Including 7 traffickers in Contra Costa County; Contra Costa DA’s Office, Pittsburg PD participate
By Lt. Joshua Singleton, Task Force Commander, Human Trafficking Task Force, Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office
Days after the Super Bowl, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force reported its own statistics: numbers that showed enhanced investigations resulted in the arrests of 29 traffickers and the recovery of 73 sex trafficking victims, including 10 minors. One of the victims, who was being trafficked in Oakland, was 12 years old.
Law enforcement operations were held throughout 11 Bay Area counties during the lead up to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Similar enforcement is being prepared for the deluge of fans coming to see the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament games at Levi’s Stadium between June 13 and July 1.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “Beyond football, the Super Bowl was a triumph of Bay Area law enforcement planning, organization, cooperation, and safety. Human trafficking is not a game, it’s a tragedy. However, our team was very successful. Close to 70 agencies effectively discouraged traffickers from exploiting the game and victims. For traffickers that still came to the game from all over the world with bad intentions, many ended up behind bars.”
The HTTF helped organize the efforts of 67 law enforcement agencies from Sacramento to Monterey.
For two weeks before the Big Game, the Task Force set up a command center in Sunnyvale populated with more than 20 analysts from various agencies, such as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the DA’s Crime Strategies Unit, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department, federal agencies, and partners from community-based organizations such as In Our Backyard, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The analysts worked on tips in real time and worked alongside agents in the field to do investigations and make arrests. Operations that often take weeks took minutes in the enhanced Human Trafficking Tactical Operations Center.
Launching almost 40 operations, investigators recovered 20 victims from San Mateo County alone. Seven traffickers were arrested in Contra Costa; six in Monterey and Solano counties. In Santa Clara County, seven victims were recovered, two traffickers arrested and a firearm was seized.
(Above) Video screenshots of body-worn camera of officer involved shooting of knife-wielding suspect, David Bahrami as he ran toward officers and after he was shot with both lethal and non-lethal rounds showing him still holding a knife. Source: Antioch PD. (Below) Bahram in a photo posted on his Facebook page on Sept. 17, 2024.
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office (CCCDAO) issued a public report on a use of force incident in Antioch that resulted in the shooting death of David Wali Bahrami on June 30th, 2025, and finds the officers acted in reasonable self-defense/defense of others.
When a law enforcement officer or civilian is shot, killed or dies during an interaction involving a Contra Costa County police agency, the District Attorney’s Office launches an independent investigation. When no criminal charges are filed, the District Attorney’s Office will publish a public report detailing the facts and explaining the legal reasoning for this decision.
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining public trust. When a fatal incident occurs, my office is committed to conducting a comprehensive, independent investigation and sharing our findings with the community in a detailed public report.”
The knife Bahrami was carrying during the incident. Source: Contra Costa DA’s report
As previously reported, at approximately 6:16 am on June 30th, 2025, Antioch Police Department Dispatch received multiple 911 calls from David Bahrami, who lived with his family in Antioch and had a history of mental illness. He told dispatch he was about to kill someone, gave his address, and hung up the phone.
Multiple Antioch Police Officers staged nearby and called Bahrami to open a line of communication and to de-escalate the situation. At approximately 7:40 am, he threatened to kill his neighbor if officers did not come to his house. As a result, officers asked him to come outside to draw him away from family members inside the home.
Emerging from his residence, Bahrami walked toward the officers’ location approximately four houses away. Officers ordered him to stop and get on his knees, but instead he pulled out a large kitchen knife from his waistband and began running toward them. One officer fired a single less lethal round, which had no effect.
Bahrami continued running in a semi-circular path, then changed course and ran toward the police with the knife in his hand. When he was approximately 15–20 feet away, officers discharged their firearms to prevent themselves from potentially suffering great bodily injury or death from an imminent knife attack. He sustained multiple gunshot injuries and fell to the ground with the knife still in his hand. Officers immediately began administering medical aid, but Bahrami died at the scene.
During this encounter, responding officers repeatedly attempted de-escalation tactics by staging nearby and establishing communication with Bahrami. When confronted with an armed individual, Antioch officers elected to use less-lethal force. Officers resorted to lethal force only when Bahrami continued to wield his knife in direct proximity to the officers. Under the applicable legal standards, the District Attorney’s Office has determined that the officers acted in lawful self-defense/defense of others.
About the Report
The report is the final step in the CCCDAO investigation of the Antioch Police Department’s officer involved fatal incident of David Wali BAHRAMI on June 30th, 2025. The CCCDAO and every law enforcement agency in Contra Costa County follows the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol (“the Protocol”)2 when investigating incidents where officers or civilians are shot, killed, or die during an encounter with law enforcement. Under the Protocol, the CCCDAO investigates all in-custody deaths in Contra Costa County for the purpose of making an independent determination of criminal liability. The sole purpose of the District Attorney investigation is to determine if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that an individual involved in the law enforcement involved fatality committed a crime.
Pursuant to the Protocol, immediately after an in-custody death, the involved law enforcement agency is required to notify the appropriate district attorney personnel. Once notified, trained and experienced members of the District Attorney’s Office respond to the scene and begin the criminal investigation. In addition, criminal investigators from the law enforcement agency involved in the incident and from the jurisdiction where the incident occurred, if different, respond to the scene as well. It is important to note that although these investigations happen simultaneously, each agency conducts its own independent investigation.
As part of the criminal investigation, law enforcement officers and civilians who witnessed the incident may be interviewed. Evidence is collected at the scene and may be submitted to the county crime lab for testing and analysis, in addition to any other relevant investigative work necessary to complete the investigation. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab responds to every incident and is responsible for evidence collection of all in-custody deaths.
During the course of the criminal investigation, an officer or deputy has the right to be represented by an attorney. They may voluntarily choose to provide a statement, physical evidence, or other relevant information during the criminal and administrative investigations. Under the law, neither an officer nor civilian can be compelled to give a statement as part of a criminal investigation. However, an officer may be compelled to provide a statement during the law enforcement agency’s administrative investigation only.
The report includes a timeline of the actions of Bahrami and each officer. Witnesses included Bahrami’s sister, brother, father and mother.
A copy of the report has been sent to the Antioch Police Department, the California Department of Justice and is available to the public on the Contra Costa District Attorney’s website. (WARNING: The report contains graphic images)
For sex trafficking, pimping, pandering and firearms offenses
21 agencies participate in 7-day “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild”in conjunction with January’s National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force wrapped a major statewide effort to contact survivors of human trafficking, apprehend their exploiters, and file charges against the exploiters’ offenses.
In conjunction with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, the Task Force collaborated with 21 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and five victim services provider partners for Operation Reclaim and Rebuild. The operation, active from January 25th through January 31st, 2026, conducted five separate anti-human trafficking operations throughout Contra Costa County. Their efforts produced 11 arrests of suspected exploiters for sex trafficking, pimping, pandering, and firearms offenses. Several other contacts resulted in new investigative leads and corroborating evidence in human trafficking cases.
“Operation Reclaim and Rebuild demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable members of our community and holding exploiters accountable,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “The arrests made during this week-long operation send a clear message: human trafficking will not be tolerated in Contra Costa County.”
Twenty survivors of human trafficking were identified, all of whom had the opportunity to speak with a specialized human trafficking victim advocate and were offered services. Through collaborative efforts across multiple jurisdictions, three youth survivors were recovered in these operations, and investigations against their suspected traffickers are rapidly advancing.
The three suspects arrested are 53-year-old Malcom Ali Scott of Patterson (born 7/30/1972), 40-year-old Damiano Andres Wilson of San Carlos (born 8/20/1985) and 38-year-old Keith Earnest Haywood of Antioch (born 1/1/1988). (See Haywood’s charging document)
Scott and Wilson were arraigned Wednesday in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez, and Haywood is scheduled to be arraigned today, Thursday, February 5th at 1:30 pm in Martinez. The offenses center on human trafficking of a minor for a sex act, pandering of a minor, lewd acts upon a child, and various allegations related to possession of a firearm by a felon.
“Our priority is supporting survivors, ensuring they receive the help they need, and bringing their exploiters to justice,” said Task Force Director Katrina Natale.
Participating agencies included, in alphabetical order: Brentwood Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Church World Services, City of Pittsburg Code Enforcement Division, Community Violence Solutions, Concord Police Department, Contra Costa County Children and Family Services, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Contra Costa County Major Crimes Task Force, Contra Costa County Probation Department, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Hercules Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Northern California Regional Intelligence Center, Pinole Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Richmond Police Department, San Pablo Police Department, Victim Witness Assistance Program (CCCDA) and Walnut Creek Police Department.
The Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Forceis co-led by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and Community Violence Solutions, a community-based 24-hour service provider for survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. Founded in 2018, the Task Force aims to eradicate all forms of human trafficking in Contra Costa County through collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts to identify and support victims of human trafficking, to hold traffickers accountable through effective prosecution, and to educate on and prevent human trafficking.
Suspect Details
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 295-pound Scott is Black and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $950,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 2 of Bay Superior Court in Richmond.
The five-foot, seven-inch tall, 155-pound Wilson is Black, and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $700,000 bail.
The six-foot, three-inch tall, 230-pound Haywood is Black and is also being held in the West County Detention Facility on the lower bail amount of $75,000.
According to recentlybooked.com, Wilson was arrested by Stockton Police on Jan. 29, 2025, for battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. and false impersonation of another: special circumstances.
Information on the other eight suspects arrested was requested.
5:00 PM 2/5/26 UPDATE: However, Asregadoo responded, “We can’t release the suspects who were arrested until law enforcement brings cases over for review and a charging decision is made.”
Anyone with information on suspected human trafficking (sex or labor) or related crimes is encouraged to make a report to your local law enforcement agency or the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Tip Line (925) 957-8658. Those in need of supportive services are encouraged to contact Community Violence Solutions’ 24-hour hotline 1 (800) 670-7273.
Case No. 02-26-00290 | The People of the State of California v. Malcom Ali Scott
Case No. 04-26-00572 | The People of the State of California v. Damiano Andres Wilson
Case No. 01-26-00385 | The People of the State of California v. Keith Earnest Haywood
Michael Anthony Leon during his 2012 campaign for Mayor of Antioch (Herald file photo) is charged with the 2015 murder of his wife Brenda Joyce Leon. Source: East Bay Times obituary photo.
Arraignment continued
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch resident, and former one-time candidate for mayor, Michael Anthony Leon faces more than 25 years to life in state prison for the murder of his wife, Brenda Leon, in 2015.
As previously reported, 67-year-old Michael Leon was taken into custody from his Antioch residence on January 22nd by the DA’s Office Bureau of Investigations after an investigation by the District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit.
According to the charging document signed on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Deputy District Attorney Satish Jallepalli on behalf of District Attorney Diana Becton, “states, on information and belief, that Michael Anthony Leon, Defendant, did commit a Felony, a violation of PC187(a), Murder, committed as follows:
“On or about September 28, 2015, in the County of Contra Costa, State of California, the crime of Murder in violation of PC187(a), a Felony, was committed in that MICHAEL ANTHONY LEON did unlawfully, and with malice aforethought murder Brenda Joyce Leon, a human being.
“The charges include the following ENHANCEMENT 1:
“PC12022.53(d): Special Allegation-Personal And Intentional Discharge Of A Firearm, Great Bodily Injury.
“It is further alleged as to Count 1 that said defendant, MICHAEL ANTHONY LEON personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun, which caused great bodily injury and death to Brenda Joyce Leon within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(d) also causing the above offense to become a serious felony pursuant to Penal Code section 1192.7(c)(8) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.5(c)(8).”
According to Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO, Ted Asregadoo, Leon’s “arraignment was continued to Feb. 10, 2026, at 1:30 pm in Martinez (Judge Goldstein; Department 6).”
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 190-pound Leon is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $1 million bail.
Michael Anthony Leon during his 2012 campaign for Mayor of Antioch (Herald file photo) and Brenda Joyce Leon in the photo from her 2015 obituary. Source: East Bay Times.
UPDATE:A 2012 candidate for Mayor of Antioch, Michael Leon accused of killing then 52-year-old Brenda Leon, held on $1 million bail
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged 67-year-old Michael Anthony Leon (born 7/17/1958) with the 2015 murder of his wife, Brenda Joyce Leon, who was 52 years old at the time of her death.
After an extensive investigation, the District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit determined that Brenda Leon’s death on September 28th, 2015, was an act of homicide. The investigation uncovered previously unknown digital evidence and new factual details that were central to the decision to file charges.
Michael Leon was taken into custody from his Antioch residence on January 22nd by the DA’s Office Bureau of Investigations. It was initially investigated in 2015 by Antioch PD. He is charged with murder under Penal Code Section 187(a) and personal use of a firearm causing death under Penal Code Section 12022.53(d). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
“Brenda Joyce’s family never lost faith that the truth would come to light,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “Today’s filing in Contra Costa Superior Court honors that perseverance and demonstrates that cold cases are never forgotten, regardless of how much time has passed.”
No press release about the incident was issued by Antioch Police at the time, nor was it included in the City Manager’s weekly report which offered the Department’s calls for service highlights for Sept. 24 – Oct. 1, 2015, as provided by then-Police Chief Allan Cantando. Efforts to reach Cantando to ask if he could recall why that occurred was unsuccessful prior to publication time.
2012 Candidate for Mayor of Antioch
8:00 PM UPDATE: It was discovered in the Herald’s archives that Michael Leon was a candidate for Mayor of Antioch in 2012 and a newcomer to politics, placing fourth behind Wade Harper, Gary Agopian and Don Freitas. At the time, his candidate statement showed he was a “Marketing Associate for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company.”
Later, during the campaign, Leon said he was a business owner and located it in Oakley.
Leon described himself as a “regular Joe” or “Joe the Plumber” type who was encouraged to run by his neighbors after he was featured on Channel 4 news for helping get rid of squatters and some problem Section 8 tenants from his neighborhood. (See related articles here, here and here)
According to her obituary, “Brenda Joyce Leon passed away Monday, September 28, 2015, at the age of 52. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Michael Leon and her two loving children, Michelle Wonders, and Monica Tagas. Brenda was born to James and Myrna Francis in Walnut Creek, CA, on August 28, 1963 – the sixth of nine beautiful children. She called Concord home for 36 years where she truly blossomed in life – obtaining her High School diploma from Carondelet, working for her father’s transportation company, Bay Area Piggyback, Inc., marrying her loving husband, and starting her family. Her greatest pleasure and ultimate solace came from being a doting grandmother to her grandchildren, Michelle Wonders’ daughter Audrey – age 4 and son Elliot – age 1 ½.”
1/25/26 UPDATE: According to an SFGate report, “Brenda’s two adult daughters had doubts from the start that their mother would kill herself. In 2021, they filed a wrongful death suit against a male killer named as ‘John Doe’ in court records. In the lawsuit, they claimed the killer faked a suicide note and staged the scene before police arrived.”
Michael Leon is set to be arraigned in court on January 26th at 1:30 pm in Martinez.
Case No. 01-26-00248 | The People of the State of California v. Michael Anthony Leon
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Suspect Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III was charged with homicide, kidnapping and criminal threats in the 2024 death of Raheem Coe. Photo: Antioch PD
Suspect Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III currently in San Quentin state prison on unrelated charges.
Previously arrested in 2022 for shooting, killing Antioch convenience store clerk, but DA Becton didn’t charge with murder
By Allen D. Payton
According to Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker of the department’s Investigations Bureau, “after an extensive investigation, the Antioch Police Department has solved the homicide of Raheem Coe, a 48-year-old Antioch homeless resident who was found deceased on May 15, 2024, near medical office buildings in the Country Hills Drive area.”
As previously reported, at approximately 7:19 AM, on that date, Antioch police officers responded to the 2200 block of Country Hills Drive to assist Contra Costa Fire on a reported male down on the sidewalk possibly in need of medical attention.
When officers arrived, they located a deceased male. The cause of death was unknown at the time. The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. After an autopsy and further investigation, the death was determined to be a homicide. The victim frequented the area where he was discovered.
As previously reported, independent reports from two sources claimed Coe’s death was believed to be caused by blunt force trauma, including to his head and chest.
At the time, local homeless advocate Andrew Becker, who knew Coe and had several interactions with him, said, “Raheem Coe was on the street for the last couple of years, in the Lone Tree-Deer Valley area. He’s had several interactions with City staff including being swept multiple times by Public Works and Code Enforcement.”
“We had several conversations about shelter and services, and he was seeking shelter,” Becker continued. “He did have contact with his family who are also local.”
Through the processing of evidence, witness interviews, and the review of video surveillance, detectives identified 23-year-old Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III as the suspect in this homicide. Jackson is currently in custody at San Quentin State Prison on unrelated charges.
The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which has filed charges against Jackson for PC 187 – Homicide, PC 207(a) – Kidnapping, and PC 422 – Criminal Threats. Jackson will be transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility pending future court proceedings.
Jackson was previously arrested for robbing an Antioch gas station convenience store and killing the 36-year-old clerk in November 2022. (See related articles here and here)
However, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced the following week that her Office declined to file murder charges in the case, based on the clerk’s actions and “upon an established law that clearly states a person cannot pursue another to retrieve stolen property once the threat of bodily injury or harm to the victim has subsided.”
According to localcrimenews.com, Jackson was also arrested by Antioch Police on May 25, 2024, for kidnapping, battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and threats of violence, and on Oct. 26, 2022, for vandalism: paint, cruelty to an animal and carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) of $323,500 to support a specialized prosecution team dedicated to alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases.
“We are grateful for this grant, which will allow us to focus specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving and making the roads in our community safer for everyone,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “Driving Under the Influence remains a significant danger on our roads. This funding strengthens our commitment to improving road safety and making sure justice is served effectively and efficiently.”
The specialized prosecution team will also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program (TSRP) to train other prosecutors and investigators and collaborate with law enforcement agencies on best practices for handling and managing driving under the influence (DUI) cases.
“Through focused prosecution efforts and strong partnerships, we are working toward a future where all people will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “Together, we’re holding impaired drivers accountable and encouraging safe, responsible choices that help build a culture where safety comes first.”
This is the first year the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has received funding from the OTS for a specialized DUI prosecution program. The grant program runs through September 2026.
Stolen merchandise recovered during the CHP’s “Operation Silent Night” targeting an organized retail theft ring. Photos: California Highway Patrol
Executed in Richmond, 3 other cities, recovers 44,140 stolen items worth more than $800K
12 from Oakland and 53-year-old El Sobrante woman who was previously arrested in 2023 for grand theft and organized retail theft
By Officer Ruben Jones, PIO, CHP Valley Division
SACRAMENTO — Thirteen suspects were arrested, and more than $800,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated, multi-agency operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California.
In September, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Valley Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) was alerted to a pair of retail theft suspects who stole merchandise in Placer County and at multiple other locations throughout the state. The Valley Division ORCTF includes investigators from the CHP, Sacramento Police Department and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
On October 1, the Rocklin Police Department conducted a traffic stop involving the suspects and requested assistance from the Valley Division ORCTF. During the investigation, the suspects provided information identifying individuals who were purchasing stolen merchandise from them and reselling it for profit. Investigators also learned the stolen goods were being distributed and sold at flea markets in Oakland, San Jose, Galt, Modesto and Stockton.
Based on this information, ORCTF investigators conducted surveillance operations that corroborated the suspects’ statements and established links among the theft suspects, those purchasing and reselling the stolen merchandise, and the flea-market distribution locations. Investigators subsequently obtained multiple search warrants covering six residences, three storage lockers, and one storage lot.
On December 11, a coordinated multi-agency enforcement effort, Operation Silent Night, was executed in Oakland, Richmond, San Leandro and Galt. The operation resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects. Investigators seized two firearms, more than $10,000 in cash, five vans, two passenger vehicles and two trailers. More than 400 boxes and 200 bags of stolen merchandise were recovered, including cosmetics, household goods, clothing, power tools, toys, alcohol, and diapers. All suspects were transported to the Placer County Jail for booking.
Stolen merchandise recovered. Photo: CHP
On December 12, Cal Expo provided an exposition hall to assist with the processing and cataloging of the recovered merchandise. In partnership with affected retailers, investigators documented a total of 44,140 stolen items valued in excess of $800,000.
The following are those who were taken into custody:
Bach Ngoc Thi Bui, 53, El Sobrante
Isaid Garcia Chapas, 41, Oakland
Irene Cruz Barragan, 35, Oakland
Daniela Cruz Barragan, 33, Oakland
Robert Lorenzo Luna-Varela, 34, Oakland
Jefferson Isaed Garcia-Rivera, 22, Oakland
Jennifer Garcia Cruz, 19, Oakland
Elan Rosales Montes, 35, Oakland
Claudia Ivet Cruz Barragan, 42, Oakland
Yolanda Carrillo Martinez, 45, Oakland
Ivan Miranda Espinoza, 33, Oakland
Yuridia Sandoval Ramirez, 35, Oakland
Eryn Wilfred Corea Guevara, 29, Oakland
“Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime. It impacts businesses, workers, and communities across California. This investigation highlights the strength of collaboration between law enforcement and our retail partners, and our commitment to holding organized theft networks accountable.”- CHP Valley Division Chief Tyler Eccles
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, the filing of criminal charges of organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit felony crimes, receiving stolen property, among numerous allegations against the 13 defendants.
The charges stem from numerous thefts that had occurred within Placer County that culminated in a multiple agency operation last week in Oakland that recovered over $700,000 worth of stolen merchandise and extensive counterfeit merchandise. This collaborative investigation and prosecution is made possible by Placer County’s retail theft initiative.
The defendants appeared in court that afternoon and defense attorneys were appointed to represent them. The next court date was scheduled for December 22 in Department 20 at 8:30 am.
Since the ORCTF’s inception in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 4,200 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 4,700 suspects and the recovery of nearly 1.5 million stolen goods valued at over $68.7 million statewide as of November 30.
According to localcrimenews.com, Bui is a female and was also arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department in August 2023 when she was a Pittsburg resident for conspiracy to commit a crime, grand theft, receiving or concealing stolen property and organized retail theft.
The CHP extends its appreciation to all participating law enforcement agencies, task force members, Cal Expo, and retail partners whose collaboration led to the success of this investigation. The case remains ongoing.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service,and Security.
