Contra Costa Herald

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

Woman’s lifeless body found lying on sidewalk in Bay Point Sunday morning

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

This morning, March 31, 2019 at 12:29 AM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report from several callers of a suspicious circumstance regarding a woman who was found down on the ground.

Deputies arrived and located a woman lying on the sidewalk on Suisun Avenue near North Broadway Avenue in Bay Point. The unidentified woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives from the Office of the Sheriff homicide unit and Crime Lab responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 646-2441 or 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

UPDATE: 65-year-old man who died in custody at Martinez Detention Facility Wednesday night identified as attempted murder suspect from Antioch

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

On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at about 11:09 PM, a Deputy Sheriff found an inmate who was unresponsive during a room check at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF).

The Deputy immediately called for jail medical staff to respond. Life-saving measures were performed on the inmate. An ambulance and the fire department responded to MDF. The inmate was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. He was later pronounced deceased.

The identity of 65-year-old male inmate is not being released at this time.

The investigation into this death is ongoing. Per the in custody fatal incident pro-tocol, the investigation is being conducted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff.

THURSDAY, 3/7/19 9:38 PM UPDATE –

The investigation into the in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility is continuing. The investigation is being conducted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff per the in custody fatal incident protocol.

On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at about 11:09 PM, a Deputy Sheriff found an inmate who was unresponsive during a room check at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF). The Deputy immediately called for jail medical staff to respond. Life-saving measures were performed on the inmate. An ambulance and the fire department responded to MDF. The inmate was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. He was later pronounced deceased.

The 65-year-old male inmate is identified as Leartis Johnson of Antioch. He was originally booked into the MDF on May 16, 2018 by the BART police. His original charges included murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.

His death appears to be health related.

Sheriff’s Office investigates Friday homicide of teen in Bay Point

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

On Friday, February 15, 2019, at about 8:48 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to an unknown medical problem on the first block of Lancaster Circle in Bay Point. The Sheriff’s Office was later told that someone was shot at that location.

Deputies arrived finding a person on the ground. The 18-year-old man suffered from a gunshot wound. The fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is not being identified at this time.

The investigation is ongoing by Detectives from the Homicide Unit.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Sheriff’s Deputies investigate shooting death of Richmond man in El Sobrante Saturday afternoon

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

At about 12:22 PM today, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of shots fired with a man down in the intersection of Jasmine Court and Jasmine Way in El Sobrante.

The caller advised that they had heard gunshots and saw a man in the street.

Deputies arrived on scene and found a man deceased at that location. He appeared to have suffered from a gunshot wound. The victim is being identified as 52-year-old Michael Bagwell of Richmond.

The Homicide Unit of the Investigation Division responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division via Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600 during business hours. You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Sheriff investigates Wednesday morning officer involved shooting in Pacheco of Discovery Bay man

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Screenshot by ABC7 News report of the scene in Pacheco, Wednesday morning, Dec. 5, 2018.

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating an officer involved shooting per the county’s law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol.

This morning at about 9:03, two Deputy Sheriffs handled a detail on Adelaide Drive in Pacheco. They cleared the call at about 9:31 A.M. As one of the Deputies left the area, he noticed a person who had an outstanding warrant on foot in the area of Adelaide Drive and Pacheco Boulevard. The Deputy went to contact him. The person kept reaching into his waistband and ran away leading to a foot pursuit by the Deputy. The Deputy attempted to physically control the person, giving numerous verbal commands to show his hands. A struggle ensued with the suspect pulling out a firearm from his waistband. He fired one shot toward the Deputy’s head. The Deputy returned fire, shooting the suspect.

The Fire Department and an ambulance responded to the location. The male suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 41-year-old white male from Discovery Bay is not being identified at this time. The suspect had a no bail, warrant for evading and resisting arrest from another county. The suspect also had extensive prior contacts with law enforcement that include drug possession, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of dangerous weapons, felon in possession of a firearm, stolen vehicle possession, obstruction, possession of burglary tools and parole violation. He was also an active member of several gangs in Contra Costa. The Deputy was unhurt.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact 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.

See more on ABC7 News here and here.

San Pablo man arrested for possession of child pornography

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Francisco Perez. Photo by CCCSheriff

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff recently received a tip regarding a person who was allegedly in possession of child pornography. Detectives started an investigation and later obtained search warrants for the suspect’s home and computers/electronic devices.

On November 20, 2018, Detectives arrested 34-year-old Francisco Perez of San Pablo. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of possession of child pornography. Perez has since been released pending further investigation.

Perez was previously employed by a food service company that provided food to San Domenico School in San Anselmo. At that time, he used the false name of Mario Arguetta. There is no evidence to suggest any student has been a victim.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to call the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office or the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (415) 479-2311.

Two juvenile suspects arrested in Friday’s North Richmond homicide

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Victim identified as 60-year-old Castro Valley man

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

Homicide detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two male juvenile suspects in connection with a killing that took place in North Richmond on Friday, November 30, 2018.

On that day at about 6:25 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the intersection of 4th Street and Silver Avenue in North Richmond for a report of a person that had just been shot. Deputies arrived on scene and found a man in his vehicle near a home on the 300 block of Silver Avenue. He suffered from a gunshot wound. The Fire Department, an ambulance and the crime lab responded to the location. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is identified as 60-year-old Raymond Vasquez of Castro Valley.

Detectives say Vasquez apparently went to North Richmond for a drug transaction. An altercation occurred with the suspects and one of them shot Vasquez. The juveniles fled the scene. During the investigation, Detectives identified the juvenile suspects who were both arrested this afternoon in Richmond. They were booked into Juvenile Hall on charges that include murder, robbery, conspiracy and participating in a gang. The suspects are not being identified; they are 15 and 17 years old.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the 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.

County Sheriff’s Detectives arrest suspect in Thursday Crockett homicide case

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

On Thursday, November 29, 2018, at about 7:14 AM, a motorist reported to Sheriff’s Office Dispatch that there was a person lying on the roadway along Crockett Boulevard between Cummings Skyway and Pomona Avenue. Crockett Fire Department responded to the location and later pronounced the person deceased at the scene. It appeared the person suffered a gunshot wound.

Homicide detectives from the Office of the Sheriff launched an investigation into the killing. They later identified the victim as 30-year-old DeMichael James Gandy-Williams of Vacaville. During their follow-up, detectives contacted investigators at the Fairfield Police Department.

Sheriff’s Office detectives later went to a motel on the 4300 block of Central Place in Fairfield to interview a person about the killing. The person was later determined to be the suspect in the murder of Gandy-Williams. The suspect refused to come out of the motel room. At about 4:40 PM, the detectives requested assistance from the Fairfield Police Department, which sent patrol officers and the SWAT Team to the location. The suspect surrendered peacefully at about 9:26 PM and was arrested by Sheriff’s Office Detectives.

The suspect is identified as 46-year-old Toriano Collier of Vallejo/Napa. He was interviewed and later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and probation violation. He is being held without bail.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the 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.

Investigation into fatal solo vehicle collision in San Pablo after suspect flees from Deputy Sheriff Tuesday morning

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Screenshot of an ABC7 News report shows the suspect’s vehicle following the collision which resulted in the driver’s death in San Pablo, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.

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

This morning at about 12:01, a Deputy Sheriff initiated a traffic enforcement stop on a gold-colored Lexus in the area of San Pablo Dam Road and Mifflin Avenue in El Sobrante. The Lexus ran a red light and went through the intersection of San Pablo Dam Road and El Portal Drive at about 50 miles per hour.

The driver did not yield and led the Deputy on a pursuit. The suspect drove in excess of 100 miles per hour on city streets. The pursuit was terminated because of speeds. The Deputy shut off his patrol car’s emergency lights and siren.

Approximately 12 seconds later and after losing sight of the suspect vehicle, the Deputy came across the Lexus overturned in the area of San Pablo Avenue and Road 20 in San Pablo. The vehicle apparently rolled over several times before landing on its roof. The driver was unresponsive. Deputies attempted to render first-aid. The Fire Department and an ambulance also responded. The driver was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He is not being identified at this time.

The officer involved fatal incident protocol was invoked. This incident is being investigated by the District Attorney’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and San Pablo Police Department. It is not immediately known why the suspect fled from the Deputy Sheriff.

Anyone who has any information on this incident is asked to contact 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.

See more from a report by ABC7 News.

San Mateo man arrested as Sheriff’s Office shuts down illegal gaming operation in Pacheco

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Illegal casino operation in Pacheco shut down. Photos by CCC Sheriff.

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

Detectives from the Special Investigation Unit of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff launched an investigation into an alleged illegal gaming operation on the 5000 block of Pacheco Boulevard after receiving a tip from a citizen regarding a casino at that location.

Through their investigation, Detectives were able to corroborate the information provided by the citizen. Detectives later secured a search warrant for the location, which was served last night. Inside the establishment, they found 37 computer terminals, which offered slot machines, video poker, and other games of chance.

The computers were seized along with some cash. Detectives arrested 48-year-old Vinson Anies of San Mateo. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.