Contra Costa Herald

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

Former accountant for Richmond business charged with felonies for embezzlement, ID theft money laundering

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Bail set at $2 million

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

A former accountant for a paver company in Richmond has been charged with a six-count felony complaint related to embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and tax evasion.

53-year-old Angela Fae Brown from Olivehurst, CA in Yuba County was arraigned today on charges in Contra Costa Superior Court. Between September 2017 and November 2022, Brown engaged in an embezzlement scheme that bilked over 800-thousand dollars from her employer, Viking Pavers in Richmond. Brown used her accounting skills to exploit financial vulnerabilities in the company to illegally enrich herself for nearly five years. She did this by:

  1. Pretending to be the owner of Viking Pavers and creating a fake online account with a payment processing service linked to her personal bank account.
  2. Generating hundreds of phony invoices for services and sending them electronically to the fake account she controlled.
  3. Brown paid these fake invoices with the company’s funds through the online payment processing platform — which funneled the money into her own account.
  4. Brown’s trusted employee status — and access to various financial controls — allowed her to conceal her embezzlement scheme for a long time.

A manager eventually suspected Brown’s fraudulent actions and confronted her. Richmond Police who, along with financial forensics analysts from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, investigated Brown’s actions. She was arrested on April 19th, 2024, and is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. Her bail is set at two-million-dollars. District Attorney Diana Becton said, “In white collar crimes, it’s of paramount importance for our Special

Operations Unit to use forensic tools to recover stolen funds; funds some have gone to great lengths to conceal.”

Case No. 02-24-00513 | The People of the State of California v. Brown, Angela Fae

  1. PC 530.5(a)-felony: Identity theft
  2. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  3. PC 487(a)-f: Grand theft of money, labor, or real or personal property exceeding $950
  4. PC 529(a)(3)-felony: False personation
  5. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  6. RT 19705(a)(4)-felony: Concealing property with intent to evade tax

— Special Allegation PC 186.11(a)(2) : aggravated white-collar crime – taking more than $500,000

San Pablo promoted police captain to chief

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Newly appointed San Pablo Police Chief Brian Bubar. Source: SPPD

21-year department veteran Brian Bubar

By Matt Rodriguez, San Pablo City Manager

(San Pablo, CA)  The City of San Pablo has formally appointed Police Captain Brian Bubar, a 21-year veteran of the San Pablo Police Department, as San Pablo’s next Police Chief.

“After an extensive and competitive executive recruitment search, I am pleased to announce San Pablo Police Captain Brian Bubar as San Pablo’s next Police Chief,” stated San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez.

Bubar, selected from a field of 13 applicants, served as the City’s Interim Police Chief following the retirement of former San Pablo Police Chief Ron Raman in late December 2023.  Peckham and McKenney, an executive search firm based in Roseville, CA, was retained in January 2024 to conduct the executive search on behalf of the City.

Since 2016, Police Captain Bubar has served in a number of ascending positions of leadership, responsibility and supervision, including several police command positions within the Police Department.  In August 2021, Bubar earned a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego, CA, and previously earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University in September 2018.  Additionally, he is a 2021 graduate of the California Commission of Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Command College Program.

“Police Captain Brian Bubar brings forward a solid, operational reputation and extensive local community knowledge and experience, with his noteworthy leadership credentials to the position of Police Chief.  He is a dedicated law enforcement professional who understands the importance of community engagement practices, progressive law enforcement training, and the Department’s continued use of technology programs in substantially reducing violent crime in San Pablo,” stated Rodriguez.  “He further understands the importance of law enforcement in connecting with our community to build trust, and to make it more safe and prosperous for the future.”

Chief Bubar’s official start date in his new role is Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  He is the City’s first, Asian-American Police Chief appointed in San Pablo since the City’s incorporation in 1948.  His starting annual base salary is $268,488.  Chief Bubar is married and has three children, and is a current resident of Fairfield, CA.

Celebrate Earth Day 2024 in West Contra Costa County Saturday, April 20

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Plenty of great community events and ways to serve

¡Celebra el Día de la Tierra 2024! Muchos grandes eventos comunitarios

Community activism is powerful and leads to real change!

By Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia

One of the best aspects of Earth Day is that everyone can participate. Everyone can be great because everyone can do something in their own community.

Join me and your neighbors at one of the great Earth Day events in West Contra Costa County. See you there!

Saturday, April 20, 2024

North Richmond Earth Day 2024: Volunteers will work on service projects at different sites in North Richmond, then come together for a fun community festival from 9am – Noon.

Hope Garden Planting Info Here      Wildcat Creek Clean Up Info Here

El Cerrito Earth Day Celebration: Each year the City celebrates Earth Day with a morning of volunteerism and work parties. Join one of the many citywide work parties from 9 am to 12 noon, and a complimentary seedling giveaway by the El Cerrito Community Garden Network with the El Cerrito Garden Club at the City Corporation Yard (across from the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center) Info Here

Pinole Earth Walk: Join community in a walking pledge to protect the planet, with a three mile loop along the bay and creek starting and ending at Fernandez Park from 9am to noon. Info here.

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Clean Up: Help cleanup Point Pinole! Bags, disposable gloves, and necessary supplies are provided. Info Here

El Sobrante Earth Day Community Cleanup: Earth Day book displays, gardening, speakers, entertainment and other fun and educational activities! Gather at 9:30am at El Sobrante Library 4191 Appian Way. Info here.

Unity Park Earth Day Celebration (Urban Tilth): The Earth Day Celebration is an event aimed at uniting the community to discover innovative methods for leading sustainable lives and nurturing our planet. Info here.

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park: Join the volunteer effort and a morning of Habitat Restoration at Wildcat Canyon Regional Park from 9am to 12pm! Info here

En Español

¡El activismo comunitario es poderoso y conduce a un cambio real!

Uno de los mejores aspectos del Día de la Tierra es que todos pueden participar. Todos pueden ser geniales porque todos pueden hacer algo en su propia comunidad.

Únase a mí ya sus vecinos en uno de los grandes eventos del Día de la Tierra en el condado de West Contra Costa.

¡Te veo allí!

sábado, 20 de abril

Día de la Tierra 2024 en North Richmond: Los voluntarios trabajarán en proyectos de servicio en diferentes lugares de North Richmond, luego se reunirán para un divertido festival comunitario de 9 am a 12 pm.

Información aquí. (Siembra en el jardín de la esperanza)

Información aquí. (La limpieza del arroyo Wildcat)

Celebración del Día de la Tierra en El Cerrito: Cada año, la ciudad celebra el Día de la Tierra con una mañana de voluntariado y grupos de trabajo. Únete a uno de los muchos grupos de trabajo en toda la ciudad de 9 am a 12 pm, y recibe una planta de regalo cortesía de la Red de Jardines Comunitarios de El Cerrito y el Club de Jardinería de El Cerrito en el Patio de la Corporación de la Ciudad (en frente del Centro de Reciclaje y Recursos Ambientales de El Cerrito). Información aquí.

Caminata de la Tierra en Pinole: Únete a la comunidad en un compromiso de caminata para proteger el planeta, con un recorrido de tres millas a lo largo de la bahía y el arroyo que comienza y termina en el Parque Fernández de 9 am a 12 pm. Información aquí.

Limpieza en Point Pinole: ¡Ayuda a limpiar Point Pinole! Se proporcionan bolsas, guantes desechables y suministros necesarios. Información aquí.

Limpieza Comunitaria del Día de la Tierra en El Sobrante: ¡Exhibiciones de libros del Día de la Tierra, jardinería, oradores, entretenimiento y otras actividades divertidas y educativas! Reúnete a las 9:30 am en la Biblioteca de El Sobrante en 4191 Appian Way. Información aquí.

Celebración del Día de la Tierra en el Parque Unity (Urban Tilth): La Celebración del Día de la Tierra es un evento dirigido a unir a la comunidad para descubrir métodos innovadores para llevar vidas sostenibles y cuidar nuestro planeta. Información aquí.

Parque Regional Wildcat Canyon: ¡Únete al esfuerzo voluntario y a una mañana de Restauración del Hábitat en el Parque Regional Wildcat Canyon de 9 am a 12 pm! Información aquí.

 

STAND! for Families Free of Violence to hold panel discussions on preventing domestic violence April 30, May 7

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Interrupting a lethal moment: A multi-disciplinary panel discussion highlighting collaborative approaches to intervene in potentially lethal domestic violence in Contra Costa.

In Brentwood and San Pablo

This informative event will be held in three locations throughout the county to share information on how STAND!, law enforcement, and medical professionals are working together to interrupt high-risk events and interactions between intimate partner victims and offenders.

Panelists include Ashley Palomino, STAND! Intervention Support Services Manager, local law enforcement representatives, and medical experts in emergency treatment of domestic violence patients.

Registration is free. Register at http://standforfamiliesfreeofviolence.ticketspice.com/lap-speaker-series.

Richmond Police investigate Wednesday morning homicide

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By Richmond Police Department

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:51 a.m., Richmond Police Dispatch received a call about a disturbance in the 300 block of South 36th Street. The caller reported that a subject had been injured at the location and needed medical assistance. Medical personnel and RPD officers responded to the location where they had located a victim. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to their wounds at the scene.

RPD Homicide Detectives are at the scene actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact RPD Detectives at (510) 233-1214.

3 Contra Costa men among 4 arrested for Tracy jewelry store smash-and-grab robbery

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From Antioch, Bay Point, Richmond; $150K of items stolen in organized retail theft

Antioch man has history of arrests, as does one other suspect from Hayward

By Tracy Police Department

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, at approximately 2:25 p.m., the Tracy Police Department Communications Center received reports of a robbery in progress at Don Roberto Jewelers located inside the West Valley Mall. During the robbery, eight (8) subjects, wearing face masks, entered the store and used hammers to smash the glass displays, proceeding to take approximately $150,000 in jewelry before fleeing the area.

As the subjects associated with the robbery were seen fleeing the area, witnesses reported observing a stolen white BMW SUV occupied by four (4) of the subjects was involved in a solo crash near the east entrance of the mall near Corral Hollow Road, while the other four (4) subjects were able to get away. As the four subjects involved in the crash fled on foot,

Due to the four subjects involved in the crash fleeing on foot, Stockton Police Department Air Support, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist in an area search. During their search, the four subjects, identified as Eric James Anderson (21 years old of Antioch, CA), Trevion Williams (21 years old of Bay Point, CA), Jayden Deonte Barnes (19 years old of Richmond) and Jamary Barnes (23 years old of Hayward, CA) were located within the perimeter set by Tracy PD and assisting agencies.

Investigators assigned to the General Investigations Unit (GIU) responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

All four subjects were arrested for PC 490.4 – Organized Retail Theft, PC 182 – Conspiracy to commit a crime, and PC 211 – Robbery by force or fear, and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 6-foot, 7-inch, 140-pound Anderson, who is Black, has been arrested multiple times since June 2021 by Alameda County, Kern County and San Joaquin County Sheriffs’ Departments, Oakland PD and as recently as Feb. 29, 2024, by Fresno PD including for multiple gun crimes, vehicle robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft and evasion with wanton disregard for safety.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, four-inch, 160-pound Barnes, who is Black, also has a history of arrests dating back to Sept. 2019 by multiple agencies for crimes including street terrorism, possession of a machine gun, grand theft, gang conspiracy, drug possession and first-degree residential robbery.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, contact Detective Kenneth Steele at Kenneth.Steele@TracyPD.com or (209) 831-6660, or Detective Lissette Ortiz at Lissette.Ortiz@TracyPD.com or (209) 831-6569. To make an anonymous tip, contact Tracy Crime Stoppers by calling (209) 831-4847 or by texting “TIPTPD” and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man arrested again, charged with multiple felonies for illegal weapons possession

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Guns seized from Hansen’s home in Richmond during his first arrest announced in February. Photos: CA DOJ

Cache of weapons included machine guns, assault rifles, silencers, homemade explosives

CA Attorney General announced first arrest in Feb., but state DOJ didn’t request prosecution and suspect was released, re-arrested March 17

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

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 21-count felony complaint against a Richmond man for possessing a large cache of illegal weapons, high-capacity magazines, and homemade explosives.

68-year-old Lawrence Robert Hansen (born 7/15/55) of Richmond is in custody after he was arrested on an outstanding warrant on March 17th by Richmond Police. Hansen is also listed on the Armed and Prohibited Persons System which tracks individuals who are barred from owning or possessing firearms.

Between 2022-2023, Hansen made several violent firearm-related threats to medical staff at a Walnut Creek clinic while seeking treatment. Staff members reported those threats to Walnut Creek Police on September 18th, 2023. In a separate incident, Hansen was transported to a hospital in Walnut Creek on September 26th, 2023, for a medical issue. During an examination, a staff member saw that Hansen had a handgun (later determined to be loaded) in his waistband area. The weapon was taken from Hansen and police were informed.

Because of the legal prohibition against Hansen possessing firearms, as well as threats made to medical employees, members from the Contra Costa Anti-Violence Support Effort Task Force, California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms, and Contra Costa County Probation Officers searched Hansen’s residence with a court-ordered warrant in Richmond on January 31, 2024. During the search, agents found 11 machine guns, more than 130 handguns, 37 rifles, 60 assault rifles, 7 shotguns, 3,000 large capacity magazines, several grenades (inert), homemade explosives, incendiary ammunition, and around one million rounds of ammunition.

Hansen was arraigned on March 18th in Martinez. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27th in Department 23 at 8:30 am.

As previously reported, following the Jan. 31 search, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Feb. 15 the arrest of Hansen. Asked why he was out of custody and arrested again on March 17, Asregadoo responded, “Upon receiving a request for prosecution (RFP) from the arresting police agency, a case undergoes review to determine whether to file charges. The RFP should include investigative reports and evidence relevant to the case. In the instance of Lawrence Robert Hansen, the arresting agency, Cal DOJ, did not immediately request prosecution at the time of arrest. Instead, Cal DOJ chose to finalize their investigation before submitting the request for prosecution along with associated reports and evidence to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Hansen is a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190-pound Hispanic man.

Case No. 02-24-00234 | The People of the State of California v. Hansen, Lawrence Robert

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man charged with smuggling ammunition from U.S. to Brazil

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Could face 10 years in  prison and $250,000 fine

By U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – On Monda, March 4, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Edijalma De Souza Ferreira, charging him with smuggling ammunition from the United States to Brazil without an export license, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

According to the indictment, filed February 27, Ferreira, 46, of Richmond, Calif., smuggled thousands of rounds of ammunition in two container shipments that were exported from the Port of Oakland in 2021. Export of the ammunition was contrary to the Export Control Reform Act and associated regulations. The indictment charges Ferreira with a felony violation of 18 U.S.C. § 554.

Ferreira was arrested on February 29, 2024, and made his initial appearance in federal court in Oakland the same day. He was released on bond and his next appearance is scheduled for March 6, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu for identification of counsel.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Ferreira faces a maximum sentence of ten years of imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000 for the 18 U.S.C. § 554 violation. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle J. Kane is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI with assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Container Security Initiative, the HSI Brasilia Attaché Office, and the Customs and Revenue Service of Brazil.

See case details at U.S. v. Ferreira, 4:24-cr-00120-YGR-1 (DMR) |

Young Pittsburg, Oakland women arrested for stealing over $6K of goods from Brentwood store

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The suspects’ car, the two suspects arrested, and the cash confiscated from the sale of the stolen merchandise from a Brentwood store on Monday, March 11, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD

Sold it in Oakland, SF; Hercules PD assists

By Brentwood Police Department

IF YOU DECIDE TO STEAL IN BRENTWOOD

On Monday, March 11, 2024, around 1:30PM, Brentwood officers were dispatched to Ulta at the Streets of Brentwood for a report of a theft of over $6,300 in merchandise. The reporting party provided a description of the two suspects, who had just fled in a vehicle.

BPD officers contacted the Streets of Brentwood Security, who were able to obtain the license plate of the suspect car from video surveillance. The officers confirmed the car was a rental vehicle, as it is common for organized retail thieves to use rental vehicles to commit crimes in order to evade detection.

Later that day around 5:00 PM, Hercules PD located the suspect vehicle and detained two of the occupants identified as 19-year-old Andrea Glaser of Oakland, and 21-year-old Tyerra Destiny Townsend of Pittsburg. BPD detectives responded to the city of Hercules as soon as they were notified.

Both suspects admitted to stealing from Ulta and also said they sold the stolen merchandise in Oakland and San Francisco for cash. None of the stolen merchandise was recovered; however approximately $1,000 in cash was found on Glaser and Townsend.

Glaser had additional warrants and Townsend, who is on felony probation in Contra Costa County, received additional related charges. Both Townsend and Glaser were placed under arrest for organized retail theft.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the 5-foot, 4-inch, 120-lb. Townsend is being held on no bail in the West County Detention Center in Richmond. Her next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 14 at 1:30 PM in Superior Court. Additional information about Glaser could not be located online.

The cooperation and assistance provided by the Streets of Brentwood Security team and Hercules PD were instrumental in solving this case. Their collaboration exemplifies the collective commitment to maintaining public safety and combating criminal activity in our city.

Furthermore, this investigation highlights the dedication of Brentwood PD officers and detectives in solving crimes and ensuring accountability within the community.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

San Pablo Police officer struck by car following chase, crash

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Vehicle ID’d, suspects sought

By San Pablo Police Department

On Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:02PM, San Pablo police officers located a stolen vehicle driving in the area of San Pablo Dam Road and San Pablo Avenue. Officers attempted a traffic stop, however the driver fled in the vehicle. Following a brief pursuit, the suspect vehicle collided with a parked car in the 2100 block of Alfreda Boulevard.

A San Pablo police officer, believing the vehicle was disabled, exited his patrol vehicle to initiate a felony stop to apprehend the suspects. The suspect vehicle abruptly accelerated back into the roadway, directly toward where the officer was standing. The officer attempted to retreat backwards however, was struck by the front end of the suspect vehicle. At the same time, the officer discharged two rounds from his duty firearm, striking the front windshield of the suspect vehicle.

Additional San Pablo police officers continued to pursue the suspect vehicle however, lost sight of the vehicle in the City of Richmond. The suspect vehicle, a red 2018 Chevy Malibu (California license plate 8ZUH227), and suspects remain outstanding. The driver is described as an African American female adult, and there is no further information on the passenger at this time. It is unknown if the suspects were injured during the incident.

The San Pablo police officer was transported via ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

This incident remains an active investigation, and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department Investigations Division at 510-215-3150. If the suspect vehicle is located, please contact your local police department immediately.