By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On June 17th, 2022, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant District Director for San Jose Alberto Raymond formalize a partnership to combat wage theft and protect workers’ rights.

Both agencies commemorate the agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the District Attorney’s Office in Martinez. The MOU means the DA’s Office will be devoting resources to prosecute criminal wage theft cases to curtail labor trafficking, unfair business practices, payroll tax evasion, and wage and hour violations. To do this, District Attorney Becton will create a Workplace Justice Unit that’s committed to a fair and equitable workplace.

Becton noted, “While the DA’s Office and the Department of Labor have had an informal relationship on human labor trafficking and wage theft cases since 2014, this Memorandum of Understanding marks the start of a formal five-year partnership to continue our efforts to seek justice for victims of crime.”

Wage theft affects victims in various ways – and at all income levels. Some workers are denied overtime or are paid less than the minimum wage per hour. Some employers also refuse to pay bonuses, vacation pay, or reimbursement of business expenses. According to investigations by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division in 2021, U.S. workers were denied over 230-million dollars in back pay.1

“Cooperation between federal and local agencies is critical in the fight against all forms of wage theft here in Contra Costa County and elsewhere in the country,” Assistant District Director Raymond said. “The formal renewal of this longstanding partnership highlights our determination and commitment to combat wage theft and to hold their perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Wage theft is a felony punishable by up to three years in jail. Employers caught stealing from their employees may be personally liable for unpaid wages and face criminal asset forfeiture actions.2

In addition to investigating and prosecuting cases, both agencies will conduct community outreach programs to inform the public about reporting wage theft — as well as provide resources for employers to help them follow labor and payroll tax laws.

If you are a victim of wage theft, call 1-866-4-USWAGE or contact the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office at: DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org.

1 U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Labor Division (FY 2021) data found a total of $234,280,603.96 in back pay was owed to workers.

2 Pursuant to PC section 186.11

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Safford, there were three shooting incidents in the city on Friday and Saturday. No one was injured.

There was a shooting on Friday, June 24 8:37pm. The victim was at home with her young children when she heard shots from the area of 7-11 on the corner of Buchanan Road and Gentrytown Drive. An upstairs window to their home was later discovered to be broken and officers located a bullet inside a closet to the home. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, June 25 at 2:49am, Officers were dispatched to the area of Greystone Court for multiple calls of shots fired after a loud argument was heard. When officers arrived, they located several spent casings in the area. There were no victims, and the investigation is ongoing

Then again on Saturday, June 25, at 4:36pm Officers responded to shots fired in the area of Spanos Way for numerous reports of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and located numerous spent casings. There were no witnesses, video or reported injuries and the investigation is ongoing.

Suspect has record of arrests over past three years

By Darryl Safford, Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer

While you were hopefully enjoying family time on a warm summer’s day, your officers were busy getting illegal firearms off the street, Sunday morning, June 26, 2022.

Both our Blue Day Shift and Blue Graveyard crews teamed up for a probation search of a known subject that was selling firearms out of his apartment. With great investigative work by Officer Milner, they were able to develop leads on their target that subsequently led to the recovery of a stolen Glock pistol, a second loaded Glock that was illegally possessed, a large quantity of Xanax pills, and about five pounds of marijuana.

William Ponce-Ramirez, a 21-year-old Hispanic male out of Antioch was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in February 2019 by the Chico PD for possession of alcoholic beverage by a minor, in November 2020 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for WARRANT – Warrants Or Holds Only, 29800(A)1 – Addict in Possession of Firearm, 25850A – Carrying Loaded Firearm On Person Or In Vehicle While In Public Place, 25400(A)1 – Carry Concealed Weapon in Vehicle, 25850C6 – Carry Loaded Firearm When Not the Registered Owner and 27545 – Unlicensed Sale/Loan Trade Of Firearm. Ponce-Ramirez was also arrested, last July, again by the Sheriff’s Department for WARRANT – Warrants Or Holds Only.

The Antioch Police Department is dedicated to the reduction of gun violence in our community. With the assistance of our UAV, CNT, SWAT team, and Gang Unit the streets of our city are a little safer. Thank you to community for your ongoing and constant support. We appreciate you #safestreets #gunviolenceprevention.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Darryl Saffold, Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer

While conducting routine patrol in the area of A Street and Railroad Avenue, Officer Tom Smith conducted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle. While talking to the occupants, Officer Smith noticed a rifle sitting near the feet of the front passenger. After detaining the occupants and making the scene safe, Officer Smith retrieved the rifle and determined that it was a realistic looking AR-15 BB gun.

No arrests were made.

We want to take this time to discuss how dangerous it can be for people to display an imitation firearm in public. Besides the fact that it is against the law (Penal Code section-12556), it is very difficult to distinguish that they are not real weapons.

There is certainly a time, place, and manner in which these novelties can be enjoyed and used safely. Though, having them present during the commission of a crime or being used to commit a crime, is not it.

Please remember to be kind to one another.

 

The Antioch Police Department is hosting a series of Community Forums held at different locations throughout the City. This is an opportunity for the community to have open and meaningful conversations with Interim Police Chief Dr. Steven Ford and Officers in the department.

The second Community Forum will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 6PM-7:30PM at Delta Bowl, 3300 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch.

By Allen D. Payton

Business owners in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown alerted others about a police action at a retail location on W. Second Street, Thursday morning.

According to Danville Police Chief Allan Shields, “at 11:13 am Danville officers served an arrest and a search warrant at 412 W. 2nd Street, a store front but not currently operating as a business. The warrant stemmed from a residential burglary that took place in the Town of Danville on April 9, 2022.”

Danville officers arrested Eddie Martinez, male, age 45 out of Antioch for the arrest warrant for burglary.

Asked what was stolen, Shields responded, “We don’t usually list the property that’s stolen.”

“In lieu of booking Mr. Martinez at the jail, he was admitted to the hospital on an unrelated issue. It had nothing to do with the arrest, today,” the chief continued.

Danville officers will be forwarding the case to the District Attorney and requesting prosecution for the original burglary case.

Asked if Martinez resisted arrest, Shields simply said “no.”

Danville Police were assisted by Sheriff’s Deputies and Antioch Police Officers, including a K-9 unit. But the police dog was not deployed.

Asked what happens after Martinez is released from the hospital, Shields said, “if the DA decides to file charges, they can issue him a notice to appear in court or another arrest warrant.”

Missing Oakley woman believed dead, ex-boyfriend, a fugitive shot and killed Wednesday

Police assisted by video from surveillance cameras, GPS in her car

Investigation and search continue, reward increased to $100,000

“…our daughter will remain alive in our minds and our hearts. We will continue to search for her until we find her.” – Gwyn Gabe, Alexis’ father

By Allen D. Payton

The case of missing Oakley woman Alexis Gabe, last seen in Antioch by her ex-boyfriend on Jan. 26, took a sad turn today as Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard announced she is believed to be a victim of a homicide and her ex-boyfriend, a suspect and wanted fugitive who fled to Washington state, was killed yesterday by officers following his attack on them.

“Our joint investigation has led us to believe that…Marshall Curtis Jones, a 27-year-old male resident of Antioch killed Alexis at his home on or about Jan. 26,” Beard stated during a press conference today, Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Last week, Oakley and Antioch police presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office who filed murder charges against Jones on May 26. Gabe has been missing since Jan. 26 and was last seen by Jones at his house on Benttree Way in Antioch. (See related articles here, here and here)

A post on the City of Oakley Facebook page on Thursday reads:

“The ex-boyfriend of Alexis Gabe, Marshall Curtis Jones, was killed yesterday (June 1, 2022) by members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force as they attempted to arrest him in Washington. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene after charging at officers with a knife.

Oakley and Antioch police officers issued an arrest warrant on June 1, 2022, for Jones in Kent, Washington. The 27-year-old Antioch resident was charged with the murder of Alexis Gabe, the Oakley resident who disappeared in January 2022. Jones was the last person she saw before her disappearance.

Law enforcement officers from Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service were attempting to arrest Jones. As he produced a knife and charged at officers, marshals discharged their service weapons, killing Jones.”

The investigation is ongoing; more information will be released as it becomes available.

The $100,000 reward is still available and will be issued for information leading to the whereabouts of Alexis Gabe. Call (925) 625-7009 or email alexistips@ci.oakley.ca.us with any information about the case.”

“We had no idea he was capable of doing something like this to her. We didn’t want him dead. We wanted to look him in the eye and ask him way, ask him ‘where is Alexis?’” – Gwyn Gabe

Oakley Police Press Conference

“This is still an open investigation”, said Chief Beard during the press conference. “Our search for Alexis has been a very vigorous one. We have literally searched for her on land, sea and air will continue to do so.”

“I must announce at this time, we believe Alexis Gabe is the victim of a homicide,” he continued. “We believe that homicide occurred in the city of Antioch. The members of the Antioch Police Department with officer of the Oakley Police Department.”

Part of what has led us to believe Alexis is the victim of a homicide is the examination of a large amount of digital and forensic evidence,” Beard stated. “In conjunction with that is there is the fact that there are no signs of life anywhere for Alexis.”

He spoke of the evidence including, “the cell phone case that was found” with the help of volunteers from the Polly Klass Foundation and contained Jones’ DNA.

Additional evidence included “thousands of phone records…and an image of Marshall Jones being captured on several surveillance cameras that led him on a path from where Alexis’ vehicle was dumped in Oakley to his home on Benttree Lane on the evening of January 26, 2022,” the chief continued. “Further digital evidence was the fact that Alexis’ vehicle was equipped with a GPS system. An examination of that system showed a direct path from leading that vehicle from Marshall Jones’ house to where it was dumped on the night of Jan. 26, 2022.”

“Our joint investigation has led us to believe that…Marshall Curtis Jones, a 27-year-old male resident of Antioch killed Alexis at his home on or about Jan. 26,” Beard said. “Jones was very uncooperative during our joint investigation, and he has refused to speak with us, several times.”

Alexis’ Father Speaks

“What happened to Marshall was tragic and unexpected,” Gwyn Gabe, Alexis’ father said during the press conference with his wife, Rowena and their two sons by his side. “He was our daughter’s first love. They were together for three years. He became part of our family. We had no idea he was capable of doing something like this to her. We didn’t want him dead. We wanted him arrested to pay for his sins. We wanted to meet with him face to face. We wanted to look him in the eye and ask him way, ask him ‘where is Alexis?’”

“I know the police say our daughter’s gone,” Gabe continued. “But our daughter will remain alive in our minds and our hearts. We will continue to search for her until we find her.”

He then thanked the Oakley and Antioch police officers who assisted in the case.

“Oakley and Antioch PD have been working on this case for four months straight, with no stop. They invested so much, and they deserve all the credit. This is just in case someone else tries to schedule a press conference and takes full credit for what went down yesterday and the past four months.”

Contra Costa DA Becton held a press conference Thursday afternoon about the case. (See below)

Oakley Police Press Release

Following is the information provided in the Oakley Police Department’s press release about the case: “The ex-boyfriend of Alexis Gabe, Marshall Curtis Jones, was killed yesterday (June 1, 2022) by members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force as they attempted to arrest him in Washington. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene after charging at officers with a knife. Oakley and Antioch police officers issued an arrest warrant on June 1, 2022, for Jones in Kent, Washington. The 27-year-old Antioch resident was charged with the murder of Alexis Gabe, the Oakley resident who disappeared in January 2022. Jones was the last person she saw before her disappearance. Law enforcement officers from Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service were attempting to arrest Jones. As he produced a knife and charged at officers, marshals discharged their service weapons, killing Jones.

Murder Suspect in the Alexis Gabe Case Killed Following Attack on Law Enforcement Officers The ex-boyfriend of Alexis Gabe, Marshall Curtis Jones, was killed yesterday (June 1, 2022) by members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force as they attempted to arrest him in Washington. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene after charging at officers with a knife. Oakley and Antioch police officers issued an arrest warrant on June 1, 2022, for Jones in Kent, Washington. The 27-year-old Antioch resident was charged with the murder of Alexis Gabe, the Oakley resident who disappeared in January 2022. Jones was the last person she saw before her disappearance. Law enforcement officers from Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service were attempting to arrest Jones. As he produced a knife and charged at officers, marshals discharged their service weapons, killing Jones. The investigation is ongoing; more information will be released as it becomes available.”

Contra Costa DA Holds Press Conference Thursday Afternoon, Issues Statement

On Thursday afternoon, Contra Costa DA Diana Becton held a press conference at her office about the case and issued a statement about the case.

Following is the press release from Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo:

“Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton filed a murder charge (PC 187) on May 26, 2022, against Marshall Curtis Jones, III for the killing of 24-year-old Oakley resident, Alexis Gabe. Yesterday evening, in Kent, Washington, Jones was shot and killed by law enforcement personnel during an attempted fugitive apprehension.

24-year-old Gabe was missing since January 26, 2022, after last being seen in Antioch. Due to the nature and scope of the investigation, Oakley Police requested investigative assistance from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and Antioch Police Department.

On April 25, 2022, Antioch Police Department authored a wiretap affidavit, which was signed by District Attorney Diana Becton, and presented to the Contra Costa Superior Court for approval. A wire and electronic interception of Jones’ cellular phone concluded on May 24th. Along with the phone intercept recordings, surveillance footage, cell data, and DNA evidence, investigators made a criminal referral to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on May 25th.

After the criminal complaint was filed on May 26th, the DA’s Office, Antioch Police, Oakley Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Washington State authorities coordinated to apprehend Jones – who, during the course of the investigation, fled from Antioch to Kent, Washington.

On June 1, 2022, a fugitive task force attempted to arrest Jones inside an apartment where he was in hiding. Police announced themselves, and Jones reportedly opened the front door to the apartment and charged at officers while wielding a knife. He was shot by authorities. Police took immediate life-saving measures, but Jones died at the scene.

24-year-old Gabe has been missing since January 26, 2022, after last being seen in Antioch. Members of her family found her blue Infinity coupe about a mile from Gabe’s home on Trenton Street near Carrington Drive in Oakley the next day. The keys were still inside, and the vehicle was unlocked. Shortly thereafter, the Oakley Police Department started an investigation into the highly suspicious circumstances of Gabe’s disappearance.

Gabe’s former boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones, III became a focus of the investigation – which culminated in the wire and electronic interception of his cellular phone. Jones and Gabe had reportedly broken up in November 2021 but saw each other from time to time. Jones confirmed to investigators that he and Alexis were together at his home on Benttree Way in Antioch until 9 o’clock on the night she went missing, but that he witnessed her leaving his residence in the blue Infinity coupe she arrived in earlier.

Today, District Attorney Diana Becton said, ‘It’s been an emotionally wrenching time for the family, friends, and community. I, along with the police agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring justice to the Gabe family, wish to express our deepest condolences for the loss of their beloved daughter. My office will continue to seek justice in finding Alexis so her family can have a sense of closure to this tragic loss of life.’”

 

 

 

 

Cutline. Marshall Tucker in image from officer body cam footage. Source: Oakley PD

 

 

 

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff & Allen D. Payton

On Monday, May 30, 2022, at about 3:53 PM, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol was dispatched to a report of a body that was floating on the water on the San Joaquin River near the Antioch marina boat ramp. Marine patrol deputy sheriffs arrived and recovered the body, an adult male. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The Coroner’s Division took custody of the body.

An autopsy was conducted today, Tuesday, May 31. The cause of death is listed as asphyxia due to drowning. The Coroner’s Division is still trying to identify the man.

Antioch resident Ronn Carter who was out for a bike ride on Memorial Day afternoon said Antioch Police were investigating a body found in the water near the boat ramp at the Marina and part of the boat ramp was taped off. As of 5:00 p.m. the body had not been recovered, according to Antioch Police Officer Kendall.

Another Antioch resident, Michael Mello said he saw three police cars at the Amtrak station, two on the west side of Monica’s Riverview as he was driving into the restaurant’s parking lot and three or four more cars in the boat ramp parking lot.

Carter later said he saw law enforcement personnel in a boat remove the body from near Monica’s Riverview. But the boat carrying the body – which wasn’t visible – didn’t use the boat ramp near the marina because there were too many people nearby. Instead, it turned and headed east.

The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat went to another location to meet the coroner.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.