Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville.

On Friday morning, October 6, 2017 at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron. Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Stage Right Conservatory Theatre will hold auditions for the play It’s a Wonderful Life on October 16th & 17th at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.  Based on the film by Frank Capra and produced by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company, It’s a Wonderful Life both celebrates the season and the American philosophy of life:  that hard work, fair play, and the love and support of family and community will be rewarded.

It’s a Wonderful Life will be directed by Felicia Torrez.  There are many great roles available for actors ages 8-18. No experience necessary.  To receive your audition time, you must register online at www.srctgrp.org.  Performance dates will be December 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th & 10th.  There is a $75 participation fee if cast.  For more audition and show information call (925) 216-4613.

By Sergeant James Stenger 3604 Field Services Bureau

Early Saturday morning October 7, 2017, at about 1:00 AM, both Etheley and Cummings were located safely in San Francisco. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.

ORIGINAL POST: On Friday, October 6, 2017, 12-year-old Lariece Etheley and 11-year-old Davonye Cummings left their respective residences for school. Neither of them went to school and it is believed they got on BART and went to San Francisco. One of the two contacted their guardian and stated they were in San Francisco and that they would return home after the weekend. The two have no known associates/family in San Francisco.

It was the third day in a row that Cummings and Etheley have run away from home. The first day they were found in the City of Pittsburg and the second day they were found at a park in Antioch. We are asking for the public’s help in locating the two girls.

There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Ruben Paez. Photo courtesy of APD

By Sergeant Matthew Koch, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 at 12:21 pm, Antioch Police officers responded to the Wells Fargo Bank located at 1715 ‘A’ Street on a reported robbery attempt. Wells Fargo Bank reported the responsible had passed a note to the teller and demanded money. The responsible fled the bank on foot prior to obtaining any money.

Responding officers located a suspect matching the responsible’s description in the 100 block of E. 18th Street. Officers contacted 41-year-old Ruben Paez, who was positively identified as the responsible in the robbery. Paez was later booked in the Martinez Detention Facility for attempted robbery.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH. This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

By Sergeant James Stenger 3604, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at about 7:37 PM, APD officers were dispatched to a local hospital for a 34-year-old male suffering a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his back. It was determined the shooting occurred in the Bonfare Market parking lot at 907 W. 10th Street. A witness was located and officers were able to identify a 31-year-old male as the person who shot the victim.

On Friday, Oct. 6 at about 9:12 AM, Pittsburg PD officers located the 31-year-old suspect in their city. Antioch officers responded and took the male into custody. The male was later booked into the County Jail in Martinez. This case is still being investigated and no further information will be released regarding this case.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Aleli Avila. From CoCoSheriff

Homicide Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two suspects in the killing of 49-year-old Aleli Avila of San Francisco. Her body was found on a roadway on August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, in the area of 500 Camino Diablo Road in Byron. (See related article)

Detectives on Tuesday arrested 44-year-old Alex Estrada of Antioch. He was arrested in Pittsburg. Estrada was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. The D.A.’s Office has since formally charged him. Estrada is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. 

Friday morning Detectives arrested 60-year-old Rodolfo Manalo of San Francisco. He was arrested in Daly City. Manalo was booked on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Detectives worked continuously on the Avila murder investigation. They interviewed numerous people, collected evidence, and followed up on all leads. They were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Estrada and Manalo.

The investigation is ongoing. The motive is still being determined. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to:tips@so.cccounty.us.

By Sergeant James Stenger 3604 Field Services Bureau

On Friday, October 6, 2017, 12-year-old Lariece Etheley and 11-year-old Davonye Cummings left their respective residences for school. Neither of them went to school and it is believed they got on BART and went to San Francisco. One of the two contacted their guardian and stated they were in San Francisco and that they would return home after the weekend. The two have no known associates/family in San Francisco.

It was the third day in a row that Cummings and Etheley have run away from home. The first day they were found in the City of Pittsburg and the second day they were found at a park in Antioch. We are asking for the public’s help in locating the two girls.

There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

In the historic Casino Building, next to Waldie Plaza.