Contra Costa Herald

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

Shooting, robbery suspect arrested in Pinole

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Demetrius Chafford in a photo posted on his Facebook page on Dec. 27, 2023.

UPDATE: 21-year-old Fairfield man on pre-trial release with history of arrests charged with attempted homicide, robbery and attempted carjacking; two Good Samaritans shot

By Allen D. Payton

On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2023, Pinole Police Officers responded to and investigated a reported robbery with shots fired at the Chevron station at 2695 Pinole Valley Road. By 4:30 p.m. the suspect was detained, in-custody and a firearm recovered.

Police determined there was no continued threat to the public and officers concluded their investigation at the scene.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Dec. 28, Pinole Police Commander Matt Avery issued the following press release about the incident:

On December 27, 2023, at approximately 12:20 PM, Pinole Police dispatch received a 911 call from the Chevron, 2965 Pinole Valley Road, with a loud argument heard in the background, and then the call disconnected. While officers responded, several callers reported that a robbery had just occurred, and two subjects had been shot. The callers described the suspect and said the suspect fled north toward Jack in the Box

Officers arrived in the area, found the suspect on Pinole Valley Road under Interstate 80, and safely took him into custody. Additional officers responded to the Chevron and found two victims with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Pinole Fire and AMR medics treated them as the scene and transported them to the hospital, where they were treated and later released.

Through interviews and reviewing video surveillance, officers determined that the suspect entered the convenience store and tried to make a purchase, but the transaction was declined. The suspect argued with the clerk and walked around the sales counter, where he tried to open the cash register but was unsuccessful. The suspect then ripped the register off the counter and the cables from the business telephone and exited the store.

The suspect attempted to carjack a vehicle in the Chevron lot, but the victim was able to get away. The suspect then walked over to a car parked at one of the pumps, broke out the passenger door window and stole a purse from the front seat. The suspect and victim struggled over the bag, and the suspect hit the victim several times, knocking her to the ground.

Two Good Samaritans saw the victim struggling with the suspect and intervened. The suspect then pulled out a firearm and fired multiple bullets at the Good Samaritans. Both sustained gunshot wounds but were able to retreat. The suspect fled on foot through the Jack in the Box lot and threw the firearm into the bushes. He attempted to carjack two additional vehicles as he ran and continued on foot north on Pinole Valley Road, where he was taken into custody by responding officers.

The firearm was later located and recovered with the assistance of a Concord Police Canine. The stolen purse and property belonging to the woman were recovered at the scene.

Our Criminal Investigation Division responded and assumed the investigation and is continuing to interview the victims and witnesses. The suspect, Demetrius Chafford, a 21-year-old male out of Fairfield, was found to be on pre-trial release for evading an officer and weapons violations out of Solano County.

Chafford was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple charged including two counts of attempted murder (Penal Code 664/187), two counts of assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code 245(a)(2)), robbery (Penal Code 211), attempted robbery (Penal Code 664/211), three counts of attempted carjacking (Penal Code 664/215) and carrying a concealed firearm (Penal Coe 25850(a)).

This is an ongoing investigation and we ask anyone with information to contact Detective Dean at 510-724-1111.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Chafford is being held on $1.55 million bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating to 2021 by multiple agencies including Solano County Sheriff’s Department, Vallejo Police Department and for various crimes of assault with a firearm on a person, trespassing by driving on private property, carrying a concealed firearm – pistol / revolver / other firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, manufacture / import / sale of large-capacity magazine, change/alter/remove/obliterate ID marks on a firearm, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon – no firearm/likely great bodily injury of a peace officer or fireman, carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place, evasion – wanton disregard for safety, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, and large capacity magazine.

 

 

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Hercules DUI checkpoint Friday night Dec. 29

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Source: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

In order to promote public safety Hercules Police Department is planning on conducting a Sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint on December 29th, 2023 from 8:00PM to 1:00AM

The checkpoint location will be chosen based on the amount of traffic coming into the city, history of DUI related traffic collisions and arrests. The purpose of this checkpoint is to promote awareness by preventing drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol, or drugs and driving without a valid driver’s license.

Just a reminder although medicinal and recreational Marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of Marijuana is illegal

The Hercules Police Department encourages everyone to please order an Uber/Lyft/Taxi or to have a designated driver to help you get home after the holiday festivities. Remember to stay safe and stay sober. Don’t drink and drive and face $13,500 in fines and a suspended driver’s license

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

 

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County volunteers bring Christmas joy, generosity to Pinole

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Tracey W., (right) hugs SVdP Vincentian Henrietta, (left) thanking her for the gifts, food and clothing for her family. Photos: SVdP

PINOLE, CA – December, 2023 – On Monday, December 18th, dedicated volunteers from St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) gathered at St. Joseph’s Church in Pinole to spread holiday cheer in their community. Undeterred by the pouring rain, compassionate volunteers organized a heartwarming event to provide essential items and festive gifts to their neighbors in need for Christmas.

The day was a testament to the spirit of giving, as families were greeted with smiles and warmth while receiving personalized gifts and choosing from a selection of generously donated clothing items – including shirts, sweaters, jackets, and pants.

Tracey W. of Pinole, expressing her gratitude, said, “I’m just humbled. The volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul have been a part of my family since my daughter was born. One of the volunteers made her a quilt that I still have to this day. Their help means so much to me, and I’m just so thankful to have them in my life.”

Volunteers started their day at 9 A.M. in the St. Joseph rectory by wrapping and labeling gifts. Gifts were donated by the St. Joseph Parish members, local supporters, local businesses, and SVdP volunteers. Gift cards for groceries, stuffed animals for young children, Target gift cards for Christmas presents, and boxes of cookies were distributed to every family in attendance.

Vincentian Charisse Wan, an SVdP Vincentian volunteer, shared, “We have about 63 families we are able to help out of our Conference, (branch). It’s just wonderful to see how happy the families are during the Holidays.”

Thodias D. said he is incredibly thankful for the help the SVdP volunteers at St. Joseph provide his family.

Thodias D., a single father of two young boys from Pinole, expressed his deep appreciation for the support provided by SVdP volunteers at St. Joseph’s Church.

“I just feel so blessed to be part of the SVdP family,” Thodias said. “They’ve helped me with food, clothing, just too much to name. I just feel so thankful.”

Families, arriving at St. Joseph’s in Pinole, had their gifts brought to their cars by SVdP volunteers. For those who preferred, an opportunity to find the right-sized clothing for their families was available inside the church. The event fostered a sense of friendship, camaraderie, and charity, creating a memorable day for those in need.

SVdP volunteers helped families in need with gifts, clothing and gift cards for food.

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County has provided safety-net services in the county for over 59 years, serving 100,000 people annually and distributing over $1.9 million in direct financial assistance and over $3 million of in-kind aid. More than 700 SVdP volunteers and a small staff lead operations in Contra Costa including the SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, 28 branches, and 3 Thrift Stores. One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of more than 900,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 155 countries on five continents.

Kensington Police announce passing of former Sergeant, Interim Chief Ricky Hull

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Former Kensington Police Sergeant and Interim Chief Ricky Hull. Source: Kensington PD

Services in Fairfield, Dixon Jan. 3, 2024

By Mike Gancasz, Chief of Police, Kensington

It is with deep regret and sadness that I inform you of the passing of former Kensington Police Sergeant Ricky Hull who passed away at his home in Fairfield this week.

Ricky Hull, a Fairfield native, joined the Kensington Police Force in October 1997 and served with dedication until his retirement in December 2020. Throughout his career, Ricky rose through the ranks, from Officer to Master Sergeant to Interim Chief.

His contributions to the Kensington Police Department were significant, and he will be remembered for his commitment to public service.

Ricky grew up in Fairfield and had an extended family in Richmond and West Oakland. His journey in law enforcement began in the city of Concord, where he initially worked as a civilian jailer. He attended the police academy in Pittsburg and eventually found a home in Kensington.

This news comes as a shock to all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to Ricky’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We will keep you informed about any memorial arrangements or services.

Please join us in remembering Ricky Hull and the positive impact he had on our community.

Flowers and cards can be sent to:

C. Hull

561 E. Tennessee Street

Fairfield, CA 94533

Sincerely,
M. Gancasz
Chief of Police 

— feeling sad.

The Hull family requested donations in honor of Ricky can be sent to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund c/o Vallie Jean Hull. Flowers should be substituted for potted plants due to allergies.

The service information is:

Service: January 3, 2024, 10:00 AM, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1735 Enterprise Drive, Bldg #3, Fairfield.

Viewing: 9 o’clock to 9:50 AM

Internment immediately following service: Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon.

The family thanks the community for all the love and support they have provided.

 

Following Hercules traffic stop driver arrested with variety of drugs

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Drugs, cash and cell phones confiscated during traffic stop and arrest on Dec. 12, 2023. Photo: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at 11:12 AM an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a sliver Infiniti G35 for multiple vehicle code violations. The driver immediately exited the Infiniti and attempted to walk away. The driver was ordered to remain seated in the vehicle. As the officer spoke to the driver, he began to make furtive movements in the vehicle by reaching toward his waistband and the driver’s side floorboard. The officer observed a large, clear plastic bag containing dozens of pills near the driver’s feet. The officer asked the driver to stop reaching around the vehicle, but the driver did not comply. The officer held the driver at gunpoint until other officers arrived on scene to detain the driver and passenger.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and the officer located suspected marijuana, a suspected LSD sheet, suspected Percocet pills, suspected morphine laced with fentanyl, and suspected fentanyl. The driver was placed under arrest and booked into jail.

San Pablo Police ask public’s help to find two missing women

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Tho Ngoc Ly and Que Thi Tran. Source: San Pablo PD

Mother and daughter last seen Sept. 6, 2023

By San Pablo Police Department

The San Pablo Police Department is investigating a case involving two missing persons, and is requesting our community’s assistance regarding information on their whereabouts.

40-year-old Tho Ngoc Ly and her mother, 74-year-old Que Thi Tran, were last seen at their residence in the 1900 block of Sutter Avenue on September 6th, 2023. Ly and Tran had reportedly traveled to the Southern California region following a family argument however, detectives have been unable to establish contact to confirm their well-being.

Ly is described as an Asian female adult, approximately 5 feet tall and 115 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Tran is described as an Asian female adult, approximately 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts, or how to establish contact with Ly and/or Tran, is encouraged to call the SPPD Investigations Division at 510-215-3150.

 

Stolen car driver arrested after crashing into Hercules police vehicle during pursuit

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Photos: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at approximately 12:03 PM officers received a Flock camera notification of a stolen gray Hyundai Sonata in area of Willow Avenue at Sycamore Avenue. An officer observed the Hyundai turning right onto San Pablo Ave from Sycamore Ave. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic enforcement stop and notified other officers in the area on the radio.

Another officer that was on an unrelated traffic enforcement stop John Muir Parkway at San Pablo Ave. observed the Hyundai begin to accelerate away at a high rate of speed. The officer had an opportunity to deploy stop sticks successfully deflating three tires.

Officers trailed the Hyundai eastbound on State Route 4 for community safety purposes. The Hyundai was not able to evade the officers effectively due to the tires being deflated completely. As the trailing progressed on State Route 4 the integrity of the Hyundai’s rims failed causing the vehicle to drive erratically and slower. An officer began a traffic break to help slow down other vehicles on the highway. The driver lost control and spun-out facing west on State Route 4. The driver attempted to continue evading again and drove directly toward a patrol vehicle that was stopped with the officer inside. The Hyundai struck the officer’s vehicle. The officers were able to safely arrest the driver.

The driver and officer sustained no injuries. The driver was then medically cleared at the hospital and later transported to juvenile hall. The Hyundai was towed.

Richmond woman’s fatal DUI crash on Hwy 4 near Martinez takes life of her 5-year-old

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Shakela Janey Dominick and her daughter in photos posted to her Facebook page on (left) Jan. 16, 2022, and (right) Nov. 1, 2018.

Also injured another passenger, an 11-year-old boy; driver also arrested for manslaughter, charged with 5 felonies

By Allen D. Payton

According to CHP – Contra Costa, early Sunday morning, Dec. 17 ,2023, at 12:06 am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a solo vehicle traffic crash on westbound Hwy 4 near Morello Avenue. Our preliminary investigation indicates a grey Honda CR-V was occupied by one adult driver and two children and traveling westbound on Hwy 4. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the Honda left the roadway and collided with a tree.

The driver, identified in court records as Shakela Janey Dominick, 32, of Richmond, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the hospital. An 11-year-old passenger sustained major, life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. A 5-year-old passenger, Dearri Shula of Richmond, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

During the on-scene investigation, it was determined Dearri was not properly restrained in a child seat. Furthermore, Officers arrived at the hospital to conduct a DUI investigation and Dominick, who earlier was reported to be the mother of both children, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and manslaughter. But it was later learned the 11-year-old is a boy and not her son.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, she is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $400,000 bail.

According to Contra Costa DA spokesman Ted Asregadoo, Dominick was arraigned Thursday afternoon, Dec. 21 and during the court hearing, a bail reduction request by the defense from $400,000 to $100,000 was denied by the judge and that her blood alcohol level was 0.16 to 0.17 percent.

She was charged with five felonies for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with one enhancement for bodily injury to more than one victim; driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury with three enhancements, two for great bodily injury and one for bodily injury to more than one victim; driving with a .08% Blood Alcohol Content causing injury with the same three enhancements; and two counts of child abuse. Dominick faces up to three years in state prison for each charge. 01-23-03987 – Shakela Janey Dominick Charging Document

A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 29 at 8:30 am with Judge Jennifer Lee in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Dominick was arrested by Vacaville Police in October 2020 for shoplifting.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to mailto:320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

 

De La Salle Soccer Team, Danville Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul team up to feed needy

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The De La Salle Soccer team helped load over 40,000 lb. of holiday meals to help feed people in need. Photo: SVdP of CCC

By Brian Boyle, Communications & Development Associate, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the Knights of Columbus from St. Isidore Church in Danville, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP), and the De la Salle Boys Soccer Team joined hands to provide over 40,000 lb. in holiday meals to families in need.

The Knights of Columbus Council 4060 at St. Isidore Church in Danville generously donated and packed over 500 meal kits for families of eight with all the fixings for a delicious holiday meal. They even included a 20 lb. turkey with every kit! Each meal was then blessed by Fr. Matthew Murray, pastor of St. Isidore Church, with the hopes that the food would fill empty bellies and help heal people who need a little kindness this holiday season.

“If it wasn’t for the De La Salle Soccer Team, I don’t think we would’ve been able to distribute all of this food,” SVdP Representative Stephen Krank said. “Those young men made sure a lot of people will be able to celebrate the holidays with a full table and full bellies. It’s a wonderful thing they did. At SVdP, we’ll always be grateful to the Knights of Columbus and the De La Salle community for caring about their neighbors in need.”

The meal kits were loaded into the SVdP delivery van, and then delivered to families and organizations across Contra Costa County. The meal kits were delivered to SVdP Conferences in Richmond, El Cerrito and San Pablo, as well as to Ariel Ministries in Oakland and St. Joseph the Worker in Berkeley.

Each meal kit was blessed, with the hopes that they can bring healing to families in need. Photo: SVdP of CCC

“The holidays are about family and community,” Krank said. “And it just warms my heart to see so many people treat people in need like their family. There are a lot of people in need in the Bay Area, and by working together we can not only make a difference, we can make lasting change.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County has provided safety-net services in the county for over 59 years, serving 100,000 people annually and distributing over $1.9 million in direct financial assistance and over $3 million of in-kind aid. More than 700 SVdP volunteers and a small staff lead operations in Contra Costa including the SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, 28 branches, and three Thrift Stores. One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of more than 900,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 155 countries on five continents.

Hercules traffic stop leads to arrest for unregistered firearm

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Loaded unregistered gun discovered and confiscated on Dec. 11, 2023. Photos: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

Can you spot the firearm? Swipe to see if you would have located it… good eye, Officer.

On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at approximately 1:53 AM an officer conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Malibu on Willow Ave at Hawthorne Drive. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed the barrel of a silver and black firearm protruding from underneath a jacket on the front passenger seat.

The driver was detained, and a search of the vehicle was conducted. The search revealed a loaded, silver and black Springfield XD-M 40 pistol. The firearm was unregistered. The driver was arrested for firearm violations and booked in jail.