Contra Costa Herald

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

Safety tips for Boating Season

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The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Marine Unit Officers assist boaters in the Delta. Photos: CCCSO

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

Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of boating season on the Delta. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is urging all boaters to stay safe while enjoying the water.

“Many boating accidents can be avoided by planning ahead,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “80% of boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket. Fol-lowing the law and these tips could help you stay safe on the water.”

California Boater Card Required – Anyone who operates a motorized vessel must carry a California Boater Card. Learn more at californiaboatercard.com.

Engine Cut-off Switch – Last year, California law required the use of an engine cut-off switch—also known as a kill switch or lanyard—on ves-sels under 26 feet. This safety device must be worn by the operator when at the helm and operating above 5 mph or dis-placement speeds. This law is designed to prevent runaway boat incidents in the event the operator is thrown from the helm, adding another layer of safety to California waterways.

Life Jackets Save Lives – All vessels, including stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. Life jackets must be the correct size for the intended wearer and children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times aboard a vessel, unless in a fully enclosed cabin. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a life jacket at all times on the water.

Boating Under the Influence (B.U.I.) – Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and dangerous. Boaters arrested for B.U.I. face similar consequences to D.U.I. drivers, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail.

Safe Navigation Practices – Always operate at safe speeds, especially in narrow channels or areas with limited visibility. Stay to the right side of the waterway. In crossing situations, the vessel to the right has the right of way.

Ski Flags and Observers – While engaged in towing activities, an observer who holds the ski flag, at the minimum age of 12 years old, must display the ski flag when required: a downed skier in the water, a skier in the water preparing to ski, a line is in the water extended from the vessel, and a ski or similar equipment is in the water in the vicinity of the vessel.

Blue Light Law – Boaters must slow to a no-wake speed when approaching/being approached by any law enforcement or emergency vessel displaying an illuminated blue light, whether the patrol vessel is moving or stationary.

Emergency Preparedness – Carry an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, warm clothing, a cell phone, VHF radio, and navigational charts. Before heading out, file a float plan. Learn how to create a float plan at: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/floating-plan.php

Carbon Monoxide Awareness – Be cautious of carbon monoxide buildup, especially when sitting on the swim platform or near the boat’s transom while the engine is running.

Youth Operation Rules – Children ages 12–15 may operate boats with motors over 15 horse-power or sailboats over 30 feet only if directly supervised by an adult (18+) who holds a California Boater Card.

Throwables Required – Boats 16 feet and longer must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved throwable flotation device, such as a life ring or square cushion, which must be easily accessible.

Additional Resources – The ABC’s of Boating safety handbook is available at most boating retailers. Visit dbw.ca.gov for more boating laws, safety tips, and California Boater Card information. For questions or non-emergency assistance, contact the Marine Services Unit at (925) 427-8507.

In emergencies, Dial 911 or call Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (925) 646-2441.

Hayward man convicted of attempted murder in Oakley shooting, faces extradition for 2024 New Zealand murder

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Fourth arrest since 2018; also arrested by U.S. Marshalls, alleged to be hit man for organized crime 

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On May 18, 2026, a Contra Costa County jury convicted a Hayward man of attempted murder with premeditation, shooting at an occupied vehicle, reckless evasion, and being a felon in possession of a firearm — along with firearm enhancements for personally using a firearm.

The convicted man, 26-year-old Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi, (born 12/31/1999) attacked a victim in Oakley on August 27, 2025. Evidence at trial showed that Tangi drove from Alameda County to Oakley and waited approximately three hours outside the victim’s home. When the victim arrived, Tangi approached the vehicle and fired 17 shots at close range. The victim survived. Tangi then fled the scene and disposed of the firearm. Minutes later, a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull Tangi over, but Tangi refused to yield, leading officers on an 11-mile high-speed chase before law enforcement apprehended him.

The District Attorney’s Community Violence Reduction Unit prosecuted the case. District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This conviction reflects the outstanding work of our entire team, and we are grateful to everyone who helped bring justice for the victim in this case.”

Tangi’s violent conduct extends beyond the United States. Authorities in New Zealand currently want him for the murder of a courier in Auckland.

His sentencing hearing for the Contra Costa County offenses is scheduled for June 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4 of the Richard E. Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg.

Case No. 04-25-01632 | The People of the State of California v. Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi

According to localcrimenews.com, Tangi is Asian Pacific Islander and has been previously arrested three other times in 2018 and 2020 for burglary, robbery and use of a deadly and/or dangerous weapon.

Arrested by U.S. Marshalls for New Zealand Murder as Hit Man

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, he is six-foot, one-inches tall, 225 pounds, and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility. Tangi was also arrested on Sept. 5, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls for the New Zealand case.

According to the Kaniva Tonga news source in New Zealand, Tonga Independent and Helm.news, Tangi is accused of being sent from California to New Zealand in 2024 to commit murder, leading to the death of an Auckland courier and he now, faces extradition. “Police say a United States national (Tangi) alleged to have acted as a contracted ‘hitman’ in the killing of Auckland courier driver Tuipulotu Kokohu Vi.”

“New Zealand Police alleged the 26‑year‑old flew into the country in August 2024, carried out the fatal shooting, and then fled back to the US before investigators were able to identify him. New Zealand police say he is also the subject of an extradition request relating to the Auckland killing.”

Tangi “is accused of traveling from California to New Zealand in 2024 at the direction of a U.S.-based organized crime group to carry out a murder. He is charged in New Zealand with the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Auckland courier Tuipulotu Vi, who was found dead in his van; police believe Vi was not the intended target. After the incident, Tangi returned to the U.S., where he was arrested in August 2025 following a separate shooting attempt. Extradition to New Zealand is pending, with three others now charged in connection with the case. The investigation remains active, and suppression orders have been lifted, allowing further details to be reported.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office launches new Community Transparency Portal

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Photo: CCCSO

By Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

At the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, we are dedicated to serving our diverse community with integrity, professionalism and accountability. Our mission – to work in partnership with the community to safeguard lives, rights and property through innovative and ethical law enforcement – guides everything we do.

We uphold core values of honor, courage, commitment, leadership and teamwork, and strive to conduct ourselves with the highest ethical standards in every interaction.

Our Commitment to the Community

To earn and maintain your trust, we aim to:

Provide accessible data about our policies, performance and community outcomes;

Engage openly with the public through accessible reports and dashboards;

Report on activities that affect community safety and wellbeing; and

Continuously evaluate and improve our practice based on community feedback and evidence-based standards.

We believe transparency is essential to public trust and to strengthening the partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and communities we proudly serve.

This portal is part of that commitment – your resource for understanding who we are, what we do and how we measure our performance.

The Community Transparency Portal:

-Provides accessible data about our policies, performance, and community outcomes.

-Engages openly with the public through accessible reports and dashboards.

-Reports on activities that affect community safety and wellbeing.

-Continuously evaluates and improves our practices based on community feedback and evidence-based standards.

The Community Transparency Portal is your resource for understanding who we are, what we do, and how we measure our performance.

https://transparencyportal.so.cccounty.us/

Suspicious death in Richmond determined to be solo-vehicle fatal collision

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The victim’s pick-up truck was pulled out of the bay near Canal Blvd. in Richmond. Photo: Richmond PD

Pick-up truck driven into, extracted from bay

SFPD and Oakland PD Marine Units, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, volunteer California Recovery Divers assist

By Richmond Police Department

At approximately 11:17 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, Richmond Police Department officers responded to reports of a possible deceased person in the water near the 1300 block of Canal Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located a deceased individual. Richmond Police Department detectives responded to the scene and investigators have determined that the incident previously being investigated as a suspicious death on Saturday is now believed to be a solo-vehicle fatal collision.

During the investigation, detectives utilized the department’s Flock Safety camera system and located video footage showing what appeared to be a vehicle entering the water near Canal Blvd. at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Based on this information, the Richmond Police Department requested assistance from the San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit, the Oakland Police Department Marine Unit, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

The San Francisco and Oakland Police Departments’ Marine Units with diver help locate the submerged vehicle. Photo: Richmond PD

All three agencies responded and using specialized sonar equipment and marine resources, responding personnel were able to locate a submerged vehicle. Dive teams, including members of the volunteer California Recovery Divers, then assisted in recovering the vehicle and confirmed there were no additional occupants inside.

At this time, the investigation indicates this was a solo-vehicle, fatal collision, and there is no evidence of foul play.

The Richmond Police Department extends its sincere condolences to the driver’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

We also want to thank our allied agencies for their swift response and for providing the specialized marine and dive resources that were critical in locating and recovering the vehicle.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Richmond Police Department Dispatch at (510) 233-1214.

Contra Costa Coroner’s Division seeks public’s help identifying woman killed by Amtrak train in Port Costa

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The unidentified woman had a broken heart tattoo on her inner left wrist. Photo: CCC Sheriff-Coroner’s Division

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division is requesting the public’s assistance in trying to identify an unknown person.

On February 16, 2026, a woman was struck by a train in Port Costa. The incident was investigated by Amtrak Police and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. The person was pronounced deceased at the scene. The manner of death was later determined to be a suicide.

The Coroner’s Division took custody of the body and, despite multiple efforts, has not been able to identify the person who did not have any identification.

She is described as:  White, adult female with brown colored hair and hazel eyes. She was 5’4”, and 171 pounds. She has a small broken heart tattoo on the inner left wrist (see photo). She was wearing a black colored pullover top, black and grey plaid pants and red/white Nike athletic shoes.

Anyone with any information on the identity of the person is asked to contact the Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850.

In-custody death of Oakley man at Contra Costa jail under investigation

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Charged with attempted murder of Sheriff’s Deputy; was held on $1.385 million bail

Fatal incident protocol  invoked

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

The county-wide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol has been invoked for an in-custody death.

On May 4, 2026, deputy sheriffs found an inmate who attempted suicide in his cell at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was transported to a local hospital where he has remained since. The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital today at about 11:34 AM.

He is identified as 54-year-old Raymond Smith of Oakley. Smith was arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on January 13, 2026, on the following charges: attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, illegal possession of a firearm (prohibited person), felon in possession of a firearm, and criminal contempt of court.

As previously reported by the Herald, Smith was charged with attempted murder of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy following a shootout during a traffic stop on Jan. 12, 2026. The deputy was not struck. The suspect fled on foot in the Oakley neighborhood and Smith was found barricaded at his home.

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.

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

DA charges Butte County man with murder in Lafayette homicide

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Suspect used hatchet to kill 34-year-old Christopher Jaber

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Butte County man with the murder of a Lafayette resident.

35-year-old David Swank Prince is scheduled to be arraigned in court on March 25th for the murder of 34-year-old Christopher Jaber. Prince unlawfully and with malice aforethought took the life of Jaber with the use of a hatchet.

On March 21, 2026, around 11:30 am, a relative of Christopher Jaber called 911 to report a suspicious individual with a hatchet in the backyard area of their property. The caller told dispatch that the individual was breaking into an Accessory Dwelling Unit where Jaber resided. When officers from the Lafayette Police Department arrived at the scene, they located Prince a short distance from the ADU, where he was detained and subsequently arrested. (See related article)

The murder appears to be a targeted act. The investigation into the motive for the murder and whether Prince and Jaber were acquainted is ongoing.

Prince is set to be in court at 1:30 pm in Martinez on Wednesday, where he could enter a plea to the murder charge and enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-26-01746 | The People of the State of California v. David Swank Prince

Suspect arrested in death of 34-year-old Lafayette man

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35-year-old David Prince held on $1M bail, has history of 23 previous arrests including 11 last year

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office & Lafayette Police Department

On Saturday morning, March 21, 2026, at 11:36, Lafayette police officers were dispatched to a suspicious subject at a residence on Westminster Place in Lafayette. Officers arrived and entered the home finding a man who was deceased. A person walking nearby was detained for further investigation in connection with this incident and was later arrested.

He is identified as 35-year-old David Swank Prince (born 12-18-1990) of Chico, California.

Detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office homicide unit and the crime lab responded to the scene.

Saturday evening, Prince was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of murder. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

The victim in the homicide is identified as 34-year-old Christopher Jaber of Lafayette, CA.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 170-pound Prince is Hispanic.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of 23 previous arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies for crimes including battery, vandalism, shoplifting, petty theft, DUI, resisting arrest, reckless driving, evasion with wanton disregard for safety, public intoxication, driving with a suspended license and evasion of public transit fare payment. In addition, Prince has lived in a variety of cities including Walnut Creek, last year, Pleasant Hill in 2023, as well as Berkeley, San Francisco, Oroville and Modesto.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. 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.

85-year-old man arrested for Bay Point homicide

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Held on $1,030,000 bail

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

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office detectives investigating a homicide that occurred in Bay Point on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, arrested the suspect early Friday afternoon, March 13th. He is identified as 85-year-old Rogelio Barajas Martinez of Bay Point (born 6/13/1940).

He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of murder. He is being held in lieu of $1,030,000 bail. Detectives say this incident is domestic related. The investigation is ongoing.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, six-inch tall, 180-pound Martinez has a court appearance scheduled for Monday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. in Martinez Superior Court Dept. 05.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office investigates stabbing death of woman in Bay Point

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Man also found stabbed at scene

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

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred yesterday in Bay Point.

On Wed., March 11, 2026, at about 4:27 PM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a home on the 100 block of Riverside Place in Bay Point for a medical call with a request for police response.

Deputies arrived and found a couple, a man and woman, suffering from stab wounds. The man was taken to a local hospital; the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene. She is not being identified at this time.

The Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case. 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.