Contra Costa Herald

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

Pittsburg parolee arrested after crashing into car following multi-city pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

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

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, at about 8:10 PM, a vehicle heading southbound on Highway 680 near North Main Street passed a Deputy Sheriff at a high rate of speed. The Deputy attempted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. The car did not yield leading Deputies on a pursuit.

The suspect vehicle went into Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Pittsburg before heading into Bay Point. While fleeing eastbound on the 2100 block of Willow Pass Road, the suspect struck a vehicle pulling out of a business. The three occupants in the vehicle that was hit were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The suspect was arrested. He is identified as 27-year-old Conrad Mariscal of Pittsburg. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous charges including felony evading, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance and transporting a controlled substance. Mariscal, who was also on parole, is being held without bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office 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.

Man bound and beaten, another injured while trying to steal marijuana from illegal grow operation in Knightsen

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

On Saturday, October 5, 2019, at about 7:33 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a possible shooting in the area of 7000 Holland Tract Road in Knightsen. Deputies searched the area but were not able to find any evidence of a shooting or any gunshot victims.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a person called to say he was hiding in the bushes in a field. He stated his friend was also in the area and may have been shot. Sheriff’s Office STARR helicopter later located the two who were apparently trying to steal marijuana when they were confronted by several unknown men.

An armored SWAT vehicle was used to rescue the two men. One of the them had been bound and severely beaten by the unknown suspect(s), while the second man suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Neither of them suffered from a gunshot wound.

Deputies searched for the suspects but were not able to locate them. The marijuana grow operation was illegal and has been eradicated.

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

Sheriff’s Deputies continue searching Delta near Discovery Bay for missing boater

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol Unit continues to search for a missing boater.

On Sunday, September 22, 2019, at about 9:07 PM, Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to the area of Indian Slough and Werner Cut regarding a report of a person who apparently went into the water while his boat was being towed.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, California Highway Patrol and Pittsburg Police Department assisted the Marine Patrol Unit with the search. The missing boater was not located.

The missing boater, a 47-year-old man, is not being identified at this time. He was entered into the state’s missing persons database and local law enforcement agencies have been notified.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sheriff’s Office at (925) 646-2441 or the Marine Patrol Unit at (925) 427-8507. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Murder case from 1996 in Crockett still unsolved

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Priscilla Lewis

Candle lighting service and prayer to be held Saturday night

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

Priscilla Ann Lewis was murdered on September 24, 1996, in Crockett. The 21-year-old, who lived in Vallejo, worked as a waitress at Four Corners Pizza located at 628 2nd Avenue in Crockett. The cook at the restaurant called 9-1-1 shortly before 10:30 pm after finding Priscilla’s body in the basement bathroom. The cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation.

The men’s and women’s bathrooms were located in the basement of the Valona Square Mall that consisted of four businesses at that time.

Detectives interviewed dozens of people during this investigation and examined numerous pieces of evidence. The case remains unsolved.

A candle-lighting service and prayer in her memory will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019, 5 PM—9 PM, at 628 2nd Avenue in Crockett.

The case remains open. Anyone with information regarding Priscilla’s murder is encouraged to contact the Office of the Sheriff Homicide Unit at 925-313-2630. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Woman whose body was found in Byron on Sept. 3 identified, Sheriff’s office investigating death

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Beverly Johnson from 2016. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

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

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff continue to investigate a death that was reported on September 3, 2019.

On September 3 at about 8:56 AM, Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a call regarding a possible dead body.  Deputies located a deceased female adult near Byron Highway and Herdlyn Road in Byron.

The body was later identified as 56-year-old Beverly Johnson. An autopsy was performed. The cause of death is still being investigated.

Johnson was a transient who was said to hitch rides around California. She was found wearing a white shirt and black sweatpants. She is described as a white female, 5’, 6”, approximately 115 pounds, with brown colored hair and eyes.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff 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.

Byron: Body of woman found Tuesday morning, Sheriff’s Deputies investigating

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

Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019 at about 8:56 p.m., Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a call regarding a possible dead body. The caller reported to dispatch that the location was in the area of Byron Highway near Herdlyn Road in Byron.

Deputies arrived on scene and located a female body in the field. She was confirmed to be deceased. The woman appeared to be living at that location.

There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. The Coroner’s Division took custody of body and will confirm the identity of the woman, in addition to finding the cause of death.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Discovery Bay: Body of fisherman missing since Sunday found Tuesday, identified as Oakland man

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

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 27, 2019, the Marine Patrol Unit continued to search for a missing boater in Indian Slough. He was reported missing on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at about 2:18 AM. Two men were fishing on an inflatable raft at Indian Slough when their raft apparently had a malfunction. One of the men swam to shore, but the other person was unaccounted for.

At about 4:05 PM on Tuesday, Marine Patrol Deputies were dispatched to a floating private dock behind a residence on the 200 block of Discovery Bay Boulevard for a report of a body in the water.

Deputies arrived on scene and recovered the body. The body was turned over to the Coroner’s Division.

The Coroner’s Division later identified the recovered body as 34-year-old Efren Cruz-Rodriguez of Oakland. An autopsy was performed this morning. The cause of death is listed as drowning.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit at (925) 427-8507.

Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol searches for missing Delta boater

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

Sunday morning at about 2:18 a.m., Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to Indian Slough for a missing person detail. Two men were fishing on an inflatable raft at Indian Slough when the raft apparently had a malfunction. One of the men swam to shore, but the other person was unaccounted for.

A CHP helicopter, U.S. Coast Guard and Contra Costa Fire Protection District arrived on scene with boats and aerial support, however, the missing man was not located

Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit later arrived on scene and took over the investigation and search. Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441.

Body of Discovery Bay woman missing since Tuesday night found in water Wednesday night

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Ching “Ping” Chen. Photo from CCCSheriff.

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

At approximately 8:30 PM yesterday evening, August 21, 2019, the Office of the Sheriff’s Dive Team located the body of missing person 53-year-old Ching “Ping” Chen submerged in the water behind a residence on the 5500 block of Beaver Lane in Discovery Bay. They recovered Chen and turned her over to the Coroner’s Division.

She was last seen at her home, also on the 5500 block of Beaver Lane at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Deputies launched a search using K-9s, a drone and a Search and Rescue Team, but have not been able to locate her. The search is continuing with Deputy Sheriffs and Marine Patrol Unit.

Chen was described as an Asian female, 4′,11″, 88 pounds, brown hair with blonde highlights, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a light green tank top, green shorts and pink sandals.

The investigation is ongoing and the cause of death has yet to be determined. Anyone with any information on Chen is asked to call the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441.

County’s CASE Team arrests Rodeo man on drug, gun charges following investigation

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Drugs, cash and gun seized by the county’s CASE Team. Photo by CCCSheriff.

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

Earlier this month, the CASE Team started an investigation into a person who allegedly possessed a handgun through an illegal transfer. The CASE Team later obtained a search warrant for the suspect and his home.

On August 16, 2019, the CASE Team executed the search warrant at a residence on the 300 block of California Street in Rodeo. The suspect was detained and later arrested without incident at this home. He is identified as 32-year-old James Runkle of Rodeo. The following were recovered at his residence: 9mm semi-automatic pistol, approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, approximately three pounds of marijuana, heroin and U.S. currency.

Runkle was later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: illegal transfer of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of heroin for sales, possession of marijuana for sales, and child endangerment. Runkle remains in custody in lieu of $385,000 bail. The investigation will be forwarded to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

CASE (Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort) is a joint effort by the Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburg Police Department, and Probation Officers from the Contra Costa County Probation Department. CASE was created in November 2011 as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crimes in Contra Costa, especially those related to illegal firearms.