Contra Costa Herald

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

Sheriff’s Office investigates Saturday murder of teen in Bay Point

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

On Saturday, October 16, 2021, at about 5:36 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the 3300 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point for a report of a shooting.

Deputies arrived on scene and found a man who suffered from a gunshot wound lying on the ground in front of a store.

Fire and ambulance responded and rendered medical aid to the victim who was later declared deceased at the scene. He is identified as 18-year-old Manuel Pineda.

Another person who was injured in the shooting was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were said to be non-life threatening.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit responded along with the Crime Lab.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office 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.

 

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office seeks Bay Point assault suspects

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Assault suspects in car 10-12-21. Photo by CCCSheriff

12-year-old girl shot by BB gun

By Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is looking for four suspects involved in assault with a deadly weapon incidents in Bay Point.

On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at about 3:20 PM, a 12-year-old girl walking home from school on the 3300 block of Willow Pass Road at Marin Avenue was shot at with a BB gun as a vehicle drove passed her. There were two other similar incidents later that day in the same area. The victims all suffered injuries.

The same suspects appear to be involved in each case. They were in a silver-colored 4-door, newer Kia Optima.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the vehicle or suspects is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2667 or 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Assault suspects’ car 10-12-21 Photo by CCCSheriff

Bay Point man arrested for murder of woman following domestic disturbance early Saturday

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

At about 12:03 Saturday morning, Oct. 2, 2021, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Island View Drive in Bay Point.

Deputies arrived, finding a man and woman in the street. The man fled on foot but was apprehended by deputies.

The woman sustained injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Early this afternoon, she was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The man is identified as 47-year-old Richard Ortiz of Bay Point.

He is currently booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: murder, domestic violence, and resisting an executive officer.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office 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.

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury determines 2019 in-custody death of Clayton man was an accident

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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 August 18, 2019 death of 35-year-old Benito Stefano Carrasco of Clayton. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident. (See related article)

Carrasco was arrested by the Clayton Police Department and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) on August 15, 2019. He was being held on charges that include burglary, grand theft, possession of stolen goods, possession of burglary tools, shoplifting, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, at about 11:20 PM, a Deputy Sheriff escorted a nurse to Carrasco’s cell. They discovered him unresponsive on his bed.

Medical aid was immediately rendered. Additional medical staff at the jail responded and continued life saving measures until the fire department arrived. Carrasco was later pronounced deceased at the scene and the in-custody death protocol was invoked.

The Coroner’s Jury reached the 10-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal incidents involving peace 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.

Pittsburg man arrested for Bay Point homicide Saturday

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

On Saturday, August 28, 2021, at about 10:42 PM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a call of shots fired at the intersection of Willow Pass Road and Bella Vista Avenue in Bay Point. Upon arrival, deputies located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

Deputies immediately began providing life-saving measures. The fire department and an ambulance also responded. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He is identified as 24-year-old Pablo Bretado of Pittsburg.

A suspect was quickly identified by deputies and a description was provided to area law enforcement agencies. The Concord Police Department located the suspect who led police in a pursuit back into Bay Point. The suspect crashed and fled on foot. Concord PD officers, assisted by the California Highway Patrol, found the suspect and took him into custody.

He is identified 28-year-old Antonino Solis of Pittsburg. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for murder and possession of an assault weapon.

The Homicide Unit of the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division continues to investigate this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office 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.

Three shot, one dead in rural Brentwood Tuesday

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

On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at about 4:20 PM, Delta Station deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 10200 block of Brentwood Boulevard in unincorporated Brentwood.

Upon arrival, deputies located two gunshot victims in front of the residence. Both subjects were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Another subject with gunshot wounds was also located on the property and was pronounced deceased.

None of the subjects are being identified at this time. Homicide detectives and crime lab personnel are on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Sheriff’s Office 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) 846-3592to leave an anonymous voice message.

Contra Costa Crime Lab awarded federal DNA grant, will help prevent crime case backlog

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Photos: CCCSO

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

The Forensic Services Division of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff was awarded $376,101 in grant funding from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program.

The grant will allow for the hiring of a forensic analyst and the purchase of new instrumentation and equipment. This will increase the capacity to process more DNA samples, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and to prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples, like those collected at crime scenes.

“This grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance will increase our capacity and help us better serve law enforcement agencies and crime victims,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “This will increase our efficiency of testing and enable us to provide quicker results to law enforcement and prosecutors on DNA cases in Contra Costa County.”

The Forensic Services Division hopes to hire a new forensic analyst by the end of the year.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a  division of the U.S. Department of Justice, helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system: Its grants, training and technical assistance, and policy development services provide state, local, and tribal governments with the cutting edge tools and best practices they need to reduce violent and drug-related crime, support law enforcement, and combat victimization.

Sheriff’s Office receives new scanner to help stop contraband smuggling

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Photos: CCCSO

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Custody Services Bureau has acquired the Tek84 Intercept Full Body Scanner. The Intercept will be used at intake at the Martinez Detention Facility as arrestees are processed and booked into the facility.

According to Tek84, the Intercept “detects both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including weapons, drugs, cell phones and other contraband. Screens from below the feet to above the head reveal items under the clothing and within the body.” In addition, the Intercept allows staff to maintain a distance of 6 feet of social distancing space between them and arrestees while conducting contraband searches.

“This technology is about safety and security and is one of many steps we are taking to improve our facilities,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “This is a win-win. It will help prevent contraband from entering our jails, thus making it safer for inmates and staff.”

Funding for the Intercept, which cost $152,000, comes from federal funds (CARES ACT).

 

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury to hear cases in deaths of El Sobrante, Concord men May 28            

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

In accordance with the Contra Costa County Chiefs of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of 30-year-old Ezekiel McCoy of El Sobrante. This incident occurred on November 17, 2020 in Contra Costa County. The attempted murder suspect was killed while a county jail inmate during a fight while waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. (See related article)

That same day there will also be an inquest into the death 31-year-old Kentreal Irving of Concord. This incident occurred on October 7, 2020 in Contra Costa County. Irving jumped to his death off Hwy 242 overpass while fleeing Sheriff’s Deputies. (See related article)

Both proceedings will convene on May 28, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Department 23, Room 200, Martinez, California. The inquest for McCoy will take place in the morning, while the one for Irving will happen in the afternoon.

The purpose of the inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is to present the facts of the incident to a jury for their deliberation and finding on the manner of death.

The inquest is open to the public and members of the media are invited to attend. However, no photographs or video and audio recordings may be taken during the proceedings.

The inquest will be held in-person. Face coverings are mandatory at the proceedings and state mandated social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Sheriff: National Prescription Drug TAKE BACK Saturday, April 24

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On Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

“This is a great way to get rid of unused prescription drugs in our homes,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “These drugs could fall into the wrong hands and harm family members and friends. This is an opportunity for everyone to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.”

Needles and sharps cannot be accepted; only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites. COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

-Office of the Sheriff Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA. (Field Operations Building)

-Office of the Sheriff Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond, CA. (West County Detention Facility)

-Office of the Sheriff Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo, CA.

-Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA.

-Lafayette Police Department, 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA.

-Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA.

Check with your local police department for a location in your city.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back event, go to the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov