Contra Costa Herald

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

4 arrested for illegal drug manufacturing, distribution operation in Pittsburg

By 2 Comments

A Con Fire hazmat team leaves the house where the operation was located. Bags of counterfeit prescription pills and a mask were confiscated. Video screenshots by Pittsburg PD

Each held on $2 million bail; Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies and helicopter, Antioch PD, Con Fire hazmat team assist

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2025, our SIU (Special Investigations Unit) detectives, along with patrol officers, served a search warrant at a Pittsburg residence connected to an illegal narcotics manufacturing and distribution operation. While those involved may have imagined themselves as criminal masterminds, the reality was far less impressive—and now their operation has been shut down.

Four suspects were detained and later booked on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, sales and manufacturing of controlled substances. Their criminal enterprise has been dismantled.

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to STARR1, our partners at the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Antioch Police Department, and to Contra Costa Fire’s hazmat team for ensuring the safety of both our officers and the surrounding community throughout the operation.

Personnel from multiple agencies assisted in the effort.

Most importantly, SIU detectives seized more than 100,000 counterfeit prescription pills—approximately 70 pounds—many of which likely contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, or other dangerous substances. These pills were intended for distribution on our streets, and their removal undoubtedly prevented potential overdoses, injuries, and deaths in our community.

Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, 2025, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on all four individuals, with bail set at over $2 million each.

 

Oakland man arrested following Hwy 24 shootings, pursuit, crash in Walnut Creek

By Leave a Comment

Carlos Ray Thomas was arrested by CHP on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Photo: CHP-Golden Gate

Booked for multiple felony charges, including attempted murder

Three vehicles shot, victims uninjured

By CHP – Golden Gate

Oakland, Calif.—An Oakland man is in custody after shooting at vehicles on State Route 24 (SR-24) on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 9, 2025. 57-year-old Carlos Ray Thomas of Oakland was arrested by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers after crashing on I-680 in Contra Costa County following the shooting.

On Thursday, October 9, at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers assigned to the CHP Oakland Area office were dispatched to a freeway shooting on eastbound SR-24, west of Old Tunnel Road. Responding officers learned that a victim’s vehicle had been struck by gunfire from a passing vehicle. The victim was uninjured and stopped near the scene. Two additional victims contacted CHP after arriving at their homes to report that their vehicles had also been struck by gunfire.

Following the shooting, multiple witnesses called 9-1-1 and provided dispatchers with a description of Thomas’ vehicle, which continued into Contra Costa County. Just after 4 p.m., Thomas crashed his vehicle in the center divide on southbound I-680 near Olympic Boulevard in Walnut Creek. Thomas exited the vehicle and was attempting to flee the scene on foot when multiple CHP units arrived and took him into custody without incident. A firearm was also recovered.

The CHP’s Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit responded to the scene and assumed primary investigative responsibility. At approximately 4:30 p.m., all eastbound lanes of SR-24 were diverted onto southbound SR-13 to allow investigators to process the scene. The lanes were reopened just after 7:00 p.m. Thomas was later booked into Santa Rita jail on multiple felony charges, including attempted murder and shooting from a vehicle.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas is being held without bail and his next court appearance for an Attorney and Plea Hearing is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17 at 9:00 AM in Dept. 112 of the Alameda County Superior Court Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

San Pablo man sentenced to life for 2017 Richmond murder of ex-girlfriend

By 1 Comment

Lawyer Dushan McBride (2017 Richmond PD photos) and murder victim, 29-year-old Rashanda Franklin. Photo source: gunmemorial.org

51-year-old Lawyer Dushan McBride convicted of killing Rashanda Franklin with her children in the car

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

Martinez, California – A judge today, Friday, October 10, 2025, sentenced 51-year-old Lawyer Dushan McBride (born 1/14/1974) to life in prison after a jury found him guilty earlier this year of murdering Rashanda Franklin in 2017. (See related article)

The Honorable Judge Mary Ann O’Malley sentenced McBride to 95 years to life in state prison. This consists of a determinate sentence of 20 years and 4 months, followed by an indeterminate sentence of 75 years to life.

McBride, who was 43 at the time, waited for Franklin, 30, in a church parking lot where she dropped off her children for school. He had been following and harassing her for weeks after she ended their two-year relationship but was not the father of the children. Fearing for her safety, Franklin called 911 and drove away with her children still in the car.

As both vehicles neared the intersection of 29th Street and Rheem Avenue in Richmond, McBride cut off Franklin’s car and got out to confront her. The 911 recording captured Franklin’s desperate plea: “I’ve got my kids in the car.” McBride replied, “I ain’t playing with you,” then shot and killed her.

In addition to murder, McBride was sentenced for related offenses of firing into an occupied vehicle, stalking, using a firearm to cause death and inflicting great bodily injury in circumstances involving domestic violence.

Rashanda Franklin. Photos: Facebook

“This tragic case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence, which claims far too many lives,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “While no verdict can bring back a mother taken from her children in such a senseless act of violence, this sentence provides the victim’s family with a measure of justice and accountability. It also sends a clear message that stalking and harassment are warning signs that must be taken seriously, and that those who perpetrate such violence will be held responsible under the law.”

See surveillance video in ABC7 News report.

According to localcrimenews.com, McBride is Black and was also arrested in November 2020 for theft as reported by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 220-pound convict was arrested on May 2, 2025, and is currently being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

For anyone experiencing domestic violence, help is available at Contra Costa’s Family Justice Centers cocofamilyjustice.org, by calling STAND! for Families free from Violence 1-888-215-5555, or at StaySafeContraCosta.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

87 arrests, 11 for DUI in Pleasant Hill in September 2025

By Leave a Comment

Source: Pleasant Hill PD

By Allen D. Payton

The Pleasant Hill Police Department provided the public with a look at some of the police activity that took place in September 2025.

There were 2,197 calls for service. That makes 18,780 total incidents for this year. That’s 5.2% more calls for service, compared to this time last year. Five were crimes against persons, including one aggravated assault and four robberies, both decreased over August.

Source: Pleasant Hill PD

The 94 crimes included two residential burglaries, four business burglaries, six auto thefts and 82 larcenies such as shoplifting, theft from a car, bike theft, purse snatch, etc. All but business burglaries decreased over August.

Of the 87 arrests for the month, 11 were for DUI, 74% were for misdemeanors, 26% were for felonies and all involved adults.

A post on the PHPD Facebook page reads, “We’ll continue sharing this information monthly on social media, but for a more extensive look at our crime stats, please visit https://www.phillca.gov/1384/Crime-Statistics.”

Brentwood man on electric scooter sustains head injury in collision with barrier

By 2 Comments

By Lt. Christopher Peart, Brentwood Police Department

At approximately 6:49 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, Brentwood Police officers responded to a reported solo motorcycle collision on Sand Creek Trail near Old Sand Creek Road.

Upon arrival, officers determined that a 39-year-old adult male from Brentwood was riding an electric scooter and collided with a wooden stanchion. The impact ejected him from the electric scooter, causing him to strike the roadway. The rider sustained a serious head injury and was air lifted to a local hospital. He was not wearing a helmet.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. However, there is no indication that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact the Brentwood Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (925) 634-6911.

7 arrested in Concord mall smash and grab burglary, one with assault weapon

By Leave a Comment

A glass entry door to the Sun Valley Mall in Concord was broken through in the attempted smash and grab burglary and gun seized from one of the suspects on Sunday morning, Oct. 5, 2025. Photos: Concord PD

4 following early Sunday morning police pursuit, collision

18-year-old from Richmond, 6 juveniles

By Concord Police Department

On Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at 3:52am, Concord PD Dispatchers received a call from Sun Valley Shopping Center Security regarding a burglary in progress. A large group of suspects had forced entry through glass doors. Officers quickly arrived at the mall and located the suspects exiting.

Four suspects entered a vehicle and fled, leading officers on a short pursuit. The driver lost control, was involved in a solo vehicle collision and then fled on foot. The three he left behind in the car were immediately taken into custody. There were no injuries as a result of the vehicle collision.

The driver was located a short distance away, hiding in bushes and taken into custody. The other three subjects that had been left behind at the mall were also immediately taken into custody. One of them was found to be in possession of a firearm with modifications that made it an assault weapon.

There are no outstanding suspects, and all are facing an extensive list of charges. The six male juveniles, all from San Pablo and Richmond, were booked at the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall. Marcos Ramirez-Castro, 18, from Richmond, was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Brentwood man, Antioch juvenile arrested for Aug. 25th Brentwood robbery

By Leave a Comment

Police seek three other suspects

By Allen D. Payton

On Monday, Sept. 22 Brentwood Police arrested Ty William Duggins, age 19, (born 3/13/2006) of Rodeo for a robbery of an individual of a cell phone and jewelry, that occurred on August 25 in the city. According to Lt.  Mike Aguiar, he is one of five suspects wanted in the crime, including a juvenile from Antioch who was also arrested. But the police do not have the identities of the other three.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot tall, 250-pound Duggins is Hispanic (although he’s also listed as White), is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, criminal conspiracy and robbery.

He is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $150,000 bail and is next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 8:30 AM in Dept. 4 of the Contra Costa Delta Superior Court in Pittsburg.

According to localcrimenews.com, Duggins was also arrested the day before by American Canyon Police in Napa County on an outstanding warrant and for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

The incident is still under investigation.

Four more arrests made in San Ramon jewelry store smash and grab armed robbery

By 5 Comments

Surveillance video footage shows about 20 masked suspects entered Heller’s Jewelers in San Ramon for the smash and grab armed robbery on Monday. Source: Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) / X

Out of 23 suspects who stole over $1 million of merchandise; all from Oakland, one was arrested twice before in September

By Allen D. Payton

Four more arrests have been made in the smash and grab armed robbery of a San Ramon jewelry store on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. San Ramon Police Chief Denton Carlson said the seven suspects in custody range in ages from 17 to 31. According to Lt. Leysy Pelayo of the SRPD Investigations Division they are Jacques Samuel, 18, Deandre Demisse, Jr., 19, and Jahkeal McGlothin, 18 and an unnamed 17-year-old juvenile. All four are from Oakland. They are among 23 suspects who stole over $1 million of merchandise.

As previously reported, three men have been charged by the Contra Costa DA’s Office with orchestrating the heist, Michael Lamont Ray, Jr., 31 and Ira Raheem Austin, 19, of San Francisco, and Jimmy Mack Ray, 27, of Vallejo.  Michael Ray is being held on $300K bail, Jimmy Ray with a history of arrests dating back to 2017 is being held on no bail and Austin bonded out of custody as of Wednesday, Sept. 24.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office McGlothin is Black and was out of custody as of Wednesday night, Sept. 24 with no charges filed and Demisse was released from custody on Thursday with no charges filed.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 215-pound Samuel (born 7/16/2007) is Black and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail. He currently has no scheduled court date. According to localcrimenews.com, Samuel is from San Francisco and was previously arrested by S.F.P.D. twice on Sept. 9, 2025, for kidnapping, grand theft, carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, removing, destroying or  damaging a wireless communication device to prevent summoning assistance or law enforcement, evasion with wanton disregard for safety and driving without a license. He was also arrested that same day for carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony and again, for evasion with wanton disregard for safety.

Police seek public’s help ID’ing San Pablo arson suspect

By Leave a Comment

Photos: San Pablo PD

Can you identify this suspect?

By San Pablo Police Department

SPPD investigators are requesting our community’s assistance to identify the suspect involved in an arson incident which occurred on September 18, 2025.

On Friday, Sept. 18, 2025, at approximately 4:17AM, SPPD officers responded to reports of a vehicle fire in the 13900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle parked within a carport, fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished by Contra Costa County Fire District (ConFire) personnel; the vehicle and an attached commercial building were both unoccupied at the time of the incident.

Based on information gathered from the scene, investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set to the vehicle by an unknown suspect, pictured below. He is described as a Caucasian male adult, approximately 30-40 years old, and was observed leaving the scene, on foot, wearing a black graphic t-shirt over a gray long-sleeve shirt, dark colored pants and black shoes.

If you recognize this suspect, please contact Detective J. Spiegel at JosephS@SanPabloCA.gov , or 510-215-3109. This incident remains an active investigation, and anyone with furthe information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the SPPD Investigations Division at 510-215-3150.

 

Pittsburg man arrested in Brentwood for using stolen credit card to pay tow fees

By Leave a Comment

Adam Lew’s latest arrest by Brentwood Police on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Photo: Brentwood PD.

In lobby of police department

2nd time in 2 weeks: arrested on Sept. 14 for mail, check theft also in Brentwood

By Brentwood Police Department

On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, around 11:30AM, 36-year-old Adam Alexander Lew of Pittsburg came to the Brentwood Police Department to pay tow fees. To our surprise, Lew attempted to pay using a credit card that didn’t belong to him.

Luckily, our officers were quickly notified and immediately responded to the front lobby, where Lew was placed under arrest for using a stolen credit card. He was also found to be in possession of drugs and burglary tools.

Lew was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

According to localcrimenews.com, Lew has a history of arrests dating back to 2013 including on Sept. 14, 2025, by Brentwood Police for mail and check theft in that city. (See related article) He was charged with forgery, possession of burglar’s tools, unlawful use of willfully obtained personal identifying information, receiving or concealing stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 175-pound suspect was being held for that arrest on $95,000 bail. Lew was out of custody as of Wednesday night, Sept. 17, 2025, with no charges filed.

He is now being held in the West County Detention Facility on $20,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.