Contra Costa Herald

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

Three-vehicle fatal collision on I-80 near Pinole Valley Road Wednesday morning

By Leave a Comment

Fourth fatal vehicle accident in Contra Costa, second on I-80, this month

By CHP Contra Costa

Yesterday morning, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at 5:27am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three-vehicle collision on westbound I-80, west of Pinole Valley Road. The events occurred as follows, a Yamaha R6 with a single rider was involved in a collision with a GMC Terrain. This initial collision caused the rider of the Yamaha to be ejected from the motorcycle where he was struck by a Ford Excursion with one occupant.

The rider of the Yamaha was transported from the scene by emergency services, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased later that morning. Both the driver of the Ford and the GMC did not claim injuries.

It’s the fourth fatal vehicle accident in the county, and the second three-vehicle fatality on I-80, this month. (See related article)

This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Four die in three fatal collisions in Contra Costa last weekend

By 9 Comments

Near Martinez, near El Sobrante, and near Hercules; Coroner releases identities of three from Brentwood, Martinez and San Pablo

By CHP – Contra Costa

Two die in solo vehicle fatality collision on SR-4 near Martinez

Saturday morning Oct. 2, 2021 at about 6:35am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on eastbound Hwy 4, east of McEwen Road. The vehicle (a blue GMC SUV) was traveling eastbound and left the roadway, went down an embankment and collided with a tree. The driver of the vehicle was seatbelted and suffered minor injuries. The two passengers of the vehicle were unrestrained and pronounced deceased at the scene. This collision is still under investigation, if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office released the identities of the deceased, 40-year-old Raymond L. Pattillo from Brentwood, and Holly J. Webster, aged 28 from Martinez.

Two vehicle fatal collision on San Pablo Dam Road near El Sobrante.

Also Saturday morning, Oct. 2, 2021 at around 11:15am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two vehicle collision on San Pablo Dam Road, north of Bear Creek Road. A red Toyota Tacoma, with one occupant, was traveling northbound and a white Honda Civic, with three occupants, was traveling southbound.

It appears the driver of the Honda was driving on the shoulder to pass traffic, lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the Toyota. The driver of the Honda suffered major injuries, the right front passenger suffered minor injuries and the left rear passenger suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Toyota was able to walk away with minor injuries. This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office released the identity of the deceased as 21-year-old Rodrigo J. Diaz-Reyes from San Pablo.

Three vehicle fatal collision on I-80 near Hercules

Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 2021 at 1:25am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three-vehicle collision on westbound I-80, west of SR-4. A Honda Accord with one occupant collided with the rear of a Toyota Yaris with two occupants. This initial collision caused both vehicles to spin out of control which ultimately left the Honda disabled and occupied in the lanes. A Lexus RX350 with one occupant approached the disabled Honda and collided with its side in a perpendicular manner.

The driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both occupants of the Toyota suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Lexus also suffered minor injuries. This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of family.

Please check back later for any updates.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Former Pinole Police officer charged for unlawful recording of sexual encounter with woman

By Leave a Comment

By Scott Alonzo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney

Former Pinole officer Anthony Vasquez during his oath of office ceremony in 2018. Source: Pinole PD

Former Pinole Police Officer Anthony Vasquez, a 24-year-old resident of Hercules, was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with one felony and one misdemeanor for the unlawful video recording of Jane Doe while he was having sex with her. The alleged violations occurred while Vasquez was employed by the City of Pinole. Vasquez has since resigned from the Pinole Police Department. Complaint Vasquez 09-27-21

Due to the sexual nature of this criminal complaint, our Office will not name the victim involved or describe her in any way. Vasquez recorded the victim without her consent. The defendant had a hidden camera in his bedroom at his home in Hercules that was used for this recording.

Our Office believes there are other potential victims related to Vasquez’s alleged conduct. Anyone with information regarding this investigation please call the DA’s Office, specifically Senior Inspector Steven Cheatham at 925-957-8761.

The case was referred to our Office to conduct a criminal investigation by the Pinole Police Department under the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident protocol. Pinole Police Department was contacted by a concerned individual about the incidents.

Case information: People v. Anthony Luciano Vasquez, Docket Number 02-335189-7

Four arrested in Richmond for illegal guns, one stolen, one loaded with extended magazine, drugs, driver for DUI

By 2 Comments

Illegal guns seized during traffic stop on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Photo: RPD

During Saturday morning traffic stop

By Richmond Police Department

PROACTIVE POLICING = SAFER STREETS!

Saturday morning, while patrolling the 23rd Street corridor, Officer McDonell saw a car driving without headlights, and conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.

Upon contacting the driver, Officer McDonell immediately noticed that the driver appeared to be driving under the influence (DUI). Furthermore, he could see open containers of alcohol and marijuana within the car, which was occupied by four other passengers.

During the course of his investigation, Officer McDonell located three illegal firearms within the car! Not only was one of the guns loaded with an illegal 32-round extended magazine, but a records check revealed that a second gun had been reported stolen out of another local jurisdiction.

The driver, who was under the age of 21, was determined to have been driving under the influence (DUI) with the four passengers in her car. RPD officers provided free rides to RPD jail, where the suspects were booked on multiple DUI, narcotics, and firearms-related charges.

We are relieved that this DUI driver, and the illegal firearms in her car, were intercepted before anyone was potentially injured or killed. We are proud of Officer McDonell’s proactive policing efforts to keep our community safe!

Richmond PD is committed to protecting our community, with a zero-tolerance approach if you are caught driving under the influence. Remember – buzzed driving is drunk driving; PLEASE plan ahead and designate a sober driver!

Death of man shot by police in Richmond was at “hands of another person, other than by accident”

By 5 Comments

Suspect’s van rams Oakland Police car on April 16, 2020 injuring two officers. Richmond PD video screenshot.

After pointing gun at police, rammed his car into theirs, injuring two Oakland officers

CORONER’S INQUEST JURY FINDING

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

Deceased kidnapping suspect Juan Ayon-Barraza. Photo by Vallejo PD

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 reached a finding in the April 16, 2020 death of 24-year-old Juan Carlos Ayon-Barraza of Vacaville. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

A suspect in the shooting of a Vallejo woman and dumping her body in the Oakland Hills, Ayon-Barraza led police on a chase to Richmond. The suspect pointed his firearm at pursuing officers. Multiple Oakland police officers and a Richmond police officer fired their weapons in defense of their and/or other lives. Simultaneously, the suspect vehicle crossed over into traffic on South 37th Street and Stege Ave. and collided with an Oakland police vehicle. (See Richmond PD video and related article for more details)

Two Oakland police officers were injured during the collision, both considered moderate and non-life threatening. The suspect sustained a fatal gunshot wound during this incident. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

An Oakland Police Officer on the ground in front of the suspect’s van after being one of two struck when he rammed their cars.

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

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Thought to be an assault of woman in Richmond was man attempting to save her life

By 1 Comment

Narcan kit. Photo: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

SWIFT RESPONSE SAVES A LIFE

Last night, an alert citizen called RPD after seeing a male driver hitting and holding down a female passenger, in the backseat of a car. Based on the Good Samaritan’s detailed information, Officer K. Shanks tracked down the car, being driven in the city’s Northern District, and conducted an enforcement stop to investigate the alleged assault.

Upon contact, Officer Shanks quickly realized that the pale, unresponsive woman in the backseat was actually suffering from a major medical emergency caused by a medication overdose. Recognizing the severity of the woman’s condition, Officer Shanks immediately retrieved a Narcan (naloxone) kit from her patrol car and administered the medication while awaiting the arrival of medical personnel.

Thankfully, the Narcan was effective in bringing the woman back to a responsive state, and she was later transported to the hospital to receive further medical treatment. According to the Narcan website, “NARCAN® Nasal Spray is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond.”

Thanks to the alert citizen’s observations, the coordination of information by RPD dispatchers, and the quick actions, assessment and medication administration by Officer Shanks, there is no doubt that a life was saved last night!

The availability of Narcan (naloxone) medication is made possible through a funded program administered by the California Department of Health Services. We are thankful for this collaboration that further ensures that Richmond police officers are always equipped and ready to serve our community!

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Richmond man Sentenced to 27 years in prison for 2018 first degree residential robbery in Brentwood

By Leave a Comment

Convicted felon with a two-decade history of violence, weapons violations, theft, attempted murder and resisting arrest.

By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

Last week, defendant Paul Simmons (Muscat) of Richmond was sentenced to 27 years in state prison by the Honorable John Cope for the first degree, residential robbery of a female victim. On August 12, 2021, a Contra Costa County jury found Simmons guilty as charged for two felonies. The second felony was first degree burglary with a person present– both offenses were committed in 2018. The jury also found true the enhancements listed in the first charge against Simmons, use of a firearm. (See related article)

“What the victim experienced that morning is anyone’s worst nightmare—the defendant put her behind the barrel of a handgun, in her own bedroom, just feet away from her one- and three-year-old daughters. The evidence was overwhelming—after once trying to take the life of victim’s husband, the defendant tracked her down, invaded her home, and forever robbed her family of their sense of safety. The victim’s bravery, the first-rate investigation by Brentwood and Livermore PD, the jury’s verdict, and the Court’s well-reasoned sentence may finally help this family begin to feel safe again in their own home,” Deputy District Attorney Amy Bailey stated. DDA Bailey prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

In the early morning of September 17, 2018, the victim woke up in her Brentwood home with her two young daughters when she noticed someone in her bathroom behind a curtain. She quickly realized the person in her bedroom was not her husband. The defendant was wearing a mask, armed with a handgun he stole from the victim’s closet. The defendant pointed the handgun at the victim and directed her downstairs. She was able to escape from him and she went up to her bedroom with her children to hide.

While the victim and her children hid in a closet, the defendant fled with multiple items from her home, including three of her husband’s firearms, an Apple Watch, Beats headphones, car keys and ammunition. The police investigation, conducted by the Brentwood Police Department, determined Simmons entered the victim’s garage first, then entered the home and eventually in the victim’s bedroom. The investigation also determined that Simmons searched for blueprints of the victim’s home days before he committed the robbery.

Five days later, the defendant was arrested by Livermore Police Department officers after he was inside a Rite Aid acting in a suspicious manner. The defendant was casing the Rite Aid and wearing a disguise and gave a fake name to the police. Police located some of the items from the victim’s home, including the victim’s husband’s handgun. The Livermore investigation also connected Simmons to a string of other burglaries in Livermore for which the defendant was convicted in Alameda County.

Five years before this robbery, the defendant tried to kill the victim’s then boyfriend, now husband in Livermore. Due to this shooting, the defendant was convicted of a serious felony, assault with a firearm. This 2014 conviction is a strike, and the judge imposed the strike during the sentencing of this case.

Case information: People v. Paul Victor Simmons (Muscat), Docket Number 05-200286-3.

San Pablo man pleads guilty to sexual coercion of 3-year-old girl

By Leave a Comment

Adalberto Borja Guardado. Photo: San Pablo Police

Recorded act on his cell phone

WARNING: Explicit sexual content

OAKLAND – Adalberto Borja Guardado pleaded guilty yesterday in Oakland federal court to enticement and coercion of a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.  (See related article)

In his plea agreement, Guardado, 67, of San Pablo, admitted that on September 9, 2019, a three-year-old girl visited his residence with her mother, who provided home health care to Guardado’s elderly mother.  Guardado agreed to watch the girl while the girl’s mother provided the home care in another part of the residence.  Guardado admitted in his plea agreement that within a few minutes of watching the girl, he pulled down the girl’s pants and touched her vagina with his fingers.  He further admitted that he used his cell phone to record his touching of the girl’s vagina.

Guardado was charged by criminal information in federal court on June 10, 2021, with enticement and coercion of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b).  The penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) is a maximum imprisonment term of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of ten years, and a fine of $250,000.  However, any sentence imposed by a court will occur only after the court’s consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Guardado’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 11, 2022, in United States District Court in Oakland before the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, United States District Judge.  Guardado remains in custody while awaiting his sentencing.

Jonathan U. Lee is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Leeya Kekona, Kay Konopaske, and Kathleen Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the San Pablo Police Department.

 

Con Fire announces multiple pre-July 4th illegal fireworks arrests

By Leave a Comment

Undercover investigators seize hundreds of pounds of dangerous fireworks in sales busts

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

CONCORD, CALIF., July 4, 2021 – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced its fire investigators, working undercover, have made multiple fireworks-related arrests in the days leading up to the Independence Day holiday. The law enforcement actions resulted in hundreds of pounds of dangerous fireworks being removed from community streets.

In their continued efforts to take dangerous fireworks off our streets, Con Fire investigators have conducted the following fireworks enforcement actions in recent days:

Hercules fireworks bust on Friday, July 2, 2021. Photos: Con Fire

July 2, 2021 – Hercules Ave. at San Pablo Blvd., Hercules

Con Fire investigators researched and located a social media post advertising illegal fireworks for sale in Contra Costa County. Working undercover, they made contact with the seller and arranged a purchase in the City of Hercules. Surveillance was established at the seller’s residence during which the seller was seen transferring substantial amounts of fireworks from his garage to his vehicle.

En route to the intended meet, investigators initiated a stop, and identified the seller as a Hercules resident who led investigators to fireworks caches at his residence and the residence of another suspect also in possession of a significant amount of illegal fireworks.

In total, 157 pounds of fireworks were confiscated from the two locations

Both individuals were cited on scene. The names of the involved individuals are not being released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Brentwood Blvd. fireworks bust on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Photo: Con Fire

July 3, 2021 – 8000 block of Brentwood Boulevard, Brentwood

Con Fire investigators researched and located a social media post advertising illegal fireworks for sale in Contra Costa County. Working undercover, investigators contacted the seller who was identified to be in the City of Brentwood.

After coordination with East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, a purchase was arranged. Investigators established surveillance at the location arranged. Meeting with the seller, investigators confirmed illegal fireworks were being sold and detained the seller. The illegal fireworks were confiscated, and the seller was issued a citation on scene.

Century Oaks, Brentwood fireworks bust on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Photos: Con Fire

July 3, 2021 – 1600 block Century Oaks, Brentwood

Following an investigative lead, working in cooperation with Brentwood Police, undercover Con Fire investigators made contact with a resident of Antioch. This individual confirmed the tip Con Fire had obtained, offering illegal fireworks for sale. The seller insisted on meeting at a location within the City of Brentwood, where investigators established surveillance ahead of the meet. Meeting with the seller, investigators confirmed illegal fireworks were being sold and detained the seller.

During the investigation, it was learned additional fireworks were stored at the suspect’s home in Antioch. A search of that home recovered additional fireworks. In total, 101 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated and the seller was issued a citation.

Arrested for fireworks sales was Gabriel Ramirez, 25, a resident of Antioch.

Con Fire investigators continue to work to remove dangerous fireworks from our communities’ streets, along with putting those who traffic them, out of business. Residents can help them in this important public safety mission by reporting illegal fireworks sales to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON.

Use of fireworks of any type is illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during these drought conditions. Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report this to their local law enforcement at 1-833-885-2021 and to report all fires immediately to 911.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight fireworks crime across the county by reporting all fireworks sales to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.

Con Fire announces multiple illegal fireworks arrests ahead of Independence Day holiday

By Leave a Comment

Fireworks seized in June 11, 2021 fireworks sales busts in Pittsburg. Photos: ConFire

Undercover investigators seize thousands of dollars’ worth of dangerous fireworks in Pittsburg, San Pablo, Antioch and Concord

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced, Tuesday, its fire investigators, working undercover, have made multiple fireworks-related arrests in June resulting in large quantities of dangerous fireworks being removed from community streets.

In their continued efforts to take dangerous fireworks off our streets, Con Fire investigators have conducted the following fireworks enforcement actions in recent days:

June 11, 2021 – Multiple Locations, Pittsburg

Con Fire investigators conducted an undercover buy of illegal fireworks in the City of Pittsburg, with the initial purchase leading to two additional residences in Pittsburg with several thousand dollars’ worth of fireworks confiscated at each residence. The names of those involved are being withheld pending ongoing investigation.

Fireworks seized in June 15, 2021 fireworks-caused apartment fire in San Pablo.

June 15, 2021 – Crestwood Drive, San Pablo

Fire investigators made a fireworks-related arrest in relation to a fireworks-caused fire on an apartment balcony in the 15000 block of Crestwood Drive, San Pablo. A 16-year-old resident of San Pablo was arrested for Fire to Inhabited Structures (PC § 452(b)) and Possession of Dangerous Fireworks (California Health and Safety Code § 12700). Additional fireworks of the type that caused the fire were located and recovered from the apartment. The juvenile’s name is not being released because of his age. He was released to his parents’ custody after the arrest. Con Fire continues to investigate this case and will refer it to the District Attorney and Con Fire’s Youth Firesetter Program.

Fireworks seized in June 17, 2021 fireworks sales bust in Antioch.

June 17, 2021 – G Street at West 10th Street, Antioch

Based on an undercover buy of illegal fireworks by Con Fire investigators, Kevin Thomas, 25, a resident of Pittsburg, was arrested on charges of Unlawful Advertising of Any Business or Venture Involving Fireworks (California Health and Safety Code § 12670), Unlawful Sale, Transfer, Giving, Delivery or Other Conveyance of Title of Any Dangerous Fireworks (California Health and Safety Code § 12676), and Unlawful Possession of Dangerous Fireworks Without Holding a Valid Permit (California Health and Safety Code § 12677). The fireworks intended to be sold were seized as evidence. Thomas was identified as an active parolee, recently released from the California Department of Corrections, as the result of a robbery conviction. The seller was issued a criminal citation.

Fireworks seized in June 21, 2021 fireworks sales bust in Concord.

June 21, 2021 — Port Chicago Highway at Bates Ave., Concord

Con Fire investigators researched and located a social media post advertising illegal fireworks for sale in Contra Costa County. Acting undercover, investigators contacted the seller and arranged a purchase. Meeting with the seller, investigators confirmed illegal fireworks were being sold and arrested Thomas Daeshawn, 22, a resident of Concord, seizing 90 pounds of fireworks as evidence. The seller was identified as being on probation in Alameda County as a result of a robbery conviction. The seller was issued a criminal citation and Con Fire investigators are following up with Alameda County for a possible probation violation. Daeshawn was cited for Unlawful Sale, Transfer, Giving, Delivery or Other Conveyance of Title of Any Dangerous Fireworks (California Health and Safety Code § 12676), and Unlawful Possession of Dangerous Fireworks Without Holding a Valid Permit (California Health and Safety Code § 12677).

Con Fire investigators continue to work to remove dangerous fireworks from our communities’ streets, along with putting those who traffic them, out of business. Residents can help them in this important public safety mission by reporting illegal fireworks sales to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON.

Use of fireworks of any type is illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during these drought conditions. Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report this to their local law enforcement non-emergency line and to report all fires immediately to 911.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.