Contra Costa Herald

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

$450,000 in stolen retail items recovered in CHP operation

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Crates and bags of stolen items recovered during the operation. Photos: CHP – Golden Gate

ID more suspects believed to be involved in illicit fencing operation; San Ramon Police assist

By Sergeant Andrew Barcley, CHP – Golden Gate

OAKLAND, Calif. – Investigators assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division Organized Retail Crime Taskforce (ORCTF) recovered over $450,000 in stolen merchandise from an Oakland residence following a month-long investigation.

In July 2024, ORCTF investigators launched an investigation into a criminal network involved in a string of retail thefts targeting various retailers throughout the Bay Area.  Through surveillance operations, investigators identified suspects believed to be involved in an illicit fencing operation based in Oakland.  With the information gathered, investigators obtained search warrants for a home and multiple vehicles located in Oakland.

On Thursday, August 15, ORCTF investigators, along with San Ramon Police Department personnel, successfully executed the warrants at the Oakland residence.  During the search of the home and the two vehicles, investigators located a large amount of stolen merchandise, which was seized and transported to a facility for documenting.  During the search, investigators learned that the suspect was currently leasing a storage facility in Oakland, leading to the issuance of an additional search warrant.  The storage facility was searched, and additional stolen merchandise was located inside.  Retail industry partners involved in the operation valued the recovered merchandise, consisting mainly of items found at drug stores, from all locations at over $450,000.

Investigators arrested 35-year-old Claudia Cruz of Oakland for her involvement in the fencing operation.  Cruz was booked into Alameda County Jail on charges of organized retail crime, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

On Aug. 23, San Ramon Police Chief Denton Carlson wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “I am very proud of the investigative work the San Ramon Police Organized Retail Theft Suppression Team put into this operation in coordination with CHP-Golden Gate. They have formed an outstanding partnership!”

According to localcrimenews.com, a woman whose full name is Claudia Ivet Cruz Barragan, was arrested the same day for the same crimes, is Hispanic, five-feet inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. However, the website shows her age as 40. According to an August 2023 CBS News Bay Area report, a 31-year-old woman named Daniela Cruz Barragan was arrested with another woman for theft of $85,000 in stolen retail goods. The CHP PIO was asked to determine if she is related to Claudia Cruz and if Claudia’s correct age is 35 or 40. He was also asked if some of the stolen items were from retailers in San Ramon. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood vice mayor responds to rumors surrounding son’s arrest

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The CCC Sheriff’s Office Incident Summary for July 13, 2024, shows the response to the call regarding the alleged assault by Zachary Taylor on Sunday night at 10:40 p.m. Source: CCC Sheriff’s Offic

“I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.” – Susannah Meyer

Zachary Meyer in a photo posted on his mother’s personal Facebook page on Dec. 12, 2020.

By Allen D. Payton

Brentwood Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer took to social media on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, to respond to rumors surrounding the arrest of her son on Saturday and dispel accusations that she received special treatment. The now candidate for mayor in the November election wrote on her official Facebook page, “I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.”

According to localcrimenews.com, Zachary Taylor was arrested for “assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury”. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Incident Summary Report for July 13, 2024, it occurred at 10:40 PM in the 3700 block of Porter Circle on Bethel Island inside a mobile home park and is listed as assault with a deadly weapon.

Sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee later confirmed that information when he shared, “On Saturday, July 13, 2024, at about 10:40 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a battery at a residence on the 3700 block of Porter Circle in Bethel Island. Deputies contacted a person who had been physically assaulted. The victim was transported to a local hospital. The suspect was later taken into custody after returning to the scene. He is identified as 30-year-old Zachary Meyer of Bethel Island. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an assault with a deadly weapon charge. He was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail but has since bailed out.”

Also, according to Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Zachary Meyer was booked early Monday morning, July 14 and was released on bond early Monday afternoon.

Susannah Meyer in a photo on her official Facebook page on Aug. 8, 2023, and the post on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2024, about her son’s arrest.

In her post the councilwoman wrote, “I am aware of the recent social media post regarding my son’s arrest on July 13, 2024. I want to address this situation directly and transparently.

First and foremost, I do not condone violence in any form. When my husband and I first learned of the incident, my son informed us that he was turning himself in to the authorities. We worked with him to do that.

It is important to clarify that my son has a developmental delay and a diagnosis of mental health issues. This context is crucial in understanding the complexities surrounding the incident.

There has been a significant amount of misinformation circulating, and I am limited in what I can say due to the ongoing investigation and on the advice of my attorney. Therefore, I am unable to provide detailed comments at this time.

I also want to assure the community that I have upheld my oath of office with integrity. I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.

I appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging time. Thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy.

Sincerely,

Susannah Meyer”

Efforts to reach the councilwoman for additional details about her son were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

CHP announces first arrest using state-of-the-art smart Flock cameras in Bay Area

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The Flock Safety camera system technology was used to ID the shooting suspect’s vehicle. He was stopped, arrested and his gun, ammunition and drugs were confiscated. Photos (left & center) by Flock Safety, (right) by CHP

Bay Bridge road-rage shooting suspect from San Pablo identified, arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies

6’7″ felon charged with attempted murder, multiple gun crimes

By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, CHP Office of Media Relations

A freeway shooting suspect is in custody and a firearm has been recovered after a road rage incident on the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) early Monday morning, July 1, 2024. The suspect was identified through one of the newly installed high-tech “Flock” cameras, which provide law enforcement with real-time information and alerts to identify and locate vehicles associated with criminal activity. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the purchase of the cameras as part of the state’s ongoing public safety investments and work in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.

“Through new state-of-the-art technology and the deployment of officers, California is doubling down in our efforts to keep our communities safe. I thank the California Highway Patrol and allied agencies for their persistent work to secure accountability in this case and help ensure that Californians are safe and secure,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The CHP is excited to have this new technology located on freeways in the Bay Area,” said Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our investigators will utilize this technology to identify and apprehend those who engage in criminal activity and put California’s motorists at risk.”

On Monday, July 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s San Francisco Area office were dispatched to a call of a freeway shooting on westbound Interstate-80, just west of the Treasure Island on-ramp. Officers were advised, the victim in the incident was not struck by the bullet; however, she received lacerations from flying glass inside the vehicle. The victim was able to safely exit the freeway, into the city of San Francisco, where he was met by officers and paramedics.

Detectives from the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to the scene and spoke with the victim, who mentioned the shooting took place following a merging conflict on the Treasure Island on ramp. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained, allowing detectives to begin a review of Flock camera data. Detectives quickly identified the suspect vehicle and obtained a license plate number, which allowed them to issue a “Be on the lookout” (BOLO) broadcast to Bay Area law enforcement agencies.

At approximately 10:20 a.m., Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle traveling on 7th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Richmond and conducted an enforcement stop. The driver, 42-year-old Adrian Martinez Emerson of San Pablo, Calif., was detained and turned over to SIU detectives for questioning. A search of Emerson’s 2016 Honda Accord resulted in the recovery of a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting.

Emerson was subsequently booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, seven-inch, 170-pound Emerson is Black and was previously arrested by Richmond Police in 2014 on felony parole violation while he was an Antioch resident. No additional information could be located from an online search about Emerson’s previous conviction.

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, he is being held on no bail and is also include discharge of a firearm at an inhabited enclosure or vehicle, possession of firearm with prior conviction and by a felon, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, possession of ammunition, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm. His court date has not yet been set.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CHP distributes over $25 million in grants to fight impaired driving

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Photo: CHP

Marijuana tax proceeds given to law enforcement agencies, crime labs & nonprofits

Three Contra Costa agencies benefit

By Synthia Ramirez, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced today more than $25 million in grant funding to 102 California law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to help address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The grants are the result of Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which tasked the CHP with administering grants for education, prevention, and enforcement programs to help communities combat impaired driving. Money is also available to crime laboratories conducting forensic toxicology testing. Funding for the grants comes from a tax on the sale of cannabis and cannabis products sold in California.

“The substantial increase in the amount of grant funds being dispersed this year to even more recipients will help make California’s roadways safer for all who use them,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The funds will be allocated to enhance traffic safety by educating the public about the dangers of impaired driving, conducting enforcement operations to remove impaired drivers from the roads, and advancing research on this critical issue.”

Eighty-two recipients of law enforcement grants will use funds to address impaired driving within their communities. In addition to traditional impaired driving enforcement, funds will also be used for drug recognition evaluator training to enhance their respective agency’s ability to detect drug-impaired drivers. Additionally, funding will allow for public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.

Listed below are the law enforcement grant recipients for state fiscal year 2024-2025, which begins July 1:

  1. Angels Camp Police
  2. Arroyo Grande Police Department
  3. Auburn Police Department
  4. Azusa Police Department
  5. Baldwin Park Police Department
  6. Barstow Police Department
  7. Bell Gardens Police Department
  8. Berkeley Police Department
  9. Brawley Police Department
  10. Brea Police Department
  11. Burbank Police Department
  12. Calexico Police Department
  13. Calistoga Police Department
  14. Chula Vista Police Department
  15. Citrus Heights Police Department
  16. City of Corona Police Department
  17. City of El Monte Police Department
  18. City of Fullerton Police Department
  19. City of Glendale Police Department
  20. City of Huron Police Department
  21. City of Lodi Police Department
  22. City of Montebello Police Department
  23. City of Palo Alto Police Department
  24. City of Visalia Police Department
  25. Claremont Police Department
  26. Covina Police Department
  27. Danville Police Department
  28. Dixon Police Department
  29. Dublin Police Services
  30. El Cajon Police Department
  31. El Centro Police Department
  32. El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
  33. Emeryville Police Department
  34. Folsom Police Department
  35. Galt Police Department
  36. Garden Grove Police Department
  37. Gilroy Police Department
  38. Greenfield Police Department
  39. Grover Beach Police Department
  40. Hanford Police Department
  41. Hayward Police Department
  42. Huntington Beach Police Department
  43. Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
  44. Irvine Police Department
  45. La Habra Police Department
  46. La Mesa Police Department
  47. La Palma Police Department
  48. Lakeport Police Department
  49. Lincoln Police Department
  50. Los Angeles Police Department
  51. Manteca Police Department
  52. Marysville Police Department
  53. Menifee Police Department
  54. Modoc County Sheriff’s Office
  55. Montebello School Police
  56. Monterey Park Police Department
  57. Morgan Hill Police Department
  58. Napa Police Department
  59. Oceanside Police Department
  60. Oakland Police Department
  61. Ontario Police Department
  62. Orange Police Department
  63. Oxnard Police Department
  64. Pacifica Police Department
  65. Petaluma Police Department
  66. Pismo Beach Police Department
  67. Pittsburg Police Department
  68. Riverside Police Department
  69. Rocklin Police Department
  70. San Bruno Police Department
  71. San Diego Police Department
  72. San Fernando Police Department
  73. San Gabriel Police Department
  74. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
  75. Shasta County Sheriff’s Office
  76. Sierra Madre Police Department
  77. Simi Valley Police Department
  78. Soledad Police Department
  79. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
  80. Sutter County Sheriff’s Office
  81. Union City Police Department
  82. Wheatland Police Department

Nine recipients of education grants will use funds to teach local communities about impaired driving laws, while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Below are the education grant recipients for state fiscal year 2024-2025:

  1. Amador County Sheriff’s Office
  2. Chino Police Department
  3. City of Lancaster
  4. City of Long Beach
  5. County of Solano-District Attorney’s Office
  6. Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
  7. Sacramento County District Attorney Laboratory of Forensic Services
  8. Solano County Office of Education
  9. Tulare County Office of Education

Eight recipients of two-year toxicology crime laboratory grants will use funds to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic science evidence and to purchase and/or upgrade laboratory equipment to improve testing capabilities.

Below are the toxicology crime laboratory grant recipients for state fiscal years 2024-2026:

  1. Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff, Forensic Services Division
  2. Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
  3. Oakland Police Department Crime Lab
  4. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, City and County of San Francisco
  5. Orange County (CA) Crime Laboratory
  6. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
  7. Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office
  8. Ventura County Forensic Services Bureau

Three recipients of two-year toxicology medical examiners/coroner’s office grants will use funds to help improve and advance the data collection in cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Below is the medical examiners/coroner’s office grant recipient for state fiscal year 2024-2026:

  1. Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
  2. Orange County Sheriff’s Department Coroner’s Division
  3. San Diego Medical Examiner Department

The application process for future grant funding is expected to open again in early 2025. Additional information is available on the CHP website, at CHP’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide safety, service, and security.

Coroner’s Inquest Jury determines 2023 deaths of woman, one of her twin sons during Hercules Police chase was “at the hands of another”

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Ryniqueka Dowell, Jeffrey, Jamari & Jamani Humble. (Source: GoFundMe) and suspect Ralph White, III. Source: KTVU

Vallejo man faces charges for murder, five other felonies for fatal hit-and-run crash in stolen car

GoFundMe account for surviving son and his father still receiving donations

By Allen D. Payton

In a press release from Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Office of the Contra Costa Sheriff-Coroner on Friday, May 31, 2024, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury had reached a finding in the March 23, 2023 death of 31-year-old Ryniqueka Dowell and March 27, 2023 death of 6-year-old Jamari Humble. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

As previously reported, on March 23, 2023, at about 7:27 pm, the Hercules Police Department received information from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office regarding a stolen 2021 Mazda SUV, possibly heading toward the City of Hercules on eastbound I-80. A Hercules Police Officer saw the Mazda exit I-80 eastbound onto northbound Willow Avenue. As the Officer caught up to the Mazda, the driver immediately began to accelerate. The Officer initiated a short pursuit of the SUV, before it collided into a 2017 Nissan passenger vehicle in the area of Parker Avenue and 4th Street in the City of Rodeo. The driver of the Mazda immediately got out of the vehicle and ran northbound onto Parker Ave. A perimeter was established, and the suspect was found, at a nearby liquor store. He was placed under arrest, and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The driver of the Nissan passenger vehicle was a 31-year-old, mother of twin boys, age six, later identified as Dowell.

On March 28, 2023, the Contra Costa DA’s office filed murder charges as part of a six-count felony complaint against then-20-year-old Ralph Ellsworth White, III of Vallejo (born Feb. 11, 2003).

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, 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, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

According to a GoFundMe account set up to support the surviving twin son, Jamani Humble, and his father, Jeffrey, Jamani “suffered a broken leg along with other injuries” and Jamari was initially in the hospital “in critical condition…without any brain activity” but later succumbed to his injuries. As of Saturday, June 1, 2024, $38,395 had been raised toward the $50,000 goal.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office the six-foot, 190-pound White is being held on no bail in the Martinez Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2024.

 

Fugitive task force arrests Antioch man for violating federal supervised release, failure to appear on gun, drug charges

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U.S. Marshals and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies on the scene of the arrest on Almondwood Drive in Antioch on Wed., March 27, 2024. Photo by Allen D. Payton

Wanted by Pittsburg Police, has history of arrests

By Allen D. Payton

On Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service with the help of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a wanted fugitive, Timothy Demetrius Jeffrey of Antioch, on Almondwood Drive in Antioch for escaping federal custody. According to a resident who lives in the neighborhood officers could be heard yelling through a loudspeaker, “You are surrounded. Come out with your hands up.”

According to Abigail Meyer of the United States Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs, “The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) arrested Timothy Jeffrey, 43, on both his federal Supervised Release Violation warrant and Pittsburg PD Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, the original charges for both were distribution of dangerous drugs. In addition, his FTA included charges for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of large capacity magazine, and resisting arrest.

The PSWRFTF requested assistance from local law enforcement and a Contra Costa Sheriff’s K9 officer assisted with the rear perimeter.”

According to localcrimenews.com, Jeffrey was arrested by Pittsburg Police on April 25, 2023 for the aforementioned charges. He had previously been arrested on Feb. 29, 2016, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for federal (21 U.S. Code Section 846) attempt  and conspiracy charges. Jeffrey was also arrested in Jan. 2010 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for vehicle theft.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound suspect who is Black, (born 4/24/80) is being held in Santa Rita County Jail in Dublin on no bail.

One man arrested at drug lab in Brentwood, couple also sought

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Max Hayworth and Danielle Kumerow in a Facebook post on May 24, 2022. Source: Kumerow’s Facebook page. (No photo could be located of the suspect arrested)

Maxwell Michael Hayworth, Danielle Kumerow are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, child endangerment.

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

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at about 9:52AM, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on the 800 block of Shasta Daisy Drive in Brentwood.

During the search, they found a DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) manufacturing laboratory. While processing the lab, a team from the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program found a possible explosive compound stored in three containers.

The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the location. Officers suspected the compound was TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), which is a highly volatile explosive compound. It was determined that two of the containers could be moved to another location for detonation, while one needed to be detonated in place. Nearby residents were evacuated.

The three containers were later detonated without incident. One person was arrested: 29-year-old Jonathan Thomas McCarthy (born 2/18/95) of either Oakley or San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an outstanding arrest warrant for parolee at large. The Sheriff’s Office is still looking for two suspects:

-44-year-old Maxwell Michael Hayworth of Brentwood

-42-year-old Danielle Kumerow of Brentwood

Both are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, and child endangerment.

The six-foot, two-inch, 230-pound McCarthy is currently at the West County Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. at an out of county court. According to recentlybooked.com, he was also arrested in Napa County on Sept. 19, 2023 for a probation violation.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hayworth was arrested by the CCC Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 10, 2024, for multiple weapons drug charges. He was arrested again on March 13, 2024, by Martinez Police for drug possession and burglary. But he bonded out of custody the next day.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident or the location of the suspects 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.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad, Brentwood Police Department, FBI, JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force), Con Fire, AMR, and Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

 

 

Contra Costa Coroner’s Jury determines Richmond man shot by police last June died of suicide

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Richmond Police officer shoots suspect on June 28, 2023. Video screenshot

After he raised a pistol at officers

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office

Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the June 28, 2023, shooting death of 66-year-old Kevin James McDonald of Richmond by police. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is suicide.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

As previously reported, On June 28, 2023, officers from the Richmond Police Department were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island of Richmond.

Officers approached a closed bedroom door, which they opened while they announced themselves as being “Richmond Police”. As officers opened the door, they located McDonald seated on a bed, armed with an AR-15-style pistol. McDonald raised his weapon toward officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Officers provided medical aid to McDonald, who was pronounced deceased, by responding medical personnel. He had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

A subsequent search of the residence resulted in detectives locating a total of 53 firearms, including 23 pistols, 8 revolvers, 20 rifles, and two shotguns. A live hand grenade along with a large quantity of ammunition was seized. Materials to manufacture illegal firearms were also seized.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, 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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff negotiates plea agreement to gun charge, filing false police report, preparing false documents

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Matthew Buckley charged with 6 felonies for actions while serving search warrant in Antioch; former Officer of the Year will serve 3 years & 8 months in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea against 42-year-old Matthew Allen Buckley, of Pinole, for offenses that occurred when he was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

Buckley was charged in February 2023 with six felonies and one misdemeanor related to offenses that occurred in 2020 and 2022. In a negotiated disposition, Buckley pled no contest to three felonies, including possession of an illegal assault weapon, filing a false police report, and preparing false documentary evidence [PC30605, PC118.1, and PC134]. Buckley will receive a three years and eight months prison sentence, which he can serve on mandatory supervised release if he successfully completes a six-month drug rehab program.

The case began in September 2020 when Buckley, assigned to the Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort (C.A.S.E), participated in a task force executing a search warrant in Antioch. During the operation, Deputy Buckley seized two illegal AR-15s, phones, laptops, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.

After seizing the AR 15s, Deputy Buckley authored a police report where he falsely claimed to have booked the firearms into evidence. Instead of booking the illegal weapons, Buckley separated the upper sections from the lower sections of the firearm. He returned possession of the upper sections of the firearms to the original owner, but never returned the lower sections of the firearms.

As part of this investigation the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department discovered that Deputy Buckley created false documents and signed for a judge without his consent on multiple search warrant returns for unrelated cases.

In August 2022 as the investigation was concluding, Deputies with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office searched Buckley’s residence and found the lower sections of the AR-15s as well as a small amount of methamphetamine.

According to his Linkedin profile, Buckley worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, including his final three years and 10 months as a detective. Previously, he had worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Field Training Officer and then a Station Supervisor for ProTransport-1 ambulance service in Pleasant Hill. He started his work life as a Network Security Engineer for Bank of American in Concord.

In 2019, he was named the department’s Officer of the Year.

Pursuant to California Government Code, Matthew Buckley will be legally ineligible to serve as a police officer. Moreover, convicted of felony offenses, Buckley is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Central Contra Costa serial burglary suspect in custody

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Merced County man being held on $250,000 bail

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Gilbert Ramirez. Photo: Merced County Sheriff’s Department

In the past few months, several homes in Central Contra Costa County were burglarized resulting in losses in excess of $300,000 of property that included jewelry, purses, and weapons.

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff investigating the burglaries identified a suspect. They obtained an arrest warrant for him, and search warrants for his residence and vehicles associated with the burglaries. Other law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area are also determining if the same suspect is connected to burglaries in their jurisdictions.

On January 25, 2024, as part of the continuing investigation, detectives found the suspect driving north on I-5 near Corning, California. They requested the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office to attempt a traffic stop on the vehicle, which did not yield and led them on a pursuit. The California Highway Patrol assisted during the pursuit. The vehicle eventually crashed, and the suspect fled on foot. He was subsequently located and arrested.

The suspect is identified as 26-year-old Gilberto Ramirez of Merced, CA. He is currently being held in Merced County jail on charges that include burglary, felony evasion and weapons violations. A juvenile who was in the vehicle was also taken into custody. She is not being identified.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the 5-foot, 7-inch, 130 lb. Ramirez, who also uses the last name Cruz, is being held on $250,000 bail and was also charged with hit-and-run. The weapons violations include two counts of felon or addict in possession of a firearm and prohibited person owning or possessing ammunition.

Search warrants were served at various locations where property believed to be taken from the Contra Costa County burglaries was found. Detectives are identifying the property and working to return it to their rightful owners. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff would like to thank the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office and CHP for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.

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

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.