PITTSBURG — A new federal lawsuit accuses a former Pittsburg cop of shooting a man whose hands were raised during a call over a “mental health crisis,” and although the same officer has already been part of a suit that settled for $7.3 million, this case may be the least of his legal concerns. The … Read more
OAKLAND — A former Pittsburg officer has admitted he lied, stole from his employers, sold steroids to other law enforcement officials and advertised his then-girlfriend’s college cheating service to other cops, ironically all while pretending to pursue a degree in criminal justice. But instead of taking a college course in crime and punishment, Patrick James … Read more
OAKLAND — Federal prosecutors have tacked on a new charge against a former Pittsburg officer who is already accused of wire fraud, and they say there’s a universal plea deal in the works to resolve both cases. Patrick Berhan was charged Wednesday with possessing anabolic steroids with intent to distribute them in May 2021, a … Read more
CONTRA COSTA — One of the East Contra Costa police officers indicted by the FBI last year has run afoul of the law again, after cops allegedly found him passed out drunk behind the wheel of a running car — and then he threatened to hurt them. It isn’t his alcohol-involved crime, multiple law enforcement … Read more
Retired Pittsburg Police Chief Brian Addington has been named Antioch’s new interim police chief until a permanent one is hired. Antioch Acting City Manager Kwame Reed announced the appointment Tuesday afternoon, noting in a press release that Addington brings “a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of East Contra Costa County law enforcement to … Read more
SAN FRANCISCO — In the first federal guilty plea to come since the wide-ranging indictments of current and former East Contra Costa cops, an ex-Antioch community services officer has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge. Samantha Genoveva Peterson pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to fraudulently receive pay bumps through a city incentive … Read more
MARTINEZ — A retired Pittsburg police detective who allegedly fired at police vehicles during a lengthy standoff outside his home is being charged with multiple felonies, including shooting his wife and the attempted killing of Pleasant Hill police officers. Chunliam Saechao, 40, was charged Wednesday with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, … Read more