Contra Costa Herald

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

YES Nature to Neighborhoods to host 2nd Annual Rich City Kickback in Richmond Nov. 4

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Unites Richmond for community wellness, mental health advocacy

By Sabrina Schaefer, Development & Communications Coordinator, YES Nature to Neighborhoods

On Saturday November 4th, Richmond-based nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods (YES) will host the second-annual Rich City Kickback at the Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall. In addition to YES, local organizations including Urban Tilth, The Watershed Project, Young Women’s Freedom Center, and Alcohol Marijuana Prescription Drug (AMPD) Coalition, will lead hands-on healing and wellness activities at the event. Young adults from YES’s Teaching Racial Environmental Empowerment Series (TREES) program will call on City of Richmond officials to invest in adult mental health by creating safe spaces that empower residents with alternate coping strategies to substance use. Residents of all ages are invited to enjoy the featured wellness and art activities and musical entertainment. This event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Young adults from YES Nature to Neighborhoods’ TREES program; City of Richmond Mayor, Eduardo Martinez (attending)

WHY: The rate of substance use condition among young adults age 18 to 25 is nearly double that of older adults and more than three times that of younger teens. Young adults from the TREES program are advocating for increased access to government-funded mental and emotional health supports as a means to decrease substance use among their age group.

WHEN: 1:00 – 4:00PM, Saturday November 4th, 2023

WHERE: Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall, 3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • Social Media:

○ www.instagram.com/trees_program/?hl=en

○ www.instagram.com/yesn2n

○ www.facebook.com/YESNaturetoNeighborhoods/

Rodeo couple charged with murder in toddler’s death, abuse of infant

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Rodeo couple with murder, child abuse resulting in death, and torture in the death of a toddler — and the abuse of an infant.

22-year-old Destiny Deboe and 21-year-old Tyshawn Haywood are currently in custody in the Martinez Detention Facility awaiting their arraignment. (See related article)

On Monday, October 2nd at approximately 8:50 PM, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched after receiving a report of a 2-year-old child who had drowned in a bathtub. When emergency personnel arrived at the residence, they began life-saving measures on the child. The victim was then transported to a local hospital — but was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.

In the course of the investigation by Contra Costa County Sheriff’s detectives, it was determined that the child did not die from drowning but rather from injuries sustained as a result of prolonged abuse. It was also discovered that a second child in the care and custody of the defendants suffered life threatening injuries sustained as a result of abuse. The seriousness of these allegations has led to both individuals being held in lieu of $1,070,000 bail. The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence from police authorities and filed charges with Superior Court this afternoon.

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “The loss of a young life deeply impacts us all. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this incredibly difficult time. We are committed to seeking justice and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”

The People of the State of California vs Deboe, Destiny

The People of the State of California vs Haywood, Tyshawn Leontray

Rodeo couple arrested for murder, torture in bathtub drowning of 2-year-old

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Held on $1,070,000 bail

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff

On Monday, October 2, 2023, at about 8:48 PM, Bay Station deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of California Street in Rodeo for a call of a two-year-old who had reportedly drowned in a bathtub.

The fire department arrived at the same time as deputies and started life-saving measures on the child. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Detectives investigating this incident have made two arrests in connection to the child’s death: Destiny Rose Deboe, 22 (born April 5, 2021) of Rodeo and Tyshawn Haywood, 21 (born May 16, 2002) of Rodeo. Deboe is described as 5-feet 8-inches tall and 140 pounds and Haywood is described 5-feet 9-inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.

Both have been booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: murder, felony infliction of injury to a child, and torture. Each is being held in lieu of $1,070,000 bail.

This case remains under investigation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

West County: El Sobrante man arrested with $190K of stolen retail merchandise

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Stolen merchandise recovered at a home in El Sobrante on August 31, 2023. Photos: CHP

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

Investigators assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division (GGD) Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) have recovered approximately $190,000 in stolen retail merchandise and approximately $24,000 in cash after serving a search warrant on a house in El Sobrante, Calif.

In July of 2023, ORCTF investigators were provided with information regarding a possible illegal fencing operation within the city of El Sobrante. It was alleged that after the theft of retail merchandise, the products were stored at a residence before being sold at various locations. An investigation was launched, and investigators soon had enough information to obtain a search warrant for the residence.

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, ORCTF and GGD Investigative Services Unit personnel executed the search warrant at the residence. Once inside, officers located stolen retail merchandise from Lululemon, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, Express, TJX, Ross, and Victoria’s Secret, among others. A preliminary estimate put the value of the recovered merchandise at over $190,000 and investigators also recovered over $24,000 in cash proceeds from the sale of the stolen merchandise.

The suspect, 52-year-old Ngoc Bui Bach of El Sobrante was booked into Contra Costa County jail on charges of 490.4 PC – Organized Retail Crime, 487(a) PC – Grand Theft, 496(a) PC – Possession of Stolen Property, and 182 PC – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime.

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

 

During chase from Fairfield two Oakland men arrested for car theft with help of San Pablo Police K9

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San Pablo Officer Kitchen and K-9 Riggs. Photo: San Pablo PD

Hercules Police also assist; both have history of arrests

By Fairfield Police Department

On August 26, Officer Spencer encountered a red Hyundai bearing plates belonging to a Jeep and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

As the car sped down westbound I-80 near the American Canyon exit, a passenger discarded a firearm from the window. When the discarded gun struck the roadway, it discharged a round and either the round, or the gun itself, struck the windshield of another pursuing officer.

The vehicle eventually exited I-80 and entered the city of Hercules, where it pulled into a shopping center. The passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Two of Fairfield’s officers remained with the driver, identified as 40-year-old Jesus Escamilla of Oakland, and took him into custody.

Hercules PD and San Pablo PD arrived on-scene to assist. Those agencies handled the perimeter and began searching for the passenger. A K9 from San Pablo PD located the man, 35-year-old Oscar Garcia of Oakland, hiding in a tree. He was taken into custody without incident.

The vehicle in which the two men fled had been reported stolen out of Oakland, and 2 oz of suspected drugs were found inside. Both Escamilla and Garcia were booked into County Jail.

Our thanks to Hercules Police Department and San Pablo Police Department (including K-9 Riggs) for helping bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

San Pablo Police shared the following about the incident:

Fairfield PD requested the assistance from our very own K-9 Riggs and Ofc. Kitchen. Fairfield PD had a suspect run from them, and they ended up in Hercules. They requested our K-9 to help them find the suspect as he ran from them. Once, Ofc. Kitchen and K-9 Riggs arrived on scene K-9 Riggs located the suspect hiding in a nearby tree. The suspect heard that K-9 Riggs was on scene, he decided to climb down the tree, and surrender peacefully. Great Job Ofc. Kitchen and K-9 Riggs. K-9 Riggs definitely deserves a puppuccino.

According to localcrimenews.com Escamilla has a history of arrests dating back to 2019 by multiple agencies including San Leandro PD, San Pablo PD, Piedmont PD and Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for crimes including drug and gun possession, grand theft, possession of burglar’s tools, vehicle theft and multiple cases of prowling.

According to localcrimenews.com Garcia also has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies Oakland PD, Fremont PD, Berkely PD, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and Castro Valley CHP for crimes including DUI, inflicting corporal punishment on a spouse or co-inhabitant, possession of burglar’s tools, drug possession, receiving stolen property and multiple vehicle thefts as recently as earlier this month.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Alhambra Valley Road Slope Failure Repairs Project work Aug. 29 & 30

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Alhambra Valley Road geotechnical work map. Source: CCC Public Works

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will be performing geotechnical borings in preparation for the Alhambra Valley Road Slope Failure Repairs Project. Work will take place on Alhambra Valley Road at three locations between Castro Ranch Road and Bear Creek Road located 1-mile, 1.3-miles, and 1.6-miles east of the intersection with Castro Ranch Road. Work will occur on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm., barring unforeseen circumstances. Drivers should expect delays up to 30 minutes during construction and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/AlhambraValleyRoadRepair

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

For Construction and Project status contact, Xiuwei Tang, 925.313.2105

 

West County: One dead in Saturday night Rodeo shooting

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

On Saturday, August 26, 2023, at about 10:34 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance call on the 100 block of Rodeo Avenue in Rodeo. At about the same time, dispatch received several calls of shots being fired in the area.

Deputies arrived and located a person who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The fire department responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and is not being identified at this time.

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, the victim was a mother with an eight-year-old son.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

16-year-old suspect arrested after chase from Contra Costa to SF and back, striking CHP K9

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Photo by CHP.

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

A 16-year-old male is in custody after fleeing from a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy and striking a California Highway Patrol (CHP) canine.

On Friday, August 25, 2023, at approximately 3:20 p.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Oakland Area Office were advised of a white Infinity sedan that had fled from CCSO Deputies.  The deputy had attempted to stop the vehicle on Hwy 4 in Hercules for a vehicle code violation, but the driver refused to stop and fled from the deputy.  After a brief pursuit, a CCSO helicopter arrived overhead, and the deputy discontinued his pursuit. Despite having no law enforcement pursuing him, the suspect continued driving recklessly, now traveling westbound on I-80 toward Oakland.  After crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the suspect exited into San Francisco and began driving recklessly on city streets.

A CHP helicopter arrived overhead shortly after the vehicle entered San Francisco and was able to provide updates to officers in the area.  At one point, the Infinity collided with other vehicles and came to a stop.  CHP officers nearby were on scene soon after and believed the suspect was now boxed in.  Believing the suspect might run from officers, a CHP officer retrieved his canine partner, Champ, from his vehicle.  As the officer prepared Champ for deployment, the suspect drove toward them, striking Champ and another vehicle.

The suspect re-entered the SFOBB and began traveling eastbound on I-80 toward Oakland.  Two CHP officers briefly attempted to stop the suspect vehicle as it traveled across the bridge but discontinued due to the suspect’s reckless disregard for the safety of others on the roadway.  A CHP helicopter continued following the suspect as he traveled into Richmond and eventually abandoned his vehicle near Booker T. Anderson Jr. Park.  The suspect ran into a nearby apartment complex where he hid from pursuing officers.

Law enforcement from the CHP, CCSO, and the Richmond Police Department (RPD) quickly responded to the scene and formed a perimeter around the building.  Law enforcement initially provided numerous commands for the suspect to surrender, however he refused to come out.  Shortly after 9 p.m., officers utilized vehicle loud speakers to call out for the suspect to surrender or they would begin entering apartments to locate him.  Soon after, the suspect emerged from the apartment and surrendered.  The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was taken into custody without incident.  Following his arrest, the juvenile was booked into a local juvenile hall on numerous misdemeanor and felony charges.

After being struck by the suspect on city streets in San Francisco, K9 Champ was transported to an emergency vet where he received excellent care.  We are pleased to say that Champ sustained no major injuries and is expected to recover.  We would like to thank the incredible staff who made sure Champ was well taken care of after this incident. Even though he doesn’t want to, Champ will be taking a little time off to recover and make sure he’s back to 100% before he’s back out on the streets doing what he does best (the last photo shows Champ recovering at home today).

We would like to thank our law enforcement partners from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Richmond Police Department as well as the Richmond Fire Department for their assistance in bringing this incident to a successful and uneventful conclusion.  We would also like to thank the residents who were evacuated from their homes for their patience as we did everything we could to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution.

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

Lab results show Legionnaires’ Disease bacteria detected in samples linked to Richmond Spa

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Zen Day Spa front and hot tub. Source: Yelp

Two connected deaths; business remains closed

By Contra Costa Health

Laboratory testing results show that water and swab samples collected from a Richmond spa contained high levels of legionella bacteria, making it the likely source of Legionnaires’ disease among multiple customers.

Contra Costa Health (CCH) began investigating Zen Day Spa at 12230 San Pablo Avenue on Aug. 4, after area hospitals reported two deaths from Legionnaires’ disease. Both people visited the business before becoming ill.

The business voluntarily closed Aug. 5, and remains closed under a health order issued by CCH. CCH collected water and swab samples and, while still awaiting final reports from the lab, initial results show high concentrations of legionella bacteria.

CCH has contacted more than 30 recent customers of Zen Day Spa as part of its investigation, as well as recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported through community healthcare providers.

Beyond the two people who died with lab-confirmed Legionnaires’ disease, CCH has as of Aug. 21 identified two other people who visited the business and had lab-confirmed Legionnaires’ disease, and two people who reported becoming ill after visiting the business, whom investigators suspect had Legionnaires’ disease.

CCH will not release personal information about these people, in accordance with medical privacy laws.

Legionnaires’ disease can cause serious pneumonia. While legionella bacteria naturally live in fresh water, health concerns can arise in hot tubs and pools where the bacteria can grow if the water is not maintained properly. People can become infected after breathing mist containing the bacteria. The disease does not spread from person to person.

Hot tubs in commercial day spas or massage parlors generally require health permits and are regularly inspected by CCH. The tub at Zen Day Spa did not have a permit and was never inspected by CCH.

Given the preliminary laboratory results, CCH today issued an abatement order declaring the business a public nuisance and ordering it to contract for professional cleaning of the affected space and removal and disposal of the hot tub within 30 days to ensure the elimination of legionella. The business may not reopen until re-inspected by CCH.

CCH will be in communication with civic partners, such as municipal code enforcement programs, about investigating other spas and massage parlors across the county to ensure that those with hot tubs also have proper health permits to operate.

“Proper maintenance of hot tubs and pools is becoming increasingly important, both for businesses and private citizens who own tubs, as we continue to experience climate change,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County health officer. “Higher temperatures make growth of legionella and bacteria more likely, and more prolific, in water that is not properly treated.”

Anyone can use CCH’s swimming pool and spa inspection database to see recent inspection results of permitted public pools and hot tubs in Contra Costa County.

People who suspect an establishment is operating a public spa without a health permit can file a complaint online or by phoning 925-608-5500. Links to both the database and complaint form are available at cchealth.org/eh.

Information about which pools and spas need permits, as well as advice and instructions about proper maintenance, are available at ccheath.org/eh/recreational-health.