Suspects drive wrong way; assistance from multiple agencies includes two helicopters, Sheriff’s K-9
43-year-old from Oakland has history of arrests
By Lafayette Police Department
On Tuesday afternoon, June 2, 2026, at about 2:13, Lafayette police officers responded to a business on the 3500 block of Mt. Diablo Blvd. for a report of two shoplifters who stole items and then fled in a silver-colored Honda.
On Pleasant Hill Road, the suspect vehicle drove past a Lafayette Police officer who attempted to stop the car. The Honda fled leading the officer on a pursuit which the officer terminated and pulled over when the suspect vehicle drove north in the southbound lanes.
The officer later came upon a collision involving the Honda and another vehicle a short distance away. The suspects fled on foot.
Officers from the Orinda Police Department and deputy sheriffs from Valley Station responded to set up a perimeter and help search for the suspects. Helicopters from the California Highway Patrol and East Bay Regional Park District Police also provided assistance.
Pleasant Hill Road was closed at Springhill Road and Green Valley Drive.
A Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office police K-9 located one suspect who was taken into custody and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Another suspect remains outstanding. The two occupants in the car that was struck by the suspect vehicle were taken to a local hospital as a precaution.
According to a report on X (Twitter) by Henry K. Lee of KTVU FOX 2, the business is the BevMo and William Ware, age 43, was arrested.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 210-pound William Pierr Ware, born 9/26/1982 is Black and being held in the West County Detention Facility on no bail.
According to localcrimenews.com, he lives in Oakland and has a history of arrests dating back to 2021 by multiple agencies for crimes including grand theft, organized retail theft, burglary, receiving stolen property, evading with wanton disregard for safety and resisting, obstructing and/or delaying a peace officer.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Lafayette Police Department at (925) 284-5010. Tips can be emailed to: 94549tip@gmail.com.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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