Contra Costa Herald

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

San Pablo PD Graveyard Shift: Crystals & Pistols

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Photos: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

Friday night, Sept. 18, 2026, your San Pablo Police Department graveyard officers kept busy.

One traffic stop led to the arrest of a prohibited felon who was carrying a concealed firearm equipped with a conversion device that made the firearm capable of fully automatic fire.

A second traffic stop resulted in the discovery of an individual possessing methamphetamine.

Two stops. Two dangerous discoveries.

The name of the game that night was “Crystals & Pistols.”

Our officers remain vigilant around the clock, working to keep our streets safe. Great work by the graveyard shift!

Richmond Mayoral Candidate Debate Sept. 21

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It’s Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez vs. Ahmad Anderson in the November run-off

By Allen D. Payton

The League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County is holding a Richmond Mayoral Candidate Debate “A Community Conversation” between Richmond Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez and Ahmad Anderson on Monday, Sept. 21st in the Richmond Council Chambers.

Jiminez placed first and Anderson placed second, beating incumbent Mayor Martinez in June. Source: Contra Costa Elections

Richmond’s current mayor, Eduardo Martinez, placed third in the June 2nd primary behind Jimenez, the District 6 councilmember, who placed first, and Anderson who placed second. They top two are now competing in the November General Election run-off.

The Richmond City Council elections were also held in June, and all three incumbents were re-elected, Cesar Zepeda who run unopposed in District 2, Doria Robinson in District 3 with 68.94% of the vote, and Soheila Bana in District 4 with 67.74% of the vote. Jiminez is not up for re-election this year and if elected mayor will have to step down from her seat and either her replacement will be appointed by the other council members or another, special election will be held to fill it for the remaining two years of the term.

District 6 Richmond Councilwoman Claudia Jiminez. Photo source: campaign

About Jiminez

According to her bio on the City’s website, Jiminez, whose campaign claims she will be, “The Next Progressive Mayor of Richmond,” is “a trained architect who has worked to design and build affordable housing and watershed management projects in Colombia. She received her Master’s degree in Environmental Planning from U.C. Berkeley. She lives in District 6 of Richmond with her husband and two children.”

She says she’s “Rooted in Colombia, Growing in Richmond” and claims, “More than one-third of Richmond residents were born in another country. Claudia Jimenéz is an immigrant who has chosen to make Richmond her home.”

According to her LinkedIn Profile, since June 2015 Jiminez has worked as a Consultant to The California Endowment, “a private, statewide foundation dedicated to improving health and racial equity across California,” to “Strengthen the infrastructure to support women of color in political leadership positions.”

Her endorsements include a variety of organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America East Bay and another Democratic group, two fellow Richmond council members, the Richmond Firefighters, the Contra Costa Labor Council and other unions.

Ahmad Anderson. Photo source: campaign

About Anderson

According to his campaign website, Anderson, who offers “A Vision for One Richmond,” says he’s “Rooted in Richmond” because he was born and raised in the city. Anderson is a longtime community volunteer for over 40 years and city committee member, and former vice president of the Richmond NAACP, whose father and mother both served as mayor of Richmond. On his Facebook page Anderson shows two other campaign slogans, including one on a button that reads, “A Voice for You” and another on a shirt which reads, “For a Safer Richmond.” His campaign also has an Instagram account.

Anderson “has worked as a Human Resources Director at an international company that employs 380,000 people,” the National Pacifica Foundation, and is also a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and attended Columbia University’s Teachers College from 1996-2003.

According to his LinkedIn profile, since Aug. 2020, Anderson has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Designing Effective Organizations. Previously, he worked as Vice President for Human Resources at Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay from Dec. 2010 to Nov. 2013; as Senior Human Resources Business Partner for the U.S. Western Region of DHL Express from May 2014 to Sept. 2018; as Senior Human Resources Business Partner in the Northern California Operations Sales Division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits from Nov. 2018 to Jul 2020; as Director, People & Culture for SFJAZZ from June 2021 to Aug. 2022; and as Director, People & Culture for Gardens of Golden Gate Park from Aug. 2022 until Apr. 2026.

Anderson has endorsements from most of the Democratic leaders and organizations covering the county, including the California Democratic Party, Contra Costa Democratic Party and the West County Democratic Club, as well as the other three Richmond council members, three former Richmond mayors (not including his parents), DA Diana Becton, plus, the Richmond Police Officers, Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council and other unions.

Neither candidate offers their phone number or email address to contact them, only online forms on their websites, and Jiminez’s city council email address, Claudia_Jimenez@ci.richmond.ca.us.

The debate can also be viewed on KCRT TV on Comcast cable Channel 28.

Female suspect ID’d in attempted murder of Richmond cop

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The suspect’s two firearms confiscated by police and multiple bullet holes in the door and wall outside the home where the shooting occurred. Photos: Richmond PD

Fired over 30 rounds, charged with four felonies including murder, held on $950k bail; officer recovering

By The Richmond Police Department

The Richmond Police Department is providing additional information regarding the recent attempted murder of one of our police officers during a call for service involving our partners with A3 (Contra Costa County Behavior Health Crisis Response Team).

As previously reported, at approximately 6:41 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, Contra Costa Health’s A3 Crisis Response was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the call, A3 requested that Richmond Police officers accompany them to the location.

During this extremely dangerous incident, the suspect, 39-year-old Jasmine Nicole Robinson (born
6/19/1987), fired in excess of 30 rounds from a Romarm/Cugir Draco-C rifle. Our officer was struck by gunfire shortly after arriving at the scene. We are incredibly fortunate that our officer survived and is continuing to recover from their injuries.

We are also grateful that our A3 partners, neighboring residents, and other responding personnel were not injured as numerous rounds were fired from the residence, which included striking a Richmond Police patrol vehicle.

The significant threat posed by the suspect required a large-scale tactical response, including armored rescue vehicles and specialized resources from allied law enforcement agencies. These resources were critical in allowing personnel to safely respond to an exceptionally dangerous and unpredictable situation and ultimately take the suspect into custody.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our allied law enforcement partners who responded without hesitation to assist the Richmond Police Department. Their professionalism, teamwork, and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way were instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

We are thankful that despite the extraordinary level of gunfire and danger presented during this incident, our officer survived, our A3 partners were unharmed, and no members of our community were injured.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, six-inch tall, 150-pound Robinson is non-Hispanic, also listed as Black, and is being held in the West Re-Entry Treatment and Housing facility in Richmond on $950,000 bail. She is charged with four felonies including murder, assault committed with a high-risk firearm, kidnapping and maliciously and willfully firing a gun at an inhabited dwelling house, occupied building, occupied motor vehicle, occupied aircraft, inhabited housecar, or inhabited camper.

According to MyLife, Robinson currently lives in Vallejo and previously lived in Richmond at two different addresses on the street where last week’s incident occurred, and one other.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond cop wounded, armed barricaded suspect arrested

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Following mental health check, multi-agency effort

20-year veteran of the department

Second cop shot in county Thursday

By Lt. Donald Patchin, Richmond Police Department

RICHMOND, Calif. — At approximately 6:41 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, Contra Costa Health’s A3 Crisis Response was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the call, A3 requested that Richmond Police officers accompany them to the location.

When the first officer arrived at the residence, the officer was struck by gunfire. The officer was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment and is in stable condition. The officer is expected to survive.

The suspect barricaded inside the residence and continued firing numerous rounds indiscriminately from within the home. Several rounds struck an RPD Patrol vehicle and neighboring residences, but fortunately, no residents or additional personnel were injured.

Screenshot of El Cerrito Police lockdown order on CWS showing the area near the incident. Source: John Gioia

On social media and the County Sheriff’s Community Warning System, Richmond Police issued a shelter-in-place order and El Cerrito Police issued a lockdown order for the nearby neighborhood. The public was informed, “As of 8:00 pm, there is recently law enforcement activity in Richmond near the El Cerrito border. People in the area near Canyon Trail Park and Key Boulevard are advised to LOCK DOWN IN THE NEAREST PLACE POSSIBLE. Go inside, lock all windows and doors. Stay off the phone and do not call 911 unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency. To report suspicious activity, contact El Cerrito Police. Stay indoors until you receive further instructions.” The order was later lifted.

In addition, District 1 Supervisor John Gioia posted on his Facebook page, “Since 8 pm tonight (Thursday) there has been a lockdown ordered for residents in Richmond near the Grocery Outlet due to law enforcement activity. Stay indoors and lock windows and doors if you live in the affected area shown in red below. Police were seen entering the Grocery Outlet. Don’t be curious and attempt to go outdoors. Be safe inside and police will release more info when they deem it appropriate.”

The Richmond Police Department SWAT Team responded with assistance from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, East Bay Regional Park District Police Department, and El Cerrito Police Department. The RPD Crisis Negotiations Team responded and established contact with the suspect in an attempt to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution. Chemical agents were also deployed in an effort to gain the suspect’s compliance.

The suspect eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. According to ABC7 News, the suspect was a woman who “was taken into custody after an hourslong standoff.”

We are extremely grateful that our officer is in stable condition and expected to survive. We are also thankful that no residents or assisting personnel were injured despite the significant danger created by the suspect’s indiscriminate gunfire.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, East Bay Regional Park District Police Department, and El Cerrito Police Department for their immediate response and assistance. Their collaboration helped bring this dangerous incident to a peaceful resolution without further injury or loss of life.

Screenshot of a portion PORAC’s post on X Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

In a post on X (Twitter) Friday morning, PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) wrote, “Thankfully, the 20-year veteran is in stable condition and expected to survive. Please join PORAC in keeping this officer, their loved ones, and the Richmond Police Department family in your thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.”

ABC7 News further reported the officer was “a 20-year veteran of the department.”

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be provided as investigators complete their work and further details become available for public release.

It was the second shooting of police officer in the county Thursday as a Pittsburg officer was shot by a detainee inside the Pittsburg Police Department earlier in the day. (See related article)

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Not Loud Concerts to feature Powerhouse Ladies in El Sobrante Sept. 10

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The Powerhouse Ladies performing at Cloverfield will be (L-R) Ruby Lee Hill, Rebecca Roudman of Dirty Cello and Nineteenth Operator. Photos: Not Loud Concerts

Includes Ruby Lee Hill, Dirty Cello and Nineteenth Operator

By Sehar Kahn, Publicist, Not Loud Concerts

Hidden in the hills of El Sobrante, is a beautiful organic farm that grows rare fruits and amazing flowers, and the Not Loud Concerts team is going to hold another concert here on Thursday, Sept 10.

For this edition of the Not Loud concerts, we’ll be featuring the Powerhouse Ladies. This is 3 female-fronted bands, on stage at the same time, taking turns playing songs before performing together. One hour of amazing music.

The ladies featured will be the band Dirty Cello performing as a duo with exuberant blues and rock, Ruby Lee Hill – beautiful songs with an old-timey Western-flavor, and Nineteenth Operator from Davis, CA presenting sweet harmonies and amazing originals.

There will be chairs for everyone. Bring a light jacket.

Feel free to arrive early and have a picnic or stroll the wild gardens, and pick produce that you can buy at the farm stand.

Not Loud Concerts focus on creating an experience that is casual and fun for both the musicians and the audience. The concerts are never too long, never too expensive and of course never too loud.

Not Loud Concerts presents…Powerhouse Ladies at Cloverfield Organic Farm 501 La Paloma Road, El Sobrante

Sept 10 at 7 pm.  Tickets $20 at NotLoudConcerts.com

Court appoints “special master” for West Contra Costa Unified

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Dr. Carl A. Cohn. Photo: Alder Graduate School of Education

Former State Board of Education member to ensure district hires qualified teachers

By Diana Lambert, EdSource, republished with permission

Carl Cohn, a former superintendent and state Board of Education member, will serve in the role of special master to ensure West Contra Costa Unified hires qualified teachers for its classrooms.

In March, a two-year court battle between the school district and a public advocacy law firm ended with a ruling from the California First District Court of Appeal requiring the district to provide all children in the district with a qualified teacher as required by state law.

Specifically, the court ordered the school district to stop using 30- and 60-day substitutes to fill positions beyond the state authorized time limit, and to fill all teacher vacancies at Stege Elementary School, Helms Middle School and Kennedy High School.

The West Contra Costa Superior Court appointment on Aug. 27 means Cohn will make recommendations to West Contra Costa Unified on how to best comply with the court order, and will mediate and resolve disputes over its compliance

The case, Cleare v. West Contra Costa Unified School District, was the first time a school district had been sued under the Williams Settlement Legislation, a 2004 agreement requiring that all public school students have access to adequate textbooks, qualified teachers and safe, clean facilities.

The ruling overturns a 2024 decision by the Contra Costa County Superior Court that found in favor of the school district.

About Dr. Cohn

According to his bio on the Alder Graduate School of Education, “Dr. Cohn is professor emeritus at Claremont Graduate University. His 50-year career in education has included service as a Teacher, School Counselor, Central Office Administrator, Superintendent at both Long Beach and San Diego, and Federal Court Monitor in Los Angeles. In addition to Claremont, his higher education faculty service has included leadership preparation at Pittsburgh, CSULA, USC, Harvard, and George Washington University.

“He currently serves on the boards of the Spencer Foundation, the Center for Assessment, TeachingWorks at the University of Michigan, CTA’s Institute for Teaching, and St. Mary’s Academy.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Cohn earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Urban Education and Leadership from UCLA in 1981, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services from Chapman University in 1972 and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy from St. John’s College, Camarillo, CA in 1967.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Hercules child predator arrested in Walnut Creek during multi-agency operation

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A child predator from Hercules was arrested in Walnut Creek during an Internet Crimes Against Children operation. Photo source: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

Hercules Police Department Detectives recently participated in a multi-agency operation hosted by Walnut Creek PD and the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, targeting adults who used social media to target children for sexual exploitation. (See related article)

During the operation, Hercules Police Department Detectives assisted in the arrest of a suspect after he traveled to Walnut Creek, believing he was meeting a child. The suspect now faces charges including attempted lewd acts with a minor (PC 664/288(a)), contacting a minor to commit a sex offense (PC 288.3(a)), and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b)).

The ICAC Task Force exists to identify predators before a real child is harmed, combining investigations, training, and victim support across our region. Operations like this one are the result of that collaborative multi-agency work. We’d like to thank all the involved officers for their tireless work and our allied agencies for their assistance.

Teenage El Cerrito murder accomplice from Richmond arrested, suspect vehicle located 

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Victim identified; police seek shooter and getaway driver

By El Cerrito Police Department

On Monday, August 24, 2026, El Cerrito detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Jacari Taliferro Gibson, an 18-year-old man from Richmond (born 10/20/07), for murder and robbery in connection with the homicide in El Cerrito on Sunday, August 23.

At 1:20 PM, on August 24, 2026, Richmond Police officers located Mr. Gibson in the City of Richmond. El Cerrito Officers took custody of Mr. Gibson, booked him for the crimes of murder and robbery, and transported him to the county jail in Martinez. Following his arrest, El Cerrito Investigators and Officers served a search warrant at Mr. Gibson’s residence in Richmond.

Surveillance cameras near the scene of the crime captured footage of the suspect’s vehicle. This footage did not provide ECPD with a license plate. Investigators collaborated with regional jurisdictions to identify a license plate for the suspect vehicle, thanks to Flock Safety and Vigilant ALPR cameras. This information proved essential in identifying the vehicle used by the suspects to flee the scene. El Cerrito Investigators placed the vehicle on a statewide alert list.

During the evening of August 24, 2026, Vallejo Police officers located the 2017 Nissan Maxima used in the commission of the murder in the parking lot of the Del Norte Plaza shopping center, located at 11299 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito.

According to a KTVU FOX 2 News report, the 21-year-old victim was Jakai Couch, who was shot and killed in his Toyota Camry parked outside Los Moles restaurant in El Cerrito, and was expecting baby with his girlfriend.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 230-pound Gibson is listed as Non-Hispanic, and also as Black, and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

The ECPD is still searching for Mr. Gibson’s two accomplices, including the shooter and the getaway driver. The ECPD asks anyone with information regarding their identity or whereabouts to contact investigators at (510) 237-3233.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek two suspects in shooting homicide of young man at El Cerrito shopping center

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The suspects’ car is described as a gray Nissan Maxima, 2016 or newer. Surveillance camera video screenshot source: El Cerrito PD

Witnesses offer descriptions of vehicle, suspects

By El Cerrito Police Department

On August 23, 2026, at 12:17 PM, the El Cerrito Police received a call of a shooting in the parking lot of the Del Norte Plaza shopping center, located at 11299 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. El Cerrito, Kensington and Richmond Police officers responded to the scene. They discovered that a young man had been shot in the parking lot, near Los Moles Restaurant. Although officers attempted to provide medical aid, the man died of his wounds.

Witnesses reported that the suspects became involved in an altercation with the victim at his car and shot him. After the shooting, the suspects fled the area in a dark colored sedan by driving southbound on S. 56th Street.

Witnesses described the suspects as follows:

Suspect #1 – Young black male adult, wearing a black mask and a black North face brand puffy jacket.
Suspect #2 – Young black male adult, wearing a hat and a black Nike brand jacket.

Police officers, detectives, and crime scene investigators were at the scene interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence.

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, the victim was 21 years old from Oakland. According to an ABC7 News report, it is the first homicide in the city in three years.

UPDATE: El Cerrito Officers have located additional information about the suspect vehicle. The suspects fled the homicide scene by driving northbound on S. 56th Street, then westbound on Potrero Avenue. They were last seen driving southbound on S. 55th Street from Potrero Avenue.

Suspect Vehicle: Gray Nissan Maxima, 2016 or newer model year

If any members of the community have information about this homicide, the El Cerrito Police encourage them to call the ECPD at (510) 237-3233.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond fire suspect charged with four counts of murder as second child, second adult die

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Suspect Sergio Rivera-Vega was charged with three murders of his relatives. Photo: Richmond PD

8/24/26 UPDATE: Now charged with 4 counts of murder

32-year-old is related to the victims

Only survivor, mother of the two children, remains in the hospital with serious injuries

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a Richmond man accused of setting a house fire that killed three family members and critically injured a fourth.

Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega, 32, faces three counts of murder, with special enhancements tied to the deaths of an adult victim and two minor victims. A fourth victim, an adult woman, remains hospitalized with serious injuries; Rivera-Vega is charged separately with arson causing great bodily injury in connection with her injuries. All four victims are related to the suspect.

As previously reported, Richmond police and firefighters responded to a house fire in the 200 block of 15th Street on the evening of August 18th, at approximately 8:58 p.m. Detectives investigating the blaze identified Rivera-Vega as the person who intentionally set the fire. He was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on August 19th, and the investigation continued in the days that followed.

The case was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review today, Friday, August 21st, and charges were filed with Contra Costa Superior Court that same day. If convicted, the enhancements attached to the murder charges would carry a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

“This fire is devastating for the entire family,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “Knowing the suspect is related to the victims — including two children — makes this loss even harder to comprehend this senseless act. Our thoughts are with the family and the community affected by this tragedy. Just know that my office is committed to following the law and holding the suspect fully accountable.”

Rivera-Vega is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on August 24th at 1:30 p.m. at the A.F. Bray Courts Building Annex in Martinez. He remains in custody in lieu of $2,500,000 bail.

8/24/26 UPDATE: The Contra Costa DA’s Office has filed an amended complaint charging Richmond resident Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega, 32, with four counts of murder after a house fire on the 200 block of 15th Street killed three family members, including two children, and left a fourth relative hospitalized. The fourth victim died on Saturday. Rivera-Vega faces enhancements that could mean life without parole if convicted and is due in court in Martinez on August 24th to be arraigned.

Case No. 02-26-01475 | The People of the State of California v. Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega

See 02-26-01475 – Charging Document