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Police seek suspects in smash and grab theft at Concord jewelry store

April 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Lt. Robert Garcia, Concord Police Department

BURGLARY/GRAND THEFT – Sunvalley Shopping Center

Concord Police Case Number 23-03286

On March 31, 2023, at approximately 7:06pm, Concord Police Dispatch received a report of three masked subjects who entered St. Andrew Jewelers in the Sunvalley Shopping Center and smashed several cases with hammers. The employees of the store reported that the suspects made off with miscellaneous jewelry items. Officers responded to the scene however, the suspects had already left in a waiting vehicle. The actual dollar value loss is still being determined. There were no reported injuries during the incident.

The suspects were described as three African-American males in dark clothing and wearing ski masks, armed with hammers.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is being released at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, you can contact our anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

 

Filed Under: Central County, Concord, News, Police

UPS driver victim of strong-arm robbery at Brentwood sports store

April 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Car believed used in Brentwood strong-arm robbery on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD

Firearms stolen

By Brentwood Police Department

On Thursday March 30, 2023 around 9:58 a.m., officers responded to Sportsman’s Warehouse to investigate a strong-arm robbery that just occurred to the rear of the business. Upon officers’ arrival, it was determined a UPS driver was robbed while unloading merchandise to be delivered to the store. Two male suspects (unknown race) approached the victim. One suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants and one wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants. Both suspects were wearing masks and gloves. We believe there could have been a third suspect inside of the vehicle, but do not have a description.

There were no weapons displayed during the robbery and no injuries to the victim. Our Detectives have since confirmed several firearms were stolen during this incident.

The vehicle used in the robbery is believed to be a gold Toyota Camry (pictured). At the time of the robbery, the vehicle did not have a license plate. The vehicle is missing the rear bumper and has paint oxidation to the trunk and roof of the vehicle. If you have any information about the suspects or the pictured vehicle, please contact Detective Agostinho at 925-809-7870, or Dispatch at 925-809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Second suspect arrested in June 2022 Walnut Creek Macy’s smash-and-grab case

April 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspect Gerald Dial of Vallejo was arrested on March 23, 2023 in the June 2022 smash and grab theft at Macy’s in Walnut Creek. WCPC video screenshot

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

A 19-year-old Vallejo man is in custody following his arrest in connection with the June 18 robbery at the Macy’s in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza. Walnut Creek Police identified Jammoni Simon as one of the suspects in the robbery. Patrol and Investigations worked together to identify the suspect and a warrant was subsequently authored for his arrest. Simon was taken into custody by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office on July 5, 2022. During his arrest, Simon was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm.

Walnut Creek Police Chief Jamie Knox said the arrest is a signal to others involved in that crime and to the public. “Walnut Creek Police Department puts the public safety of those who live, work, or visit here at the highest priority,” Knox said. “We will continue to actively pursue this case; Walnut Creek is not an open target for criminals.”

The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office on July 8th and Simon remains in custody on the following charges:

PC 211, Robbery

PC 459, Burglary

PC 25850(a)(c)(6), Possession of a Loaded Firearm

Detectives continued to develop leads and determined Gerald Dial, a 20-year-old male from Vallejo, was involved and presented this case for review to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. On February 28th, 2023, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following felony charges against Dial:

PC 211 Robbery

PC 459 Burglary

PC 487 Grand Theft

On March 23rd, 2023, WCPD Detectives located and arrested Dial on a warrant at the San Francisco Airport. Dial was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Dial is no longer in custody, as he posted bail.

Walnut Creek Police would like to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating and apprehending Simon.

The Department is still actively conducting this investigation. If you have any information related to this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police at 925-943-5844 or call our anonymous tip line at 925- 843-5865.

Filed Under: Central County, Crime, District Attorney, News, Police

Organized retail thieves arrested in Concord

April 7, 2023 By Publisher 2 Comments

Several thousand dollars of stolen merchandise was recovered from the retail thieves on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Photo: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, a newly installed Flock camera alerted a CPD Investigator to a felony vehicle in the City of Concord. The vehicle was linked to a CPD investigation for organized retail theft of thousands of dollars in merchandise from local stores.

CPD Officers were able to locate and arrest both of the suspects responsible for a multitude of crimes committed all over the Bay Area. Organized retail theft is a problem which results in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars each year from our local businesses and this case is just one example of technology assisting us in the apprehension of criminals.

Thank you to our friends at Park N Shop for supporting new resources CPD is employing to keep our community safer!

 

Filed Under: Central County, Concord, Crime, News, Police

Pittsburg Detectives track down, arrest murder suspect in Modesto

April 6, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Murder suspect Gregory Rossignon arrested on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Photos: Pittsburg PD

Subject of hours-long standoff in Antioch, last week in which pregnant girlfriend was arrested

Jessica Russo. Photo: Pittsburg PD

By Pittsburg Police Department

On March 22, shortly after 9:00 PM, officers responded to a convenience store on the 1000 block of Power Avenue.  There, 44-year-old Abdul Raouf, a store clerk, was found suffering from gunshot wounds and unfortunately did not survive.  Through the investigation, it was learned that while in the store, Jessica Russo had a disagreement with another store clerk.  Shortly after the disagreement, Gregory Rossignon entered the store and shot Abdul for no apparent reason.  Both Rossignon and Russo fled after the shooting.

As the investigation progressed and detectives searched for the suspects, on March 29, Jessica Russo. was located and arrested during the service of a search warrant at a residence in Antioch. According to Rossignon’s father, Russo is the son’s girlfriend and pregnant with the son’s child. (See related article)

Tuesday night, April 4, detectives received information that Gregory Rossignon had fled to Modesto and was hiding in an apartment.  Working with the Modesto Police Department and their Tactical Team, a search warrant was served shortly after 7:00 AM Wednesday.  During the service of the warrant, it was determined that Rossignon was in the apartment but refused to come outside.  After several hours of negotiating with the Modesto Police Departments Crisis Response Unit, Rossignon peacefully surrendered.  Rossignon was brought back to Pittsburg and will be booked into Contra Costa County jail for murder.

We would again like to thank community members in Pittsburg, Antioch, and now Modesto for their cooperation and patience while pursuing these suspects.  We would also like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service, the Modesto Police Department and all their staff for the dedication and resources that led to Rossignon’s arrest.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Antioch Police seek video around time of March 14 road rage shooting near Brentwood

April 1, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

An 18-year-old female was shot during a road rage incident in Antioch Tuesday night, March 13, 2023. ContraCosta.news video screenshot used with permission.

By PIO Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Community Engagement Unit

Honda Accord driven by victim of road rage shooting. Photo by Mike Burkholder, ContraCosta.news used with permission.

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at approximately 7:51 pm, a woman was shot on Lone Tree Way at the intersection of Highway 4 near Brentwood. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive. Officers learned this was a road rage incident between two unrelated vehicles. One of the occupants of a vehicle involved in the road rage shot at the other vehicle. In doing so, they shot an unrelated occupant of a vehicle nearby. (See related article)

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a person and vehicle of interest in this case. We are asking anyone who drove on Lone Tree Way or was visiting the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center on March 14, 2023, from 7:40 pm to 7:55 pm to check your dashboard cameras.

We ask you to preserve the video and contact Detective Cox at (925) 481-8147 or jcox@antiochca.gov. It is important to note, we are not only looking for video depicting the crime- but any video during that time frame. Also, if you work for a delivery company or saw a delivery vehicle in the area from 7:40 pm to 7:55 pm, please contact Detective Cox with which company.

We want to thank the community for their assistance during the course of this investigation.

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

More Antioch Police officers placed on leave, under investigation for alleged offensive texts

March 30, 2023 By Publisher 1 Comment

Mayor Thorpe to hold news conference Thursday morning; two other council members unaware of matter

By Allen D. Payton

According to an East Bay Times report, eight more Antioch Police officers have been placed on leave and are under investigation for sending each other racist and homophobic texts in violation of department policies. Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe has called a press conference for Thursday morning at 11 a.m. to speak on the matter.

The officers on leave are in addition to eight other officers also on leave while under investigation by the FBI and Contra Costa DA’s office. (See related article)

Questions were emailed to Thorpe, Acting City Manager Forrest Ebbs, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Police Chief Steve Ford and the police department’s spokespeople, Lt. Michael Mellone and PIO Ashley Crandell asking to verify the information in the article and for the time and location of the press conference.

Ebbs responded, “The City of Antioch is investigating allegations revealed by information received against a number of Antioch Police Officers.  The City has placed the officers on administrative leave pending the investigation of allegations.  Given that this is a confidential personnel matter, no further information can be disclosed at this time.”

Thorpe confirmed the time of the press conference, said it will be held at City Hall and that the information reported in the article didn’t come from him.

Councilmembers Mike Barbanica and Lori Ogorchock said they weren’t aware of the matter before being informed by this reporter. “First I’ve heard or seen” of it, Ogorchock responded.

“I sure did not,” Barbanica responded when asked if he had heard about the matter. He then called Ebbs. Barbanica said Ebbs told him he had briefed Thorpe on the matter, just not the rest of the council.

“I told the acting city manager, we are a General Law City not a Charter City and if one council member was made aware, the entire council should have been made aware. For the mayor to be briefed and not the rest of the city council, this is unacceptable,” said Barbanica. “I asked him why I wasn’t made aware of this and why wasn’t the rest of the council made aware, and why did I have to learn of this from the media.”

The District 2 councilman said Ebbs told him Thursday morning, “in a very short period of time he was going to get communication out to the rest of the city council.” That was expected to be received by 10 a.m. prior to the press conference. “I’m waiting for the details to come out before making any additional comment,” Barbanica added. But he said he had an appointment in San Francisco at the time and couldn’t attend the press conference. “Had I been briefed about it, yesterday, I could have rearranged my schedule.”

See press conference video.

 

Filed Under: East County, News, Police

One of two homicide suspects in death of Pittsburg convenience store clerk arrested in Antioch

March 30, 2023 By Publisher 2 Comments

Jessica Russo was arrested by Pittsburg Police in Antioch on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Photos of scene by Allen D. Payton. Gregory Rossignon is still wanted for the March 22 murder.

Following hours-long stand-off outside home male suspect still wanted; his father says female suspect pregnant with male suspect’s child

By Allen D. Payton

Shortly after 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Pittsburg Police Department’s Special Response Unit served a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of D Street in the city of Antioch for two suspects wanted for murder of a Pittsburg convenience store clerk on March 22. During the service of the warrant, Jessica Russo was located and arrested. She was booked and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Pittsburg Police officers near the house on D and W. Madill Streets in Antioch. Members of the Pittsburg Special Response Unit with the department’s Bearcat armored vehicle.

After a methodical and exhaustive search of the residence was conducted, Gregory Rossignon remains outstanding and still wanted for murder. During the search officers approached the house and several times, broke windows, dropped a phone with a phone line into the house, called out on the loudspeaker for Rossignon to pick up the phone and dial a number to speak to police. The officers flew drones inside and outside and deployed four rounds of a chemical agent believed to be tear gas inside the home. After the second round of gas another woman emerged from the residence about 5:53 p.m. and was detained, placed in handcuffs and escorted from the scene.

Pittsburg officers at front door breaking out windows, tear gas smoke emerged from the house’s attic, and a second woman was detained.

About 7:35 p.m., Rossignon’s father, who identified himself as Gregory, Sr., arrived on the scene and asked to speak to his son “so everyone comes out of this alive”. He referred to Russo as his daughter. When shown a photo of Russo and asked if she was who he was referring to, Rossignon, Sr. said, “yes, I call her my daughter. She’s pregnant with my son’s child…my grandchild.” He told police, “I’ll strip down if you need me to and walk in there to talk to my son.” Later, a woman drove up to the scene and told officers she was the suspect’s mother. Officers took both parents to an area on Lawton Street where they waited but did not speak to their son.

A drone was sent into the house through windows police had broken out. Gregory Rossignon, Sr., the suspect’s father, arrived on the scene offering to speak to his son.

At about 9:15 p.m., an officer said he expected to wrap things up shortly, but that they had not had any contact with the suspect nor could confirm that anyone was still in the house.

The Pittsburg Police would like to thank the Antioch residents who live in this area for their patience during the service of the warrant. Several residents were escorted by police to their homes on D Street. But one mother and daughter who live next door to the house had to find somewhere else to stay for the night. Although offered to stay at a Pittsburg motel by one of the officers, they chose to stay with friends. The woman said she expected to return to her home Thursday morning.

The Pittsburg Police Department is asking anyone with information related to Gregory Rossingnon’s whereabouts to contact the local police. We are also asking anyone with information contact Detective Jonathan Elmore at 925-252-4875 or the Pittsburg Police Department Tip Line at 925-252-4040.

See more photos and video at facebook.com/antiochheraldca.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

Public’s help needed in legal action against Christopher George Miller

March 30, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Arrested for sex crimes against minors in Contra Costa

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

As the seven-count felony case against Christopher George Miller continues in Superior Court in Martinez, the investigative team who arrested him in a sting operation for arranging to engage in sex acts with a minor are asking the public for help.

The investigation into Miller started in 2022 when he was employed at Deer Valley High School in Antioch as a campus supervisor. A parent of a student reported to school officials that Miller was sending inappropriate texts to the student regarding marijuana use at the school, as well as sexually suggestive messages. (See related article)

The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) adopted the case about three weeks ago to see if Miller (who was then a former employee at the high school) would sell marijuana and arrange to meet for sex. Posing as a 13-year-old girl on a chat app Miller used, a Detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office started communicating with him. At one point while exchanging texts, Miller offered to sell the fictitious teen marijuana — and later the chats became more sexual in nature.

Miller arranged to meet the teen for sex at a park in Martinez on March 16th, 2023. Participating ICAC members from the Sheriff’s Office, Concord Police, Danville Police, Pittsburg Police, and the District Attorney’s Office met him at the park and arrested Miller on marijuana possession with the intent to sell to a minor and other charges related to contacting and arranging to engage in lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and arraigned on a total of seven felony charges on March 21st. His preliminary hearing is set for April 3rd at 8:30 am in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to the charging document filed on March 20 by the CCDA’s Office, Miller was charged with seven felonies, including P0288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or about June 14, 2022; PC288.4(b), Meeting Minor for Lewd Purposes between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 14, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 15, 2023; PC 664/PC288(a), Attempted Lewd Act Upon A Child on or about March 16, 2023; PC 664/HS11360(a), Attempted Sale/Offer To Sell/Transportation Of Marijuana on or about March 16, 2023.

ICAC Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe notes that Miller may have been in contact with other victims. He’s asking the public to email him at the District Attorney’s Office if they have information related to Miller’s case. He can be reached at: DHolcombe@contracostada.org.

Case No. 01-23-00820 | The People of the State of California v. Miller, Christopher George

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Concord, Crime, District Attorney, Education, News, Police, Sheriff, Youth

Search underway for two suspects in shooting death of convenience store clerk in Pittsburg

March 27, 2023 By Publisher 2 Comments

Suspects Gregory Rossignon and Jessica Russo. Photos: Pittsburg PD

Third suspect arrested; GoFundMe page set up for 44-year-old father of five victim

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, shortly after 9:00 PM, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to a residence on the 100 block of Bruno Avenue after receiving reports of gunshots heard. While on scene and attempting to determine what had occurred, officers heard gunshots coming from the 1000 block of Power Avenue. Shortly after, a call was received that a clerk had been shot at a convenience store on Power Avenue. At 9:41 PM, officers responded to the 1000 block of Power Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and found a male subject had been shot. Officers provided medical aid, but unfortunately the victim succumbed to his injuries on scene.

Through the investigation, it was learned that 37-year-old Gregory Rossignon and 34-year-old Jessica Russo, both from Pittsburg, were involved in an altercation on Bruno Avenue. During this time, several shots from a handgun were fired into the air. No one was injured as a result, and both immediately fled the area. As officers investigated this incident, additional officers responded to the convenience store.

Store clerk Abdul Raouf and his children. Source: GoFundMe

There, officers found and began life-saving efforts on the clerk who had been shot. Unfortunately, the clerk, 44-year-old Abdul Raouf, did not survive these injuries. During the investigation at the convenience store, it was determined that Gregory Rossignon and Jessica Russo were involved in this fatal incident after a confrontation with the store employees. Following the shooting, both fled from the store. Additionally, another man was identified as having been involved in this incident and later arrested at a residence in Pittsburg. This man was identified as 43-year-old Alan Agloro from Pittsburg.

Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for Gregory Rossignon and Jessica Russo and are asking anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the local police.

This is still an active investigation, and we ask anyone with information about these two incidents to contact Detective Elmore at 925-252-4875 or the Pittsburg Police Department Tip Line at 925-252-4040. This is Pittsburg’s first homicide for the year 2023.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Raouf’s wife and five children.

 

Filed Under: Crime, East County, News, Police

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