, information was gathered from social media and other investigative means, which led to this decision.

A shelter in place was issued for the Sherman Oaks neighborhood.

Saturday morning at around 7:52 am Chunliam Saechao exited his residence and surrendered to the FBI SWAT Team without further incident. The FBI SWAT team was summoned early this morning to relieve Central County SWAT who intended to return to the scene at 2:00 pm, if necessary. Mr. Saechao will be booked on several felonies to include assault with a deadly weapon and attempted homicide on a police officer.

According to a CBS News Bay Area report, Saechao communicated with police through social media. “During the standoff, he posted videos to social media wearing a bulletproof vest and holding an assault rifle. One message posted online said, ‘Anyone try to break into my home is going to be killed and I will have no remorse because I did a good thing to rid evil.’”

We acknowledge this prolonged and serious event caused great disruption and stoked fear within the Sherman Acres neighborhood and the surrounding community. De-escalation tactics, including disengagement, are routinely utilized in hope for peaceful resolutions, such as this one. Even after disengaging with the suspect during the early morning hours of December 8, the community’s safety and security was consistently monitored and constantly assessed. Police officers remained ready in the area, and we continued to monitor Mr. Saechao’s social media activity. We are relieved that the tactics employed led to a peaceful resolution, avoiding any bodily injuries or fatalities to members of law enforcement or the surrounding community.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Saechao is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.