Contra Costa Herald

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

Two Oakley boys arrested for grazing man’s head with gunshot

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During attempted marijuana buy that goes bad

Following high-speed pursuit to Orinda by Sheriff’s Deputies

By Oakley Police Department

At 1:08 AM on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Oakley officers were dispatched to the area of East Cypress Road and Frank Hengel Way for a report of a possible kidnapping and a shooting. Our officers arrived on scene and found multiple people at the corner of Rubens Way and East Cypress Road. (Many of the people involved in this incident were juveniles so names will not be used.)

Our officers found a male victim with a grazing wound to his head which was determined to be a gunshot wound. Officers began the investigation and determined a group of three Oakley residents (two young adults, a male and a female, and one juvenile female) picked up two other males, who are also juveniles from Oakley. Collectively, the five people began hanging out at Cypress Grove Park in the vehicle of one of the females. The two male juveniles, who were picked up, became angered when the other three would not take them to buy marijuana. At one point the male who had taken part in picking up the two other males got out of the vehicle.

The two males who had been picked up then forced the females to drive away at gunpoint. The female victim driver drove down Rubens Way where she refused to drive any further. She and the other female victim were then forced out of the vehicle by the two male suspects at gunpoint. The two male suspects then drove the vehicle back towards East Cypress Road. The male victim, who had previously exited the vehicle, saw everything that was going on and ran towards the flight path of the fleeing suspects and caught up to them at the intersection of Frank Hengel and East Cypress. One of the male suspects shot at the male victim through the windshield of the female victim’s vehicle several times and struck the male victim in the head with the grazing shot.

The two suspects then fled the scene. We were assisted by deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and one of those deputies saw the victim’s vehicle driving westbound on Highway 4 at a high rate of speed. Deputy Sheriffs initiated a pursuit of the victim vehicle, which took them all the way out to Orinda. The pursuit terminated when the pursued vehicle became disabled on westbound highway 24, in Orinda. Both male suspects were taken into custody and transported back to the Oakley Police Department. It was determined both suspects had warrants for their arrest, in addition to all of the crimes they were just involved in. Both suspects were booked into the Juvenile Hall for those two warrants and:

  • Attempted homicide
  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • Kidnapping
  • Carjacking

The male who had been shot was transported to a local hospital and treated and released.

If anybody has information regarding this shooting, please call the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060 and reference case 26-95.

We thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Orinda Police Department for their vital assistance in this investigation.

 

Investigation into in-custody death of 62-year-old homeless Rodeo man at Martinez Detention Facility

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Arrested 22 times since 2015; second in-custody death in the same Contra Costa County jail this month

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

The county-wide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol has been invoked for an in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility this afternoon.

At about 5:08 PM on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, a deputy sheriff found an inmate unresponsive in his cell on B module. He immediately requested Contra Costa Health jail medical staff respond, as deputies started life-saving measures. The fire department and an ambulance also responded. The inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate is identified as 62-year-old Victor Jose Faria, an unhoused person. He was arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office on January 15, 2026, for trespassing and felony probation violation and booked into MDF.

Per the protocol, this is being investigated by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office.

According to localcrimenews.com, Faria had a history of 21 other arrests by a variety of agencies dating back to 2015, including battery with serious bodily injury, and multiple times for arson, threats of violence, trespassing, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

This is the second in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility this month. On Jan. 8, 61-year-old Kirk Richardson of Concord, arrested for the murders of his parents on Christmas Eve, was found unconscious inside his cell by a deputy sheriff, after Contra Costa Health medical staff responded to a report of head injuries that an inmate apparently sustained as a result of him purposely banging his head while housed in a cell.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Barricaded suspect arrested after self-inflicted gunshot wound during Oakley standoff

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The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Oakley Police on the scene of the standoff in Oakley Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Photo courtesy of ContraCosta.news.

54-year-old Raymond E. Smith fired several shots at deputy sheriff; previously arrested in 2013 for assault; multiple agency effort

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is continuing to investigate an incident where a suspect shot at a deputy sheriff this morning in Oakley.

On Monday, January 12, 2026, at about 10:50 AM, a deputy sheriff was dispatched to a call regarding a violation of a restraining order. A deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop after locating the suspect vehicle on the 4300 block of Gold Run Drive in Oakley. Almost immediately after the stop, the driver came out of the vehicle and fired several shots at the deputy. The deputy was not struck and was able to return gunfire.

The suspect fled on foot in the neighborhood. During the search for the suspect, the Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oakley Police Department, California Highway Patrol, East Bay Regional Park Police, Brentwood Police Department, and Antioch Police Department. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiation Team, Drone Unit, and a police K-9 also responded. The suspect was found barricaded at his home on the 2700 block of Placer Drive in Oakley.

After several hours of attempting to communicate with the suspect, the SWAT team armored vehicle approached the residence. A gunshot was heard. The suspect apparently tried to take his own life. Medical personnel, who were on scene, immediately implemented life-saving measures. The suspect was taken to a local hospital.

The man is identified as 54-year-old Raymond E. Smith of Oakley, who was arrested, and will be booked on charges that include attempted murder of a peace officer,

According to localcrimenews.com, Smith was also arrested in December 2013 by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm and in May 2024 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for Warrants or Holds Only.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man sentenced to over 5 years for $80,000 retail theft spree across 11 Nor Cal counties

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Shawn Naputi faced 56 felony theft charges for more than 80 crimes from October 2023 to May 2025; arrested 16 times since 2021 for violent crimes, multiple counts of theft

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Sonoma County Office of the District Attorney, on May 8, 2024, Shawn Andre Naputi walked into the Friedman’s Home Improvement store on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa, filled a trash can with more than $2,400 worth of Friedman’s merchandise, and headed for the exit. A sharp-eyed Friedman’s employee recognized Mr. Naputi and his vehicle from prior Friedman’s thefts and called the police. When employees started observing Mr. Naputi inside the store and Sonoma County Sheriff deputies arrived outside, Mr. Naputi abandoned the trashcan full of merchandise and walked out of the store. Sheriff Deputies spoke to the Friedman’s employees and connected Mr. Naputi to seven (7) other Friedman’s thefts, dating back to January 2024.

Once the case was referred to the District Attorney’s Office, it was forwarded to the Organized Retail Theft Unit. The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded grant funding from the State of California’s Organized Retail Theft Grant Program, administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), to combat organized retail theft. The grant funds are used by the office to establish a dedicated prosecutor and investigator focused on ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable by identifying gaps in the system and improving cooperation with retail operators and local law enforcement.

When the District Attorney’s Organized Retail Theft Unit started looking into prior Sonoma County thefts and speaking to counterparts in nearby counties, only then did the true breadth of Mr. Naputi’s criminal conduct become clear. Between October 6, 2023, and May 22, 2025, Mr. Naputi committed more than eighty (80) separate instances of theft from Bay Area retailers. The combined loss to these retailers, including Best Buy, Boot Barn, REI, Friedman’s Home Improvement, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohls, Lowes, and The Home Depot, was more than $80,000. The crimes occurred in Contra Costa County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Sacramento County, Solano County, Placer County, San Francisco County, Yolo County, Marin County, and Sonoma County.

Without naming Naputi, the Vallejo Police Department reported that on May 21, 2025, a repeat thief was arrested after burglarizing a business. Officers assigned to the Vallejo Police Department Patrol Division responded to a call regarding a suspect wanted in connection with a burglary on the 1300 block of Tennessee Street.

The property owner reported having surveillance footage from May 20 showing a male suspect breaking into the business, ransacking the location, and leaving with multiple items, including professionally graded equipment. The suspect also caused approximately $500 in damage to the business.

The following morning, the business owner was alerted by her surveillance system that the thief had returned to the property. She drove to the location and confronted him. The thief was still in possession of her stolen equipment bag. She took her bag back and the thief fled on foot.

Later that day, the thief was observed loitering near a business on the 400 block of Broadway Street. Officers quickly detained the thief without incident. A records check revealed he was on felony probation out of Solano County for vehicle theft. He also had two outstanding arrest warrants related to stealing a dog, stealing another vehicle and initiating a pursuit in Vallejo.

A probation search revealed he had a glass-shattering tool commonly used to commit burglaries. After being Mirandized, the suspect admitted to the burglary, stating he needed to get out of the sun.

The thief was subsequently booked into the Solano County Jail on multiple charges, including burglary, probation violations and outstanding warrants.

About the sentencing, Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated, “This case exemplifies the very reason that Proposition 36 was passed by the voters, to stop prolific thieves that repeatedly victimize our communities’ businesses which previously, under Proposition 47, provided little accountability and few consequences for retail theft.” The Naputi case “further highlights the impact of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Organized Retail Theft Unit whose primary mission is to change expectations of criminal defendants, the public, and the criminal justice system by ensuring that there will be significant consequences if these crimes are committed in Sonoma County.”

Taking advantage of legislation passed under the recent Proposition 36 and designed to combat organized retail theft, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office assumed jurisdiction from the affected counties to prosecute all crimes under one criminal complaint. With jurisdictional approval in hand, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office filed an amended felony complaint charging Mr. Naputi with fifty-six (56) felony theft charges capturing his crime spree between October 2023 and May 2025.

On November 12, 2025, Defendant Naputi plead no-contest to six (6) felony theft charges in exchange for a prison term of 5 years and 4 months. Two years of that term will be served in actual custody, with the balance on Mandatory Supervision. On January 7, 2026, Defendant was sentenced to that term and agreed to several Organized Retail Theft Restraining Orders under the new Penal Code section 490.8. Defendant Naputi also agreed to $83,093.64 in restitution.

According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, he is 43 years old, was booked on May 28, 2025, and is being held in the Main Adult Detention Facility in Santa Rosa.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 200-pound Naputi is Hispanic and has been arrested 16 times since 2021 by multiple agencies including Richmond PD, El Cerrito PD, Emeryville PD, Vallejo PD, San Rafael PD, Daly City PD, Sunnyvale PD, Contra Costa CHP, and the Contra Costa County and Solano County Sheriff’s Departments. He was charged with crimes including Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Assault with Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Harm, Inflicting Corporal Injury on a Spouse/Cohabitant, Organized Retail Theft, Grand Theft, Burglary, Petty Theft, Obtaining property by theft where value exceeds $950, Shoplifting Not to Exceed $950, Taking a Vehicle without Owner’s Consent, Receiving/Etc. Known Stolen Property Over $200, Vandalism, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Narcotic Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In-custody death of Concord man charged with murdering parents New Year’s Eve under investigation

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Sustained self-inflicted head injuries at Martinez Detention Facility

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office are currently jointly investigating an in-custody death that occurred at the Martinez Detention Facility.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at about 5:38 AM, Contra Costa Health medical staff at MDF responded to a housing module for a report of head injuries that an inmate apparently sustained as a result of him purposely banging his head while housed in a cell. Minutes later, the fire department and an ambulance were called to transport the inmate to a local hospital.

At about 8:30 AM, the inmate was medically cleared at the hospital. He was uncooperative with deputy sheriffs while being transported back to MDF. While at MDF he was given medication by medical staff.

At about 5:48 PM, a deputy sheriff found the inmate unconscious inside his cell.

Jail medical staff responded while deputies performed CPR. The fire department and an ambulance also responded and later declared the inmate deceased. The countywide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked.

The inmate is identified as 61-year-old Kirk Richardson of Concord. On December 31, 2025, Richardson was arrested by the Concord Police Department for murder of his parents. He was booked into MDF on two counts of murder and had been held since that time.

As previously reported, on Dec. 31, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a family disturbance in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals, a 90-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman, who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.  Richards on was at the residence was detained and subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

He was arraigned on Wednesday and had another court date set for Thursday afternoon. The five-foot, ten-inch tall, 200-pound Richardson was being held on $4 million bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man killed during family dispute at home near Concord

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By Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a homicide that occurred on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 8:04 a.m. at a home on the 5100 block Laurel Drive in unincorporated Concord.

Valley Station deputy sheriffs responded to a welfare check and found a resident of the home deceased on the property. Detectives believe the incident began as a domestic issue when a family dispute escalated into an altercation. Three others who suffered from injuries were transported to a local hospital.

The victim is identified as 38-year-old Antonio Valdez of Antioch. A person in the home who suffered injuries remains in the hospital.

The Investigation Division Homicide Unit and Crime Lab responded to the scene. Detectives believe the incident began as a domestic issue when a family dispute escalated into an altercation. There are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the public.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

4 arrested for illegal drug manufacturing, distribution operation in Pittsburg

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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.

 

Woman arrested for stabbing man to death in Bay Point home

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Believed to be her husband; 57-year-old Libelyn Utt held on no bail

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

Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, at about 11:26, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a medical-police call at a residence on Solano Court in Bay Point.

Deputies entered the home finding a man bleeding from stab wounds. They provided first aid until the fire department and an ambulance arrived on scene. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The suspect, believed to be the victim’s wife, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. She is identified as 57-year-old Libelyn Taculod Utt of Bay Point (born 8/7/68). She was booked on a murder charge and is being held without bail.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, she is five-feet and one-inch tall, 115-pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, and is Asian-Pacific Islander.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit are continuing the investigation. There are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the public. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

72-year-old driver in March fatal collision in Danville arrested

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Andrew Chao held on $50,000 bail

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and Jenn Starnes, PIO, Town of Danville

DANVILLE, CA: On March 1, 2025, at about 1:15 p.m., Danville police officers responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Sycamore Valley Road and Camino Ramon. When officers arrived, they discovered a minivan and a truck involved in a collision, with the truck overturned. A female passenger in the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the minivan sustained minor injuries.

According to a report by DanvilleSanRamon.com, the victim was later identified as 57-year-old Sandy Hall of San Leandro.

Detectives from the Danville Police Department launched an investigation into the collision. Last month, detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office which filed felony vehicular manslaughter charges against the driver of the minivan. An arrest warrant was issued for the driver, who was arrested Friday afternoon,  August 15, 2025, by Danville police officers.

He is identified as 72-year-old Andrew Chao of Danville (born 12/8/1952). He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for manslaughter. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot tall, 160-pound Chao has a court date scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 1:30 p.m. in Martinez Superior Court Dept. 5.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood man arrested during Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force operation

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Ty Leighton was arrested for child sex crimes on July 29, 2025. Photos: Brentwood PD

Led by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department with assist from Brentwood, Orinda, Martinez PD’s; police seek additional victims

Was on felony probation with felony warrant for burglary, had 10 previous arrests dating to 2017

By Brentwood Police Department

As part of a week-long operation led by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force hosted by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and supported by the Brentwood Police Department and 13 additional agencies significant progress was made in protecting children from online exploitation.

During the operation, Detectives from the Brentwood Police Department, Orinda Police Department, and Martinez Police Department arrested 29-year-old Ty Oliver Leighton (born 9/26/1995) on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, for arranging to meet a 13-year-old minor with the intent to engage in lewd and lascivious acts, among other related charges.

Leighton, who is currently on felony probation, also had a felony warrant for a commercial burglary that occurred in the city of Brentwood.

Aerial photo of Ty Leighton’s arrest.

We are releasing Leighton’s photo in an effort to identify any additional victims. If you have any information or believe you may have had contact with him, please contact the Brentwood Police Department at (925) 809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.

We would also like to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and all the partnering agencies that contributed to this operation.

According to localcrimenews.com, Leighton has a  history of arrests dating back to 2017 and is charged with attempting lewd acts with a child, arranging a meeting with a child for lewd purposes, attempting to contact a minor with intent to commit an offense and revocation of probation.

His previous arrests by multiple agencies including Napa PD, Napa County and San Joaquin Sheriff’s Departments, and Antioch PD for crimes including inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, receiving  known stolen property over $200, addict in possession of firearm possession of ammunition, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, vandalism and trespassing upon private property after notice by peace officer that property is not open to the particular person or failure to leave said property upon request.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet-nine-inch tall, 150-pound Leighton is Hispanic, being held in West County Detention Facility on no bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 8, 2025, at 8:30 AM in the Martinez Superior Court Department 5.