Contra Costa Herald

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

Concord PD’s K9 Rico finds hidden firearm after foot pursuit

By Leave a Comment

Concord Police K9 Rico with the confiscated gun and magazine. Photo: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

Recently, officers from a neighboring agency pursued a suspect who was believed to be armed. After the suspect was safely taken into custody, officers requested assistance from our K9 team to search the area for any discarded evidence.

K9 Rico, who is specially trained in locating firearms, tracked the suspect’s path and located a loaded handgun with an extended magazine hidden between some tires near where the suspect was arrested.

Great work by K9 Rico and his handler for helping ensure our community stays safe!

45-year-old felon arrested for Brentwood business burglary

By Leave a Comment

Mario Delgado of Brentwood was on felony probation, has a history of arrests, held on $50K bail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 8800 block of Brentwood Blvd. in response to an alarm call at a local business.

Upon arrival, officers discovered an open door but did not locate anyone inside the premises. Officers reviewed the business’s video surveillance footage, which showed a male suspect inside the business stealing items.

A short time later, a Brentwood Sergeant located the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mario Raphael Delgado of Brentwood (born 4/18/1980), a short distance from the burglarized business. Delgado was found to have an outstanding felony warrant and was on felony probation at the time of arrest.

Delgado was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on charges related to the burglary and the outstanding warrant.

The Brentwood Police Department remains committed to protecting local businesses. Had it not been for the video surveillance and the quick response by officers, the suspect may not have been arrested.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, five-feet, eight inches tall, 175-pound Delgado is Hispanic, but also listed as white, and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15 at 8:30 AM in Superior Court in Pittsburg.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Fremont PD, and the Sheriff’s Departments of Tulare, Fresno, El Dorado and Contra Costa counties for crimes including carjacking, vandalism, DUI, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, addict in possession of firearm, carrying a concealed firearm – pistol, revolver, other, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, purchasing or receiving a firearm knowing that he is prohibited by restraining order or injunction and intoxicated in public.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch woman arrested in Brentwood for illegal gun, large quantity of drugs

By Leave a Comment

Un-serialized loaded gun found near the suspect’s vehicle and seized during arrest. Photo: Brentwood PD

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse held on $100,000 bail; celebrating her birthday in jail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Brentwood officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of Lone Tree Way in response to a report of a suspicious circumstance. The reporting party stated they heard gunshots in a commercial parking lot and associated the sounds with a parked vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers detained three subjects near the vehicle in question. During the investigation, officers located an un-serialized loaded firearm and a spent casing near the vehicle. A large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics sales were also found.

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse of Antioch (born 10/28/82) was arrested for multiple firearm-related offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as possession of narcotics for sale. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot tall, 125-pound Greenhouse is Hispanic, is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $100,000 bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Superior Court in Martinez on Nov. 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Walnut Creek residential burglary duo arrested, charged

By Leave a Comment

Screenshots of surveillance video show Jeremy Arellano and Rae Mone during the residential burglary of a Walnut Creek home in September. Both Mones (right) and Arellano were arrested on Oct. 21. Source & photo by Walnut Creek PD

Community assistance leads to identification of Concord man and Oakland woman with history of arrests

By Walnut Creek Police Department

On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, a residential burglary occurred in the area of Citrus Avene and Perada Drive. We requested the community’s help in identifying the two suspects involved in the burglary.

Thanks to the community’s assistance in identifying the suspects, as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, both individuals have been taken into custody. We appreciate your help!

On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed 459 PC- Residential Burglary charges against Jeremy S. Arellano, a 36-year-old resident of Concord, and Rae Lynne Mones, a 47-year-old resident of Oakland (born 3/4/78) in relation to the Perada Drive and Citrus Avenue residential burglary.

Mones was charged with being an addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a silencer, buying, selling or possession of a firearm without identification numbers and an unspecified offense.

Once again, we would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support in assisting with the suspects identification.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, seven inch tall, 175-pound Mones is Hispanic, but also listed as white. She is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $51,500 bail and her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Mones has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including Martinez and San Pablo PD and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglar’s tools, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, lying to police, receiving or concealing stolen property, driving while license is suspended, unlawful use of willfully obtained personal identifying information, addict in possession of firearm, possession of ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession of personal identifying information of another person with intent to defraud.

According to localcrimenews.com, Arellano was also arrested on June 5 by Walnut Creek Police for taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and on Oct. 3 by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department on a warrants or holds only.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Quick response leads to 4 arrests at Concord shopping center

By 6 Comments

The stolen merchandise recovered (center and four suspects. Photos: Concord PD

Juveniles suspected of stealing $3,400 in merchandise; Pleasant Hill PD assists

By Concord Police Department

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, officers responded to a report of four subjects running toward the exit after stealing merchandise from a local store. When officers arrived, the suspects fled in different directions—but our officers quickly pursued and apprehended all four juvenile suspects. All four were booked and then transported to Juvenile Hall.

All stolen merchandise—valued at approximately $3,400—was recovered. Detectives are investigating whether these individuals are connected to other recent high-value thefts from the same store over the past two weeks.

A big thank you to Pleasant Hill PD for their assistance!

Thanks to the quick response and teamwork, another theft was stopped, and our community remains a little safer.

Pinole company learns employee is a felon, arrested for possession of “ghost” guns

By Leave a Comment

The ghost guns and ammunition seized from the suspect’s work van. Photo: Pinole PD

Clarence Odell Cortez of Lathrop hid them in work van; 5th arrest in 3 years all on weapons, drug charges; already bonded out of custody

By Pinole Police Department

Officers in Action. Looks like someone took the Halloween spirit a little too far! An employer’s surprise check uncovered a felon with ghost guns hiding in a work van.

An employer was doing a spot check of one of their employees at a job site in the 1400 block of Fitzgerald Drive and learned the employee was a convicted felon in possession of a rifle in the company work van. Pinole officers responded and the employee was safely detained. During a search of the company van, a ghost (unserialized) rifle and ghost pistol with matching ammunition was located in the van.

Clarence Odell Cortez of Lathrop, CA was arrested for multiple felony charges including felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Our officers handled it quickly and thankfully the only thing disappearing was the suspect’s freedom!

According to localcrimenews.com, Cortez was previously arrested four times in 2023 and 2024, three times by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and once by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department. Charges included possession of burglar’s tools, addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, felony committed while released on bail or own recognizance, carrying a loaded firearm – previous felony conviction, possession of an assault weapon, convicted felon carrying a concealed firearm, violent felon in possession of body armor, short-barrel firearm sentencing, manufacturing, distributing, transporting, importing, selling or giving an assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of 8:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24 he had bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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 2 Comments

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.”