Contra Costa Herald

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

Traffic stop leads San Pablo police to arrest man, woman with outstanding warrants for sex crimes and drugs

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Drugs and paraphernalia found in suspects’ vehicle. Photos by SPPD.

By San Pablo Police Department

Warrant Arrests – Sexual Offenses

Friday night, March 13, 2020 officers on the graveyard shift made a traffic stop. The driver and the passenger, a male and a female, both had warrants for their arrest. One for rape and one for pimping and pandering.

Upon search of the vehicle, officers found drugs, scales, paraphernalia and bags for packaging/sales.

The warrants did not originate from the San Pablo Police Department but other neighboring cities and outside of Contra Costa County.

Female jogger sexually assaulted on Iron Horse Trail in Walnut Creek Thursday

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Suspect sought by police – described as a white male adult, between 25 and 27 years of age, between 5’09” and 5’10” tall, with a skinny build, with dark hair, a beard, or a Goatee type facial hair

By East Bay Regional Park District Police

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, at about 7:16 PM, a female jogger was assaulted on the Iron Horse Trail, near the intersection of Jones Road and Treat Blvd., in Walnut Creek, CA. The jogger was traveling south on the trail, on the Robert I. Schroder overcrossing at Treat Blvd., when she was inappropriately grabbed from behind by a male assailant, a crime of Sexual Battery (243.4 PC). The suspect continued to run southbound on the trail and is still outstanding. The victim sustained no other injuries.

Location of assault on Iron Horse Trail 03-12-20.

East Bay Regional Park District Police officers, along with officers from BART PD, Walnut Creek PD, and deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area to assist with the investigation. The victim described the suspect as a white male adult, between 25 and 27 years of age, between 5’09” and 5’10” tall, with a skinny build, with dark hair, a beard, or a Goatee type facial hair and wearing all dark athletic type clothing.

The crime is the third incident of recent assaults on the Iron Horse Trail in the same area currently being investigated by the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department. The suspect’s description closely resembles the physical description of the suspect from two previous incidents.

The East Bay Regional Park District Police Department is carefully and diligently investigating all three of these incidents and believes they are related. Anyone who was on the Iron Horse Trail during this time or who may have cameras that may have captured the suspect’s photo is asked to contact our Dispatch Center at (510) 881-1833.

The Police Department is working with allied agencies to locate and arrest the suspect in these crimes. We ask the public to be aware of their surroundings while visiting the parks and to phone the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department any suspicious activity within the parks.

The East Bay Regional Park District Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault, was in the immediate area during the time of 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, or may have information regarding the identity of the suspect, to contact the East Bay Regional Park District Police Dispatch Center at (510) 881-1833 or the anonymous Tip Line at (510) 690-6521.

 

Multiple police agencies shut down “sideshows” in East County, Concord Sunday night

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Screenshot from CCC Sheriff helicopter STAR 3 video of sideshow at Vasco and Marsh Creek Roads, Sunday night, March 7, 2020. Photos courtesy of Antioch Police.

Enforcement results in numerous arrests, 60 citations issued and 55 vehicles towed

By Sgt. Rick Smith, Antioch Police Field Services – Patrol

Information was developed that a large scale “sideshow” event was planned to occur in Eastern Contra Costa County on March 7, 2020. These events have been frequently occurring in the Bay Area and if not addressed by law enforcement they become out of control. These events are extremely dangerous due to the reckless driving that often leads to violence or subjects being severely injured while disrupting the lives of non-involved motorists and residents.

The Antioch Police Department reached out to surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance in addressing this planned “sideshow” due to the anticipated size of the event and the various locations in Eastern Contra Costa County identified as possible locations of occurrence. The request was answered with officers being sent from all east county agencies to include the Brentwood Police Department, Oakley Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Air Operations also assisted by having Helicopter STAR 3 overhead in support.

A large “sideshow” event occurred with participants performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers in the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Vasco Road. This is a heavily travelled area of roadway and participants used their vehicles to stop traffic in all directions while performing dangerous driving maneuvers. CCSO STAR 3 was overhead and was able to help responding units stop and arrest numerous participants.

Several of these participants did manage to escape arrest by driving at and around arriving officers on roadway shoulders and into oncoming lanes of traffic. Again, putting numerous citizens and officers in harm’s way. These participants went to other nearby areas and continued to take over intersections by performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers.

Thanks to CCSO STAR 3 overhead, several officers were able to break-up this second “Sideshow” event that was occurring along Vineyards Parkway in the City of Brentwood. Several participants were again stopped and arrested with their vehicles being towed.

Cars on Vineyard Parkway in Brentwood.

CCSO STAR 3 helped identify a third “sideshow” location on Balfour Road at American Avenue in the City of Brentwood. Arriving Officers located and arrested several more drivers with their vehicles again being towed.

Cars at Balfour Road and American Avenue in Brentwood.

This continued with a fourth “sideshow” taking place in the City of Antioch at the intersection of A Street and East 18th Street. Officers arrived as the participants were dispersing. Officers were able to identify the involved drivers and vehicles. More vehicles were stopped at various locations with the drivers being arrested and their vehicles being towed.

During these events, a motorcycle was involved and fled from officers when an enforcement stop was attempted. With the assistance of CCSO STAR 3, officers were able to follow the motorcycle safely and later located the rider. The rider was taken into custody with his motorcycle being subsequently towed and stored.

The remaining group of drivers then made their way into the City of Concord. The Concord Police Department was aware of what was occurring in the eastern end of the county. They were able to disperse the remaining participants from their city. After this last incident, it appears the participants stopped for the night and no other incidents were reported.

Nearly 60 citations were issued. 50 of the citations were for infield arrests for reckless driving offenses directly related to “sideshow” activity. This resulted in 55 vehicles being towed and stored. There were three other arrests as a result of this enforcement for charges of driving under the influence, felony evading, and a warrant arrest for robbery.

This type of reckless driving has become a regular occurrence in the Bay Area. It is an extreme danger to those involved and even more of a danger for the un-involved citizens who unfortunately become victims of the illegal activity. Due to the officers pro-actively addressing this issue, several of the involved drivers will now be without their vehicles for an extended period and will also be facing possible fines from the Courts. Officers in Contra Costa County will continue to address these incidents with zero tolerance.

As a reminder to those who choose to show off their driving skills, public roadways are not the proper venues for this type of behavior. There are sanctioned events and locations throughout the state that allow this type of driving. Often rewarding drivers for their skills while providing a safe environment to all.

This preliminary information is made available by the Community Policing Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Walnut Creek Police arrest four for $2,700 shoplifting spree

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Four shoplifting suspects arrested. Photos by WCPD.

By WCPD

Stolen items recovered.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at approximately 2:00 PM, WCPD Officers made a traffic stop on a black Dodge Charger. Four individuals were contacted and confessed to stealing merchandise from Broadway Plaza. A subsequent search of this Dodge revealed over $2700 in stolen merchandise from Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Destiny Dixon, Jasmine Grotegeer, Charlie Mosley and Tyree Santee were arrested for numerous theft related charges and probation violations. They were transported to county jail. This is a reminder to all criminals that Broadway Plaza is for shopping not shoplifting.

Concord man arrested for Tuesday stabbing, charged with attempted murder

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Suspect Jose Mario Aguilar. Photo by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, just after 3:10 p.m., Concord Officers responded to a fight on Meadow Lane near Riley Court. When the first officer arrived on scene, he discovered the victim lying on street with multiple stab wounds. The suspect fled the area but, was located by one of our observant officers half-a-mile away. Several witnesses positively identified the suspect, 25-year-old Concord resident Jose Mario Calonge Aguilar, as being responsible for repeatedly stabbing the victim. At this time, it appears the attack was unprovoked.

The victim was transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

The Concord Major Crimes Unit actively investigated this case. Some of this brutal attack was captured on surveillance and shows numerous vehicles stopped in traffic while the victim was being assaulted.

Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 CASE UPDATE: The suspect, Jose Mario Aguilar, was located by one of our officers and positively identified by several witnesses. Much of this brutal attack was captured on home video surveillance systems located in the neighborhood, which assisted Concord Major Crimes Unit Detectives with their investigation.

We wanted to let you know that yesterday the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Aguilar for attempted murder (P.C. 664/187), and assault with a deadly weapon (P.C. 245(a)1) with enhancements. Aguilar will be held in custody on a $1.19 million bail. As we previously posted, the victim in this case is in stable condition. Thank you to the community members who called 9-1-1 and who assisted us with our investigation.

If you were in the area and witnessed any portion of it please contact Detective Loercher at (925) 603-5922 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call (925) 603-5836 and refer to case #20-2163.

 

Police arrest suspect connected to bank robberies in Contra Costa County

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Bank robbery suspect Brendan Gray. Photo by CCCSheriff.

Alamo resident

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at about 3:35 PM, Lafayette and Walnut Creek Police arrested 41-year-old Brendan Gray at his home in Alamo. Gray is a suspect in a series of recent bank robberies that occurred in Contra Costa County.

On February 19, 2020, at about 3:46 PM, a bank robbery happened at the Wells Fargo Bank on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. During the investigation, Detectives determined that robbery was connected to one that occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank on Moraga Way in Orinda on February 12, 2020, and at a Wells Fargo Bank in Walnut Creek on February 1, 2020.

Lafayette Police Detectives, assisted by Danville Police, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and Walnut Creek Police were able to identify a suspect vehicle and identify Brendan Gray as the suspect in the robberies.

An arrest warrant was obtained and with the assistance of Walnut Creek PD, Gray was taken into custody without incident. Gray was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three counts of first degree robbery. He is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.

The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding these cases to contact Detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us. Tips could also be emailed to the Lafayette Police Department at: 94549TIP@gmail.com

Two from Oakley, one other arrested in Brentwood Friday with drugs, fake money, stolen mail, more in stolen car

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Photos by Brentwood PD.

By Brentwood Police Department

Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 – It started as a traffic stop. That changed when officers discovered three people in a car in possession of methamphetamine, stolen mail, burglary tools, an imitation firearm and counterfeit currency. On top of all that, it was discovered that the car they were in was stolen. Arrested were 29-year-old Carlos Canales Jr. and 25-year-old Savannah Vetterli of Oakley along with 27-year-old Jesus Olivarez II of Stockton.

All three were given a ride to county jail…and the owner of the car will be getting their car back!

Brentwood man dies in solo car crash Saturday evening

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Photo by Brentwood PD.

By Brentwood Police Department

It’s with great sadness tonight, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 that we have to report the loss of a 23-year-old Brentwood man who died at the scene of this collision. At 5:09 PM, officers responded to this crash and discovered a man inside the car unresponsive and trapped. Fire Personnel arrived and were able to extract him from the car but pronounced him deceased.

Fortunately, there were no other occupants in the car. What caused this collision is still being investigated by our Traffic Safety Division so please refrain from passing judgment. We do not suspect alcohol was involved and there were no other reports of any other vehicles associated with this collision.

Out of respect to the family, we are not releasing the decedent’s name at this time.

If anyone witnessed this accident, or has information to share about moments prior to it, please contact our Traffic Safety Division at 925-634-6911.

Man fatally shot in Pittsburg Friday night, police ask public’s help to find shooter

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By Pittsburg Police Department

Last night, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, we received multiple 911 calls of several shots fired near Crestview Drive and Alta Vista Circle. Officers arrived to find a 21-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by EMS, he did not survive.

We are in the early stages of the investigation and the information is limited.

At this point, it appears the victim was in a park adjacent to Alta Vista Circle when an unidentified suspect approached the victim and fired several shots. The suspect then ran and got into a compact car and drove away.

Our investigators could use the public’s help with any information or security camera video from the area. Anyone with information should please contact our Pittsburg Police Tip-Line at (925) 252-4040

Police seek shoplifters who stole almost $3,500 of fragrances from Concord beauty store

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Screenshot from surveillance video and inset photos of suspects top left and right. Courtesy of Concord Police.

By Concord Police Department

If you were thinking about buying perfume for your special someone this Valentine’s Day, make sure you get to the store before this man and woman! View the surveillance video.

On January 23rd, just before noon the couple shown in this video entered a local beauty store and made a beeline to the fragrance section. There, they selected thirty-three bottles of a variety of perfumes and placed them into a bag. With haste, they left the store failing to pay for the almost $3,500 worth of merchandise!

Although we made light of the case at the beginning of the post, we take these crimes very seriously. We would love to get the suspects identified and make them answer for their crime. So, if you recognize either of them please contact the Concord Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit at PDInvestigations@cityofconcord.org or you can call our anonymous tip line at (925) 603-5836.