Sheriff | Contra Costa Herald

Autopsy determines Danville woman died of gunshot in Byron homicide, Friday

October 10, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron.

The autopsy was performed this morning on the victim, 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. (See related article).

On Friday morning, at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron.

Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. Detectives believe Courchesne was killed sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday early morning. No motive or suspects have been established yet.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Danville woman identified as victim in Friday morning Byron homicide

October 8, 2017 By Publisher 1 Comment

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville.

On Friday morning, October 6, 2017 at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron. Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Two men arrested for August murder of San Francisco woman in Byron

October 7, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Aleli Avila. Photo by CoCoSheriff

Homicide Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two suspects in the killing of 49-year-old Aleli Avila of San Francisco. Her body was found on a roadway on August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, in the area of 500 Camino Diablo Road in Byron. (See related article)

Detectives on Tuesday arrested 44-year-old Alex Estrada of Antioch. He was arrested in Pittsburg. Estrada was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. The D.A.’s Office has since formally charged him. Estrada is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Friday morning Detectives arrested 60-year-old Rodolfo Manalo of San Francisco. He was arrested in Daly City. Manalo was booked on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Detectives worked continuously on the Avila murder investigation. They interviewed numerous people, collected evidence, and followed up on all leads. They were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Estrada and Manalo.

The investigation is ongoing. The motive is still being determined. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to:tips@so.cccounty.us.

Oakley man suspected in attempted Byron homicide in custody

September 22, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Antonio Morales in custody. photo courtesy of CoCoSheriff

The suspect wanted in connection with a recent attempted homicide in Byron is now in custody. 22-year-old Antonio Morales of Oakley was arrested on Tuesday in Antioch by a U.S. Marshals Task Force that worked in conjunction with Office of the Sheriff Detectives.

On September 2, 2017, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a shooting on the 3000 block of Taylor Road in Bryon. Callers also reported an unknown suspect speeding through a parking lot with his vehicle aimed toward a group of people. The vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, reportedly struck numerous people and that several people were injured.

The suspect vehicle fled the scene. Deputies determined two people were hit by the car. They were treated and released from the hospital. Detectives later identified Morales, the driver, as the suspect.

On Wednesday Morales was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. Morales is being held in lieu of $2,310,000 bail.

Anyone with any information about 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.

Senior citizen carjacked and robbed near Pleasant Hill Wed. night

September 8, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

County Sheriff seeks suspect

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at about 7:35 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of an armed robbery in the 200 block of Tono Lane in unincorporated Pleasant Hill.

The victim, a 67-year-old man, said a suspect forced his way into his apartment, robbed him, and stole his vehicle, a Toyota Camry.

The Office of the Sheriff, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, searched extensively for the suspect and the vehicle. They were not located. Yesterday, the vehicle was recovered in San Francisco.

The suspect is described as an African-American male, in his 20’s, 6-foot tall, wearing a black colored hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and new white colored shoes. He also had a green backpack.

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.

Public’s assistance needed in investigation of Byron homicide of San Francisco woman

August 30, 2017 By Publisher 1 Comment

Aleli Avila, age 49 of San Francisco. photos courtesy of CoCoSheriff

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation into the killing of 49-year-old Aleli Avila of San Francisco.

On August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to the area of 500 Camino Diablo Road in Byron, for a report of a dead body.

Avila, also known as Lilli, was discovered in the roadway. She was a resident of San Francisco and was last seen by friends in the evening hours of August 18, 2017. She told friends she planned to travel to Contra Costa County.

Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance, in particular with the path Avila may have taken as she traveled from San Francisco to Contra Costa County.

Sheriff’s Detectives investigate Tuesday afternoon homicide of woman in Byron

August 23, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a dead body on the 500 block of Camino Diablo in Byron. Deputies arrived on scene and found a deceased adult female. Homicide Detectives and the crime lab responded to the location.

The victim, who is believed to be a San Francisco resident, is not being identified at this time as next of kin have not been notified. The investigation is ongoing. The motive in this homicide is unknown at this time. The autopsy is taking place later this morning.

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, call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Sheriff’s Deputies, Antioch Police arrest two after Highway 4 pursuit, Tuesday afternoon

August 22, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Sheriff’s Deputies pursue two suspects in a blue pickup truck eastbound on Highway 4, on Tuesday. photo by KTVU Fox 2 News.

From Concord to Martinez then ends in Antioch

At about 1:51 PM Tuesday afternoon, August 22, 2017 a Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff pulled-up behind a stolen truck on westbound Highway 4 near Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver did not yield and led Deputies on a pursuit, which went to Alhambra Avenue in Martinez and then back eastbound on Highway 4 to Antioch.

The CHP and Antioch Police Department assisted the Office of the Sheriff during the pursuit.

The suspects were in a blue pickup truck with a white-topped shell, exited at the Hillcrest Avenue offramp and drove north into a residential neighborhood. The stolen truck collided with a fence on the 900 block of 13th Street in Antioch. The driver and the passenger fled on foot and ran to the back of homes along Lake Alhambra.

A police K-9 from the Sheriff’s Office apprehended the passenger, while Antioch Police Officers arrested the driver.

The driver is identified as 22-year-old Terry Nichols. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous charges – possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. Nichols is being held in lieu of $90,000 bail.

The passenger is identified as 19-year-old Mason Leonard. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on possession of stolen property, vandalism, and resisting charges. Leonard is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

To watch video of the pursuit and arrest of at least one of the suspects on KTVU Channel 2, click here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Learn how the County Sheriff catches bad guys during Fall 2017 Citizen’s Academy

August 9, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.

Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston is pleased to announce the Office of the Sheriff Citizen’s Academy for Fall 2017.

The Citizen’s Academy provides community members with an inside look at the Office of the Sheriff and its mission, duties, responsibilities and services. Students will be exposed to a variety of important law enforcement topics, procedures and operations, such as patrol, investigations, custody, …
dispatch and search and rescue.

The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to a traditional police academy, but are not designed to train students to become peace officers. The classes are facilitated by law enforcement professionals. Classes are designed to be hands-on and interactive. Students are encouraged to ask questions, participate and interact with Office of the Sheriff staff during the classes.

The Citizen’s Academy is a unique and exciting way to learn about the Office of the Sheriff. It is an opportunity for county residents to learn how the Office of the Sheriff serves you, the community and law enforcement.

The Citizen’s Academy will take place in Martinez. It begins on September 13, 2017 and runs for six weeks. Classes meet each Wednesday with two Saturday sessions.

A limited number of spaces are available, please contact Sgt. Kevin Briggs for more information or an application at Kbrig@so.cccounty.us.

Coroner to hold August inquest into death of Pittsburg woman during Clayton police officer pursuit in May

July 25, 2017 By Publisher 1 Comment

In accordance with the Contra Costa County Chiefs’ of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of 24-year-old Maria Gaglione of Pittsburg. This incident occurred on May 13, 2017 in Contra Costa County.

The Clayton Police Department was dispatched to a local shopping center for a suspicious vehicle call. Gaglione and another person were seen leaving the shopping center in a stolen vehicle. A Clayton police officer pursued the vehicle for approximately a half-mile until it collided into a wall on the 4900 block of Myrtle Drive in Concord. The driver was transported to a local hospital. Gaglione was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The proceedings will convene on August 24, 2017 at 9 AM at the A.F. Bray Courthouse, 1020 Ward Street, Department 30, Room 3012, Martinez, California.

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 may be taken during the proceedings.