Contra Costa Herald

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

San Leandro man wanted for Jan. 18 attempted murder in San Ramon

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Suspect Trevor Michael Berryman and the Mercedes police say he was driving. Photos by San Ramon Police

By San Ramon Police Department

On January 18th, 2018, the San Ramon Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on Minerva Way.  Upon arrival, Officers located a vehicle with apparent bullet holes, as well as a blood trail leading away from the area.

During the subsequent investigation, Detectives learned that the driver of the vehicle had been shot earlier in the evening in San Ramon and received medical attention at a local hospital.  During the course of the investigation, the subject alleged to be responsible for the shooting was identified as a 21-year-old San Leandro resident, Trevor Michael Berryman.  Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Berryman for: 664/187PC – Attempted Murder and 182PC – Conspiracy.

The vehicle that was used during the commission of the crime is a black, four-door, 2009 Mercedes-Benz, license number: CA 6UWK467.

If anybody has any information related to this case or knows the whereabouts of Mr. Berryman and or his vehicle, please contact the San Ramon Police Department at (925) 973-2779.

In a post on Facebook on Thursday, Jan. 25 by Matthew Sherman, who claims to be the suspect’s brother, he wrote:

Some of you have seen the recent report about my brother and this terrible situation. Our family has been receiving calls, texts and messages regarding the situation with questions, so allow me to clear some things up. Yes, this is my brother and yes he is a suspect in this crime. He is still innocent until proven guilty. Our family is cooperating with San Ramon police to help in any way we can. Trevor is still missing so if you see him, please tell him to call me, his sister, his dad, any of us. We’re doing all we can to help come to a peaceful resolution. Please respect our families [sic] privacy in (t)his issue and keep judgment to yourself. The comments I’ve seen on the multiple news outlet reports is sickening. I never thought I’d be on the side of a report like this proclaiming “he’s a good kid from a good family”, however, that’s the God’s honest truth. Our family is now, and always will be, supportive of all law enforcement and we will do all we can to help get to the bottom of the truth.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Glazer, Baker to discuss pension reform at Kickoff to 2018 Bipartisan Speaker Series Monday

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What: Pension Reform – Bipartisan Speaker Series

Who: State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker

Date: Monday, January 22, 2018

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Citizen participation: Q & A after presentations

Where: San Ramon City Hall, Council Chamber, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon

State Senator Glazer

California’s growing pension liability is threatening California’s economic future, unless elected leaders show the courage to take on needed reforms, according to Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, R-Dublin, who will kick off their 2018 Bipartisan Speaker Series on the topic on Monday, January 22.

On hand will be pension expert David Crane, president of Govern for California, whose mission is to support legislators willing to tackle tough fiscal issues. Crane, also a Stanford lecturer in public policy, will speak on the economic stresses that California faces with its growing pension liabilities.

“As pension liabilities continue to soar, California faces a looming fiscal crisis that could cripple California’s ability to offer basic services,” Glazer said. “This is the sleeper issue of our time, and if we don’t act on it, we will be forced to make budgetary decisions that will create extreme hardships on families across the state.”

Assemblywoman Baker

Baker added: “Our pension system is already crowding out essential government services, and threatening our future financial health. It is our duty to put politics aside, and find a long-term solution while economic times are better. We should not kick the can down the road, and wait until economic times are worse, and the crisis deeper.”

Over the last two years, Sen. Glazer and Assemblywoman Baker have held more than a dozen bipartisan town hall meetings in an effort to break down partisan barriers to arrive at common sense solutions to California’s problems.

Walnut Creek man arrested in Danville residential burglary Wednesday morning

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Saleem Jaser from his Facebook profile.

Fast action by homeowner leads to arrest; suspect also questioned in Lafayette burglary

By Public Information Coordinator Geoff Gillette, Danville Police Department

A 27-year-old Walnut Creek man is in custody, following an early morning residential burglary in Danville. At approximately 6:00 a.m. on December 27, 2017, Danville Police were called to a home on Savona Court on a report of a subject entering a home.

Danville Police Chief Allan Shields said the homeowner called 911 immediately, then gathered her family and fled the premises. When police arrived on scene, they spotted a suspect identified as Saleem Jaser, 27, of Walnut Creek exiting the home with stolen items in hand. Jaser was taken into custody and booked in the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of burglary, robbery, trespassing, child endangerment, grand theft, possession of stolen property, and prowling. He’s being held on $485,000 bail.

Chief Shields said Jaser is also being questioned in connection with another residential burglary in Lafayette.

Shields praised the quick thinking and fast actions of the homeowner, which led to the arrest.

“This was a great result,” Shields said, “The homeowner kept their cool, acted swiftly, and as a result a criminal is now off the streets.”

For more information, contact Lt. Doug Muse at (925) 314-3700 or dmuse@danville.ca.gov

Reward increased to $5,000 in Blackhawk building vehicle collision, hit and run

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Damage from vehicle crash into building in Blackhawk on August 18, 2017. Herald file photos courtesy of CCSheriff

From CCC Sheriff Facebook page

The reward being offered in the August 18, 2017 vehicle collision into an office building in Blackhawk has doubled to $5,000. The reward, being offered by an insurance company, is for the positive identification and arrest of the suspect in this case. (See related article)

On that evening at about 10 PM, a black, newer-model Land Rover with paper plates collided into the office building located on Executive Parkway, across from Blackhawk Plaza. There was major damage to the office building.

The vehicle then fled and crashed into two parked cars on Center Way near the Chevron Station in the town of Danville.

The Land Rover was driven by a white male described as being in his early 50’s wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt. There was also a white female passenger possibly named “Gloria”. According to witnesses, the Land Rover was later towed from the corner of Indian Rice Road and Goldenrod Lane in Danville.

The male driver was last seen waving down cars on Crow Canyon Road. It is believed the occupants had just left a free concert at Blackhawk Plaza.

If anyone has any information about the vehicle (which should have sustained major damage), its occupants, or the name of the tow truck company, please contact the Blackhawk Police Department at (925) 736-1018.  You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

$25,000 reward offered for Friday burglaries in Blackhawk

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Two of the three burglary suspects are seen in this screenshot of a surveillance video at a Blackhawk home on Friday night, Nov. 3, 2017. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

B

One of the Blackhawk burglary suspects.

y Jimmy Lee, Public Information Office, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Blackhawk Homeowners Association is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the suspects involved in a string of burglaries in Blackhawk.

On Friday, November 3, 2017, at about 7:30 PM, Blackhawk Police Services received a report of a burglary on the 5400 block of Blackhawk Drive. Three suspects apparently entered a residence and took personal property and valuables. See images be-low. The suspects match the descriptions of those who committed previous burglaries.

Anyone with any information on this incident or the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Blackhawk Police Services at (925) 736-1018 or the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Teen suspects arrested in Alamo coffeehouse laptop ‘grab and run’

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By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Please note that there have been a number of these cases throughout the Bay Area. Always keep your valuables with you at all times, be aware of your surroundings, and report suspicious people to law enforcement.

On Saturday at about 2:42 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff received reports of a strong arm robbery at a coffeehouse on the 3200 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo.

The victim was sitting at a table using her laptop when three people entered the coffeehouse, took the laptop and ran. They got into a waiting vehicle in the parking lot.

Deputies broadcast the description of the suspect vehicle, which fled northbound on Danville Boulevard. An Orinda police officer located the vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 24. Four suspects were detained after the vehicle was stopped. They were positively identified as the suspects. The laptop was returned to the victim.

Two of the suspects are juveniles and were taken to Juvenile Hall. Two adults were taken to Martinez Detention Facility. 19-year-old Nequwan Taylor of Oakland and 18-year-old Isaiah Taylor (residence unknown) were booked on the following charges: robbery, burglary, and conspiracy. Each one is being held in lieu of $220,000 bail.

Teachers from San Ramon Valley, West Contra Costa named county Teachers of the Year

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2017-18 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year: Marissa Ware, San Ramon Valley USD & Paula Raj, West Contra USD. Photo by CoCo Office of Education

Close to 500 friends, family and colleagues attended the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Dinner Gala at the Concord Hilton Hotel, on Thursday evening, Sept. 28 to see Marissa Ware and Paula Raj awarded with the 2017-18 honor. Ware teaches in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Raj teaches in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. The county TOY program is produced by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).

After being named TOY by their respective Contra Costa County school districts, then passing a rigorous application screening, followed by a panel classroom observation and interview, and concluding with a speech presentation, the two winners will represent Contra Costa County as its 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year. Ware and Raj will then participate in the California State Teacher of the Year Program.

The festive evening included the 22 celebrated TOYs from throughout the county (see this year’s Class of 2017-2018), along with their families and friends, as well as numerous educators (K-college), business executives representing the sponsors, local government, and local political representatives. The El Cerrito High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Keith Johnson, provided the evening’s musical entertainment and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata served as master of ceremonies.

Each of the four finalists, including Kari Stewart of the Walnut Creek School District and Tom Trowbridge of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, were introduced by a former student, with an inspiring five-minute speech – the same speeches given at the TOY Speech Presentations in early August.

This year’s two Contra Costa County TOYs join the long list of other finalists, dating back to the 1972-1973 school year.

Vehicle crashes into Blackhawk building – public’s assistance sought in identifying driver

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Damage from vehicle crash into building in Blackhawk on August 18, 2017. photos courtesy of CCSheriff

On Friday, August 18, 2017 at around 10 PM, a black, newer-model Land Rover with paper plates was involved in a hit and run collision into an office building in the Blackhawk Executive Center, directly across from the Blackhawk Plaza. The vehicle fled and then crashed into two parked cars on Center Way near the Chevron Station in the Town of Danville. There was major damage to the office building.

The Land Rover was driven by a white male described as being in his early 50’s wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt. There was also a white female passenger possibly named “Gloria”. According to witnesses, the Land Rover was later towed from the corner of Indian Rice Road and Goldenrod Lane in Danville.

The male driver was last seen waving down cars on Crow Canyon Road.

If anyone has any information about the vehicle (which should have sustained major damage), its occupants, or the name of the tow truck company, please contact the Blackhawk Police Department at (925) 736-1018. You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Gov. Brown signs Assemblywoman Baker’s In-Home Support Services bill

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Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) announced Governor Brown has signed her Assembly Bill 1021.  This measure will modernize the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) application process to help the elderly and disabled apply for in-home services in the most modern, efficient methods, the same way they could apply for CalFresh benefits.

The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program provides services for low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or 65 years old or older. Approximately 464,000 Californians currently receive these services, which include personal care services (toileting, bathing, and grooming), domestic and related services (meal preparation, housecleaning), paramedical services, and protective supervision. IHSS is an alternative to much more expensive and disruptive out-of-home placement, such as assisted living or nursing facilities. The program is funded by state, county, and federal dollars.

Currently, most counties allow customers to apply only by phone for IHSS applications. AB 1021 would provide that an IHSS applicant can apply for IHSS benefits with the same process that he or she uses to apply for CalFresh benefits. County human services agencies shall accept applications for benefits by telephone, by fax, in person, or by email, or, if the county is capable of accepting online applications for benefits, by other electronic means.

“IHSS programs help the blind, disabled, and elderly in our community live more independently, and at much less expense than nursing homes and assisted living,” said Assemblywoman Baker. “This bipartisan bill makes the program more efficient and accessible, and that’s good government.”

AB 1021 received unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly prior to receiving the Governor’s signature.

Baker represents the 16th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.