Contra Costa Herald

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

DA: Enough evidence against Danville karate coach for sex crimes against children to go to trial

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Will remain in custody while awaiting trial

Ramon Pruitt. Photo by Danville PD.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Martinez, Calif. – On April 21, 2020, the Honorable Patricia Scanlon found there to be enough evidence against defendant Ramon Pruitt (63-years-old) during his preliminary hearing for his case to proceed to trial. In total, Pruitt is facing eight felonies counts for sex crimes against children. Judge Scanlon agreed with our Office’s request to keep Pruitt in custody as he awaits trial. He is in custody on $500,000 bail. (See related article)

Pruitt of San Geronimo, California is a local karate instructor and operated Danville Karate International. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is working closely with the Danville Police Department on the case.

The criminal investigation into Pruitt’s activities associated with Danville Karate International is ongoing. There may be additional victims in addition to the two victims associated with the criminal charges in this case. Anyone with information should contact the Danville Police Department Detective Daniel Lynch at 925-314-3711.

Pruitt’s alleged offenses occurred as far back as 2013 and as recently as January of this year. The preliminary hearing conveyed evidence involving two male victims, both minors at the time of the allegations.

Case information: People v. Ramon Pruitt, Docket Number 01-193129-4.

Four teens arrested for Danville, Dublin store robberies

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Charged with looting due to coronavirus state of emergency

By Danville Police

Four teenagers are in custody following a Friday afternoon robbery of a Danville CVS store. Danville Police Chief Allan Shields said the incident occurred at approximately 4:53 p.m. on April 17, 2020, when police received a call from an employee of the CVS in the 600 block of San Ramon Boulevard reporting a robbery. The caller stated that two suspects entered the pharmacy, simulated a firearm, and demanded access to the narcotics safe. When employees stated they did not have access, the suspects fled.

Dublin PD had reported a similar incident two hours earlier and provided a description of the car. A deputy from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff located the vehicle on northbound I-680 near Treat Boulevard and initiated a traffic stop. Two of the suspects were identified by the victim of the Danville robbery and two were identified from the Dublin incident. All four have been booked into juvenile hall on charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and looting. Looting is a unique charge that is applied when a person enters a building to commit any theft during state of emergency.

Chief Shields said he was pleased they were able to locate and detain the suspects quickly and praised the efforts of his officers along with officers from Dublin Police Department and the deputies from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.

“This was an excellent example of how police work together to keep the community safe by capturing criminals,” said Shields. “During this ongoing crisis our officers are busy, but rest assured we will continue to aggressively arrest and seek prosecution for those wishing to do harm in our Town.”

For more information, contact Lt Jason Ingrassia at (925) 314-3700 or jingrassia@danville.ca.gov.

 

UPDATE: It was a prank – Danville resident receives fraudulent COVID-19 Sheriff’s Dep’t violation letter

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

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 UPDATE: Further investigation of this incident by the Danville Police Department has determined that the COVID-19 notice was put on the door by a member of the household as a prank.

ORIGINAL POST: The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff would like to call your attention to a phony “cease and desist” letter that appears to have originated from the Sheriff’s Office.

A Danville resident on Lakefield Ct. notified the Danville Police Department that she found the warning letter on her door this morning. The letter is titled, ‘Notice to Cease and Desist for Specific Activity.’ The letter mentioned the reason was ‘non-essential construction activity,’ a reference to activities (or businesses) that are not allowed during the Health Officer order to shelter at home because of COVID-19. The letter included a Sheriff’s Office badge and warned of civil penalties for violations.

The Sheriff’s Office has not issued any such letters. Anyone who receives one should ignore it and notify the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441.

The Danville Police Department is looking into this fake letter. Any resident who might have received a similar letter or has any information is asked to contact Sergeant S. Stapleton of Danville PD at (925) 314-3700.

 

Danville Update: Operation LOVE today and tomorrow, Farmers Market re-opens April 11

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From Town of Danville

After being suspended in March due to the Shelter in Place Order, the Danville Farmers Market will be returning this Saturday, April 11, 2020 at the Railroad Avenue Parking Lot.

The Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association (PCFMA) and the Town of Danville have worked to create guidelines under which the farmers market could return to provide residents with fresh fruits and vegetables.  These guidelines include:

  1. Limitations on the number of vendors and booths with plenty of space in between
  2. No non-essential vendors or activities. This would include entertainment, hot food, and community booths (including the Town Council booth)
  3. No self-serve or sampling allowed
  4. A hand-washing station will be supplied at the information booth
  5. Restrooms will not be operational
  6. Customers may not touch any sale item prior to purchase
  7. Producers may not touch customers’ reusable bags
  8. Unpackaged food and cash may not be handled by the same person
  9. Customers are asked to wear masks, adhere to social distancing and follow any other regulations posted at the Farmers Market

Operation LOVE Friday & Saturday

On April 10 & 11, 2020 residents can bring needed medical supplies to the Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street as part of Operation LOVE. The donation drive will run from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and residents will be able to drive up and drop items off.  A volunteer wearing safety attire will take the donation. Operation LOVE seeks to help out frontline medical workers in need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Items being sought are: 1.  Masks; 2.  Goggles; 3.  Disinfectant wipes; 4.  Gloves; 5.  Gowns; 6.  Hand Sanitizers; 7.  Brown lunch bags (nurses store their masks in them)

SRVUSD Schools Closed for Rest of the Year

As a result of the coronavirus and the ongoing shelter order, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has elected to suspend school through the remainder of the school year.  All school-related special events are cancelled. For more information on this closure, go to https://www.srvusd.net/coronavirus

Maintaining Good Social Distancing

One of the common concerns expressed to us has to do with children and teenagers not maintaining good social distancing and getting together in large groups in the parks, on the trails and in parking lots.  The shelter in place order prohibits group gatherings outside of the family unit (this includes sports practices, training, or social gatherings), and requires individuals to maintain the six-foot social distance. These guidelines are in place to help limit the spread of the coronavirus and help to flatten the curve.  Parents are asked to speak to their children about this serious issue and try to get everyone to work together to curb the spread.

Motorcyclist dies in I-680 crash in Danville Sunday night

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By CHP – Contra Costa

This evening at approximately 8:11pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a collision involving a downed motorcyclist on northbound I-680 just north of El Cerro Blvd in Danville. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the male rider (unknown identity at this time) of a red 2004 Honda CBR motorcycle was unfortunately declared deceased at the scene.

Another vehicle that may have struck the rider after he was down on the roadway remained on scene and that party was fully cooperative throughout the investigation. Additional possible witnesses also remained on scene to aid in the investigation.

A sigalert was issued shortly after the collision shutting down all lanes of I-680 northbound but the center median and number one lane opened shortly thereafter to allow traffic to continue northbound while the investigation took place. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male rider of the motorcycle.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Fatal big rig crash on I-680 in Alamo takes life of Oakland man Saturday morning

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By CHP – Contra Costa

This morning, Sat., March 7, 2020 at about 5:59 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a vehicle collision involving a big rig at I-680 southbound, just south of Stone Valley Road. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the solo male driver of the big rig (64-year-old male from Oakland) had been ejected and was declared deceased at the scene. A prior non-injury collision was in the roadway just before the Freightliner big rig crashed. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the male driver.

It appears that the big rig driver was unable to avoid the collision that was just ahead of him. He veered his big rig to the left in an attempt to avoid the previous crash, towards the concrete center divider, but subsequently crashed into the concrete barrier. It appears that the driver was not wearing his seatbelt because he was ejected onto the roadway. Unfortunately, the driver did not survive and was declared deceased at the scene. No other drivers were injured.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Fairfield woman arrested for Alamo bank robbery Tuesday

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Linked to two other robberies in Pleasant Hill and Martinez

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

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at about 11:07 AM, Valley Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the Union Bank on the 3100 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo for a reported bank robbery. A woman apparently fled with some cash after threatening a bank teller.

Deputy Sheriffs, assisted by the Danville Police Department, immediately launched an investigation. The Crime Lab responded to the location.

During the investigation, 37-year-old Chelsea Michelle Smith of Fairfield, was identified as the suspect. Sheriff’s Office Detectives determined she was in the City of Fairfield and notified the Fairfield Police Department, which detained her.

Detectives later responded to Fairfield and arrested Smith who was then booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a first degree robbery charge. She was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. Smith has since bailed out.

Smith appears to be linked to two other robbery incidents that occurred in Contra Costa yesterday. One was in Pleasant Hill and the other was in Martinez.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Navy recognizes sailor from Alamo as a Recruiter of the Year

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SAN ANTONIO – (Dec. 12, 2019) Lt. Jeffrey Underwood (center), of Alamo, Calif., assigned to Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio was recognized as the NRD’s Active Officer Recruiter of the Year during an annual awards banquet held at the Embassy Suites Landmark. Presenting the awards were (left to right) NRD Command Master Chief Francisco Valdovinos, NRD Commanding Officer Cmdr. Nicholas Gamiz, NRD Chief Recruiter Master Chief Navy Counselor Matthew Maduemesi, and NRD Executive Officer Cmdr. Michael Files. For his meritorious service, Underwood was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. NRD’s area of responsibility includes more than 34 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Central and South Texas territory. (U.S. Navy Photo by Burrell Parmer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio/Released)

Rep. DeSaulnier moves Saturday’s “Women in Leadership, Politics, Society” Town Hall to larger venue in Danville

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that due to overwhelming interest in this week’s “Women in Leadership, Politics, and Society” town hall in Danville, the location has been moved to a larger venue in order to accommodate all attendees. The town hall will now be held at Charlotte Wood Middle School on Saturday, November 2nd at 1:00 p.m.

At the town hall, Congressman DeSaulnier will be joined by a panel of local leaders who will explore the most pressing issues facing women today, like achieving gender and economic equity in the workplace and society, overcoming barriers to women’s health care, and increasing the representation of women in government.

“Women in Leadership, Politics, and Society” Town Hall
Saturday, November 2nd, 2019
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
New Location: Charlotte Wood Middle School
600 El Capitan Dr., Danville,

Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information, contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

Coroner’s Inquest Jury finds death of San Ramon man in Martinez jail was an accident

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Karthik Kandaswamy from his LinkedIn account.

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

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the November 4, 2018 death of 26-year-old Karthik Kandaswamy of San Ramon. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.

The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

Kandaswamy was arrested by San Ramon Police for battery and resisting arrest on Saturday, Nov. 3. He ingested drugs after being booked into the jail and following efforts by sheriff’s deputies and jail medical personnel, was unresponsive and died early in the morning of Nov. 4

According to his LinkedIn account, he was a 2012 graduate of Dougherty Valley High School and earned a degree in computer science and engineering in 2015 from Santa Clara University.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal incidents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.