Participated in at least two armed robberies of letter carriers, one in Antioch and one in San Francisco

Enforcement actions are coupled with announcement of $150,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of additional suspects

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez announced today that multiple arrests have been made in cases involving the interference with delivery of the U.S. mail. The announcement was made at a press conference held this morning at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.

The theft of postal keys, break-ins of postal vehicles, assaults on letter carriers, and various other criminal acts involving interference with delivery of the mail and the alleged illegal possession of personally identifying information were all discussed at the press conference. According to U.S. Attorney Ramsey, defendants in each case now are facing severe federal penalties that make clear their alleged crimes were not worth the consequences. (See surveillance video released by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service of the alleged suspects, here and here)

“In each of the cases I will discuss,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey, “the government alleges the defendants have violated federal criminal laws and, as a consequence, federal agents and local law enforcement has tracked them down . . .. The penalties for these crimes can be sobering.”

Inspector in Charge Nuñez reinforced the U.S. Attorney’s remarks and announced that the reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of any individual who robs or assaults a postal worker is now $150,000.

“There is no more important mission for us as federal agents than protecting postal workers from crime and violence,” said Inspector in Charge Nuñez. “To any copycats or wannabes out there who might consider robbing a postal worker, I ask you to consider the years you will face in federal prison, the price on your head, and that postal inspectors will not stop hunting you. The proceeds of this crime are not worth your freedom.”

U.S. Attorney Ramsey stated that most of the cases involved the theft of specialized postal keys that often grant access to large mailboxes or mail storage facilities. Holding one such postal key in his hand, U.S. Attorney Ramsey explained that federal laws have been “carefully crafted to protect the sanctity of the mail, including the sensitive information we entrust to the mail system; the safety of the federal employees and contractors who deliver the mail; and the federal property that is used to ensure mail delivery.” He then went on to describe how three of the defendants are alleged to have violated the law as follows:

•    Robert Devon Nicholson Bell, Jr., 19, of Antioch, Calif., is alleged to have participated in at least two armed robberies of letter carriers, one in Antioch and one in San Francisco. Allegations in the criminal complaint filed against the defendant describe Bell’s use of mail keys to steal mail from blue mailboxes. According to a criminal complaint, Bell was found in Antioch in possession of robbed postal keys, a substantial quantity of stolen mail, a fraudulent USPS ID with his picture, and stolen and counterfeit checks. He now faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison for the unlawful possession of the postal key, as well as 25 years for each of the armed robberies. (Case No. 23-mj-71439 MAG)

•    Anthony Medina, 42, of American Canyon, Calif., is alleged to have unlawfully possessed seven mail keys. According to the complaint, officers with the San Francisco Police Department were attempting to perform a traffic stop when the defendant attempted to flee. Officers arrested the defendant and, in addition to the keys, defendant is alleged to have possessed credit cards in the names of other individuals, images of suspected stolen mail, and access codes for an apartment complex in San Francisco. Medina now faces 10 years in prison for each violation of 18 U.S.C. section 1704—the unlawful possession of the postal keys, as well as possible prosecution for unlawful possession of mail and credit cards. (Case No. 23-mj-71443 MAG)

•    Derek Hopson, 33, of Oakland, Calif., is alleged to have stolen mail and postal keys in two separate incidents that occurred in June of 2023. The complaint alleges the San Francisco Police Department responded to a burglary in progress at a residence in the Mission District of San Francisco when officers encountered the defendant in possession of several postal keys. Hopson also allegedly used a mailbox key to gain access to mailboxes at a residential complex in the Presidio of San Francisco. He now faces a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison for violating 18 U.S.C. sections 1704 and 1706. (Case No. 23-mj-71403 MAG)

Indictments and criminal complaints merely allege that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Further, in addition to the prison terms described, as part of any sentence following conviction the court may order defendants to serve an additional term of supervised release to begin after a prison term, additional fines, and restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The prosecution of these cases are the result of investigations by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Another stolen Kia found overturned at Antioch Skatepark Thursday

By Allen D. Payton

During a Pittsburg Police pursuit of a stolen Kia the driver crashed the vehicle at Somersville Towne Center in Antioch Friday Oct. 6, 2023. Antioch Police assisted Pittsburg PD with a foot pursuit of the suspect. The driver was taken into custody. According to mall security a female passenger who ran from the car was able to flee through the mall.

Another stolen Kia was discovered by Antioch Police overturned after being driven over ramps at the Antioch Skate Park in Prewett Family Park Thursday morning Oct. 5.

About six Kias and Hyundais stolen each day in Antioch. Eight were recovered in just the last three days and the drivers and passengers were all ages 13 to 16.

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Juan Valentin Manriquez, 21, of Antioch, was sentenced today to three years and eight months in prison for unlawful dealing in firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, co-defendant Andrew Jace Larrabure-Tuma used Snapchat to advertise narcotics and guns for sale. Law enforcement used undercover officers and a confidential informant to buy guns from Tuma. Tuma of Sacramento was 19 years old and could not legally purchase a gun in the state of California. Tuma ultimately introduced the informant working for law enforcement to his gun supplier, Manriquez. During the course of the following month, Manriquez sold the informant nine guns in exchange for cash.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sacramento Police Department, and the Western El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee prosecuted the case.

Tuma pleaded guilty to unlawful dealing and manufacturing firearms and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Speeding driver of car determined at fault

By Allen D. Payton

A 63-year-old Bay Point man riding a motorcycle on Deer Valley Road was rear-ended by a black sedan near the Prewett Ranch Road intersection in Antioch, at 2:08 p.m. Thursday afternoon. As an AMR ambulance was on its way to Kaiser medical center with a patient inside the driver witnessed the collision. But the ambulance was not involved in the collision. Antioch Police officers in the area and AMR personnel immediately performed CPR.

The motorcyclist was transported to the hospital with major head trauma where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Two pickup trucks were also struck in the accident, with the sedan striking one and the motorcycle hitting the other after the first impact. The driver of the sedan remained at the scene and cooperated with Antioch Police Officers. An officer on the scene said she was emotionally distraught and had a difficult time communicating what happened. It was determined she was at fault as numerous witnesses claimed she was speeding.

The driver has not yet been arrested as the police must do an inspection of her car before they can file a case with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

Some of the roads leading to the intersection were closed for several hours causing those driving to Kaiser to make a detour through nearby neighborhoods. The roads were cleared and reopened about 7:20 p.m.

Antioch Police arrested two of three juveniles suspected of stealing at least two cars following multiple reports of erratic driving and the cars crashing into each other on purpose Wednesday, Oct. 4 about 8:15 am.
Both stolen vehicles are wrecked. The subjects were detained on St. Frances Drive and Contra Loma Blvd.

Charged with 1 felony, 2 misdemeanors for being drunk, on probation for DUI, carrying concealed, loaded stolen weapon

By Brentwood Police Department

Last week, Brentwood Officers responded to the 1600 block of Ceylon Drive for a party complaint. Our Dispatch received additional calls reporting there was a fight and someone had a gun.

When officers arrived, they saw several partygoers in the street, including an adult female who matched the description of the suspect with a gun.

The female, identified as 24-year-old Zyann Chablis Martin of Antioch, was found to be in possession of a loaded stolen gun. Martin who was heavily intoxicated at the time officers contacted her, was also on probation for DUI. According to unicourt.com her DUI occurred early last year.

Martin was placed under arrest and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to recentlybooked.com, Martin was charged with one felony and two misdemeanors: 25400(C)(2) PC – carrying a concealed stolen weapon (F), 496(A) PC – receiving/etc. known stolen property (M) and 647(F) PC – disorderly conduct alcohol (M). According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, as of Monday, October 2, 2023, she bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

At approximately 7:41 a.m. on October 1, 2023, Antioch Police Officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of W. 3rd Street. Inside the vehicle officers located a male subject who was in possession of a firearm. Officers gave commands to the subject who refused to comply with orders given. The subject attempted to flee in the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The subject abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot with the firearm in hand. Officers engaged with the subject and shots were fired. The subject was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

The subject currently has a warrant for his arrest for homicide which occurred earlier this year in the City of Antioch. Antioch Police Detectives along with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office and the Contra Costa County crime lab are conducting the investigation. All names will not be released at this time as this is an active investigation and pending notifications. All officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. No further information will be provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or 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.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police stopped a stolen Kia involved in at least four vehicle burglaries at E. 19th Street and Evergreen Avenue Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2023.

The vehicle fled and caused an accident. Officers chased three male subjects on foot and they were arrested in the Wells Fargo bank branch parking lot at 18th and A Streets.