Contra Costa Herald

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

Man arrested in Pittsburg with “ghost gun” Wed. night, arrested again Thurs. night with “ghost gun” parts

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Ghost gun parts and other items confiscated from the suspect during his second arrest in two nights on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Photo: Pittsburg PD

K-9 officer assists in the arrest detecting the odor of ammunition, explosives; police, DA asked why suspect was released

2/14/22 UPDATE: DA claims Pittsburg PD has offered no report of arrest night before, won’t respond to “multiple inquiries”

By Pittsburg Police Department

Last night, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, one of our proactive graveyard officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop for CVC (vehicle code) violations on Railroad Avenue. Upon contacting the driver, he was recognized as being previously arrested the night before for being in possession of a “ghost gun”.

K9 Kyra responded to the traffic stop to assist, which resulted in her alerting on the trunk of the vehicle (smelling/locating/detecting the odor of ammunition/explosives). A search of the vehicle was ultimately conducted, which resulted in officers locating 1 pound of marijuana, as well a large capacity magazine and ammunition. The driver was placed under arrest for the on-view charges.

However, officers weren’t done just yet. A search warrant was later authorized and served at the arrestee’s residence by multiple swing shift and graveyard officers. Upon searching the residence, multiple firearm manufacturing kits, high-capacity magazines, heroin, an assault rifle, and miscellaneous “ghost gun” parts were found. The driver had several additional felony charges added to his booking sheet and was transported to county jail.

Our officers are notorious for going the extra mile to making our city a safer place to be, along with our 4-legged furry partners.

A call was made to Pittsburg PD Investigations and an email was sent Saturday to Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton asking why the man was back out on the street to commit more crimes on Thursday following his arrest the night before.

2/14/22 UPDATE: DA’s Office Responds, Claims Can’t Get Response from Pittsburg PD

In response on Monday, Feb. 14, Simon O’Connell, Contra Costa County Chief Assistant District Attorney wrote in an email, “The suspect was booked in custody just after midnight Thursday 2/10 following a probable cause arrest by the Pittsburg Police Department. Today, Monday 2/14 the Pittsburg Police Department presented that arrest to the District Attorney’s Office for filing review and prosecution.

O’Connell further offered that, “generally speaking with regard to pre-filing custody or release, the District Attorney is not party to the decision by an officer book or release a suspect who is arrested on probable cause.  The decision to arrest or cite release is that of the arresting agency. If a judge approves the probable cause, the arresting agency will then present the case for any in custody filing. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for filing criminal charges when submitted for prosecutorial review.  Once charges are filed, the arraignment court judge will review the bail set at filing along with Probation Department’s recommendation regarding continued custody.”

As of Tuesday, Feb. 15 Pittsburg PD has not yet responded to the call from the Herald about the arrest the night before and why the suspect was released.

Please check back for any additional updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pittsburg Police arrest Antioch man, Sacramento woman in September 2021 homicide of two women

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Another Antioch man is wanted; victims were Pittsburg and San Leandro residents

By Pittsburg Police Department

Early Sunday morning, September 19, 2021, shortly before 6:30 A.M., Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the 7-11 store at 4600 Century Boulevard regarding a shooting. As officers arrived, they located a car parked in front of the business with two women inside. Both women were suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Unfortunately, 23-year-old San Leandro resident Courtnee Allen and 21-year-old Pittsburg resident Angelique Abercrombie died due to their injuries.

Initially, there was limited information for detectives to work with or identify the responsible in this case. Over the past few months, members of the Investigations Division, including the Pittsburg Police Department VICE Team, worked diligently to identify several subjects involved. After completing numerous interviews and working through a vast amount of evidence, detectives identified 28-year-old Lonnie Stewart of Antioch, 22-year-old Destiny Boyd of Sacramento, and 20-year-old Jordan Pierre Crear of Antioch as being involved in the incident. Crear was identified as the subject who shot and killed Courtney and Angelique. Detectives are continuing to determine the motive for the shooting.

Last week detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney for review. The DA charged all three subjects for Murder with enhancements. Boyd was arrested late last week in Elk Grove and is currently in custody on $3,000,000 bail. Wednesday, Crear was located and arrested at his home in Antioch and remains in custody with a $7,000,000 bail. A $3,000,000 warrant is issued for Stewart, and detectives are working to locate him.

The Pittsburg Police Department would like to thank our citizens and business community for their support during this investigation.

Oakley woman missing under suspicious circumstances since Thursday

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Alexis Gabe – Missing fliers have been posted throughout East County. Source: Oakley PD

Last seen in Antioch, fliers posted throughout community

By Oakley Police Department

The Oakley Police Department received a call of a missing person, under suspicious circumstances, on January 27, 2022. The missing person is identified as Alexis Gabe, 24, of Oakley. She was last seen on Benttree Way in Antioch.

Gabe is described as an Asian female, 5’7”, 170 pounds and last known to be wearing a white tank top, silver/black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and green/white shoes.

Oakley Police patrol personnel and detectives began immediate efforts to locate Gabe. The Oakley Police Department has been in contact with Gabe’s family and have spoken to key people who were last known to be with her. The efforts to locate Gabe are continuing as detectives analyze evidence and patrol personnel continue to field tips and conduct physical searches for Gabe.

Posters of Gabe have been posted throughout East County over the past two days.

Please report any credible sightings of Gabe, or any information that will lead to her discovery by calling the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man arrested for Brentwood bank robbery

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Brandon Elder arrest on Jan. 26, 2022. Photo: Brentwood PD

Bail set at $150,000

By Brentwood Police Department

1/27/22 UPDATE: The The suspect in the bank robbery that occurred at Tri Counties Bank in Brentwood on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m.has been identified as Brandon Elder, 26-year-old Antioch resident.

Following the preliminary investigation, Elder was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for robbery, felony reckless evading, and several outstanding arrest warrants. In addition to the arrest warrants, Elder remains in-custody with bail set in the amount of $150,000.

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Brentwood officers responded to a reported robbery at the Tri Counties Bank located at 2400 Sand Creek Road. The suspect, described as a white male, in his 20’s early 30’s, wearing all dark clothing and a dark facemask, gave the bank teller a demand note before leaving in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money. No weapon was seen during the robbery and nobody was injured.

A Brentwood officer in the immediate area located and pursued the suspect vehicle westbound on Highway 4 at Lone Tree Way. The vehicle pursuit continued into Antioch where the suspect abandoned the vehicle in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way without injuring others. The suspect fled on foot, but after an extensive search was taken into custody.

This investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time. Special thanks to Antioch PD staff for their assistance.

There is no threat to public safety.

Anyone with additional information related to this robbery investigation who has not already been interviewed is asked to contact Detective Agostinho at 925-809-7870. Callers may remain anonymous.

 

COVID-19 boosters for the badge mandated in Contra Costa starting Jan. 10

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Or weekly negative test in spite of mild omicron variant symptoms and CDC discontinuing PCR tests as of Friday; includes police, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance drivers, and workers in hospitals, jails, nursing or congregate care facilities, and homeless shelters.

By Allen Payton

On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, Contra Costa County Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano issued another order mandating county first responders and workers in homeless shelters to verify they have received a booster dose of vaccine or a weekly negative COVID test.

Contra Costa Health Services claims it’s being done, “to better protect the county’s health system from becoming overwhelmed by the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19.”

This requirement applies within the county to law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who work in or may respond to emergency calls at high-risk facilities such as hospitals, jails, nursing or congregate care facilities, as well as all workers in homeless shelters. It also applies to non-emergency ambulance workers who provide medical transport for such facilities.

The order, which takes effect on January 10, requires unboosted workers to test weekly with either a PCR or antigen test for COVID-19.

Yet, the CDC issued a Lab Alert on their website on July 21, 2021, that “After December 31, 2021, CDC will withdraw the request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, the assay first introduced in February 2020 for detection of SARS-CoV-2 only.”

In addition, the FDA posted on their website the CDC’s Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, dated that same day, which reported the tests do not necessarily work. It reads, “Positive results are indicative of active infection with SARS-CoV-2 but do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definite cause of disease. Laboratories within the United States and its territories are required to report all results to the appropriate public health authorities. Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions. Negative results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information.”

CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel – Instructions for Use (fda.gov)

“The omicron variant is much more infectious than previous strains of COVID-19,” said Farnitano. “Boosting is necessary for the best protection from omicron infection and transmission. Our hospitals are at risk of being overwhelmed if a large number of our must vulnerable residents get sick. Our goal is to ramp up the protection around places where there is an elevated risk of exposure, and people who are at high risk of serious illness if they become infected.”

However, as previously reported, according to reports from throughout the U.S. and internationally, symptoms have been described as mild, and “extremely mild” by Dr. Angelique Coetzee, the South African doctor who first discovered and announced the new strain.

The order requires applicable workers to test weekly for COVID-19 and provide the results to their employers, or if fully vaccinated, provide proof that they have received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine within one month of becoming eligible. Employers are required to keep vaccination records for these employees.

Anyone 16 or older is eligible for a booster dose six months after they become fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two months after they receive a dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.

On Dec. 22, California added a similar statewide requirement for healthcare workers, home care workers, and employees of congregate care and detention facilities.

Omicron is already the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. The average daily number of newly detected COVID-19 cases in the county has risen about 156% in the past week with an average of 313 new cases per day, a trend expected to continue and potentially accelerate throughout California this winter.

Contra Costa identified the county’s first patients infected by this variant last week – two of the three initial cases were fully vaccinated, but none of them had received booster doses.

According to the Health Services announcement, about 36% of Contra Costa residents aged 16 and older have received a booster dose, which they claim reduces risk of infection from the omicron variant and dramatically reduces risk of serious illness, hospitalization or death from all variants of COVID-19.

Farnitano was asked specifics about his new health order including, “how many of the newly detected cases of COVID-19 in our county are from the omicron variant?” and “how many people who have been diagnosed with the omicron variant in our county been hospitalized?”

In addition, he was asked, “why mandate a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for county first responders and workers in homeless shelters when both the vaccines and boosters are proving not to work, since people who have had both of them are still contracting COVID?”

Farnitano was also asked, isn’t this an unnecessary overreaction to the omicron variant, since the symptoms are being reported as mild.? He was then asked, with more than 1.3 million reported adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines, why continue to mandate them and the boosters, putting first responders at risk, especially since the symptoms of the omicron variant are so mild?”

The unelected county health officer, whose orders can’t be overruled by the elected county supervisors, was asked, why he was including the PCR test as one of the mandate options when they have proven to give false reports and have been discontinued as of Dec. 31.

Finally, Farnitano was asked “are you not aware the FDA posted on their website the CDC’s Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel dated that same day, which reported the tests do not necessarily work which is the reason the CDC discontinued their use?”

Dr. Farnitano didn’t respond. Instead, Will Harper, a spokesman for the county Health Services did. But he didn’t answer all the questions.

“Over the past two weeks, a growing number of lab samples in CoCo being sequenced are omicron,” Harper wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon. “We expect omicron to become the predominant variant in the county very soon. Check back in after the holidays.”

“Clearly, Omicron is extremely contagious as we see cases in Europe and parts of the U.S. spiking. While there are indications omicron is more mild than earlier strains, we don’t know that for sure. Even if it is milder, the sheer volume of cases from omicron could still have major impacts on our healthcare system,” he continued. “In Contra Costa, hospitalizations are up 39% from two weeks ago — a troubling sign, although still manageable right now.”

“The vaccines work — but we’re learning that their effectiveness wanes over time, which is why it’s so important for everyone ages 16 and older to get their booster shot, especially people in high-risk settings like first responders,” Harper added. “You can see on our vaccine dashboard that people who’ve gotten boosters have lower case rates.”

Additional questions were sent Wednesday night after work hours, asking, “but if the COVID vaccines wane in just months, while vaccines we received as kids, such as for smallpox, chickenpox and polio, etc. last a lifetime, how can anyone claim the COVID vaccines work? Or were they designed and developed with obsolescence so people would be required to get booster shots? What happens when the booster shots wane? Will people be required to get another, and another? When will it end?”

The text of the order is available at cchealth.org/coronavirus.

Please check back for any updates to this report.

Contra Costa DA charges woman who struck and killed Lafayette crossing guard in September

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The Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney has filed charges against Phyllis Meehan pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 192(c)(1) in the death of Stanley Middle School crossing guard, Ashley Steven Dias, age 45.

“This tragic incident has impacted an entire community,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “The loss of Ashley Dias is a solemn reminder that drivers must exercise caution and care when children and pedestrians are present.”

September 8, 2021, Phyllis Meehan, 78 years old, was picking up her grandson from the Lafayette Middle School when she collided with a vehicle and proceeded to accelerate into a crosswalk. Witnesses observed Mr. Dias pushed a student out of the path of the GMC Yukon before the crossing guard was fatally struck by the driver. The student suffered significant scrapes and bruises. Mr. Dias succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon.

According to the Lafayette Police Department, “At 3:00pm today (9/8/21) on School Street at Paradise Court a vehicle struck one adult and one child, the child had minor injuries and the adult was transported to the hospital.”

ABC7 News reported the child will survive, and that the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

An arraignment date has yet to be scheduled. The copy of the complaint and charges can be viewed, here:

Case information: Docket Number 01-197752-9

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Oakland woman arrested for $2,000 retail theft in Walnut Creek Sunday

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Items recovered from retail theft in Walnut Creek on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2021. Photos: WCPD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

You may have noticed extra Walnut Creek PD Officers, Lafayette PD, and Contra Costa County Deputies patrolling the downtown area.

We are doing our best to combat the influx of organized retail crime. Here is a little bit of the most recent activity:

On Sunday, Dec. 5, Officer Matt Smith noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in a parking lot near Broadway Plaza. The license plates were removed from the car, which Officer Smith recognized may be an indicator of someone attempting to get away with some kind of criminal behavior.

Officer Smith’s proactive investigation and the assistance of other WCPD units on scene led to the arrest of Eriona Mclothan, born Jan. 16, 1997, out of Oakland for PC 490.4, organized retail theft.

Approximately $2,000 in merchandise from various retailers in Broadway Plaza was recovered and returned.

Great investigation by all involved!!

 

Arson suspect arrested after starting multiple fires in downtown Walnut Creek

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By Walnut Creek Police Department

On Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, Walnut Creek Police arrested a man suspected of starting a series of small fires at a variety of city locations throughout the day today. 28-year-old Oscar Aguilar-Campos was detained, arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

The first 911 calls came shortly after 5:00 a.m. when Walnut Creek Police and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) responded to three separate dumpsters on fire in the downtown corridor over the period of one hour. They were quickly extinguished, and no witnesses or suspects were located.

Around 11:40 this morning, WCPD received a report of fabric on fire near the Lesher Center for the Arts. Con Fire quickly put that fire out, and within minutes, WCPD received multiple calls of additional small fires, including one inside the Walnut Creek Library. Four small fires had been set inside the library, two in trash cans, one on a chair, and one involving a book. The library was evacuated, and no one was hurt. The library reopened around 2:30 this afternoon.

WCPD located a witness who was able to give officers a description of the suspect. Patrol and plain clothes officers searching the area found Aguilar-Campos walking downtown. Con Fire’s arson investigators are working closely with WCPD and will be presenting this case to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

If anyone has any information about any of these fires, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844. WCPD Case Number: 21-31558

Contra Costa DA announces arrest, charges against defendant in Blackhawk store robbery, carjacking-kidnapping

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Suspects’ vehicles used in Blackhawk robbery and carjacking. Screenshot of Danville Police video.

One of three suspects, two still sought

By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Martinez – The Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has charged Philander Raymel Walton Johnson age 30, in a four-count felony complaint with Robbery, Assault with a Deadly Weapon and two counts of Carjacking for Kidnapping. The charges stem from the November 24, 2021, crime spree which began at the Ace Hardware in Blackhawk and culminated in Johnson’s arrest in San Ramon.

According to Danville Police Chief Allan Shields, Johnson was one of three suspects involved in the crimes. (See 6:23 mark of video by Chief Shields).

“This brazen crime spree is a flagrant violation of community safety,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “My office is working in a coordinated effort with law enforcement partners throughout the Bay Area to identify perpetrators of organized retail theft. Those who engage in such criminality will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.”

Johnson and two unidentified individuals entered the Blackhawk Ace Hardware and attempted to flee with several power tools in hand. When confronted by store staff, Johnson brandished a knife and effectuated his escape. Separated from his accomplices, Johnson proceeded into a nearby parking lot and entered the car of an unwitting motorist. Johnson held the driver at knife point and commanded the victim drive him out of the immediate area.

Johnson arrived in San Ramon, abandoning the first carjacking victim to enter a second occupied vehicle. Johnson threatened the unwitting occupant to drive him away. Law enforcement in the area were able to observe the suspicious nature of the activity and conducted a traffic stop, assisting the victim driver and apprehending Johnson.

Johnson is pending adjudication of an unrelated shoplifting case which had previously been filed in August 2021. Johnson is in custody awaiting arraignment.

Case information: People vs Philander Johnson 01-197695-0

Contra Costa DA announces charges against three defendants in organized retail theft operation

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Suspects from San Francisco, Oakland face felony charges of conspiracy, burglary, robbery, and organized retail theft of Walnut Creek Nordstrom Saturday night

By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced, today, felony charges have been filed related to the retail thefts at Nordstrom, Walnut Creek on Saturday night, November 20, 2021, when approximately 90 individuals stormed the Nordstrom Department Store in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza simultaneously using three separate entrances. (See video from ABC7 news report)

Two employees were assaulted, and one was pepper sprayed by the suspects. Officers arrived on the scene quickly, stopping one of the cars and arresting two people, one of whom was in possession of a firearm. Another person was arrested nearby a short time later in possession of stolen Nordstrom property. The remaining participants in this criminal mob fled from the area in cars at high speeds.

Police are investigating what was clearly a planned event, with the initial calls coming into the department about cars driving recklessly in the area shortly before 9:00 p.m. Nordstrom employees began calling 911 when approximately 80 people entered the store and immediately began stealing merchandise.

The three suspects arrested by the Walnut Creek Police Department are Dana Nika Dawson, age 30 and Joshua Noel William Underwood, age 32 both of San Francisco, and Rodney Barone Robinson, age 19 of Oakland.

“The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is committed to working with the Walnut Creek Police Department and our retail community to hold those involved in retail theft accountable. We are committed to stopping those who participate in organized retail theft, which has adverse and costly impacts on business owners and consumers as well” stated District Attorney Diana Becton.

The copy of the complaint and charges can be viewed here: CCDA – Dawson Underwood Robinson complaint #01-197688-5

The defendants will be arraigned on the Felony charges on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 25 of the Contra Costa Superior Court.

The Walnut Creek Police Department is continuing to investigate Saturday night’s organized theft ring activity at Nordstrom in the Broadway Plaza. There were no additional major incidents over the course of the weekend in Walnut Creek, although similar thefts took place at a variety of locations throughout the Bay Area. While the Police Department is actively monitoring intelligence, there is no indication that Walnut Creek residents or businesses need to be on a heightened alert. Police are continuing their expanded presence in the downtown area.

The Walnut Creek Police Department was actively monitoring intelligence that indicates the group of thieves who stole from the Broadway Plaza Nordstrom were considering similar activity later that day. That was not confirmed, but out of an abundance of caution, they alerted businesses and residents to be prepared. The Police Department called out additional officers and reserves.

The investigation is on-going, if anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Deng at deng@walnutcreekpd.com. Case information: Docket Number 01-197688-5.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.