Three men who are facing 19 counts of felony armed robbery for a crime spree across Contra Costa County have been released on a judge’s order, according to the Pittsburg Police Department.
The following is from the Pittsburg Police Dept:
The Pittsburg Police Department featured this case several months ago, and wanted to provide the community an update.
During the month of August 2021, the Pittsburg Police Department investigated seven armed robberies that occurred throughout the city. During the investigation of these crimes, the suspects were all described as men in their late teens or early twenties, with masks covering their faces. Pittsburg Detectives took over the investigations and quickly determined there had been just over twenty additional robberies from local businesses that had taken place within the communities of Antioch, Concord, Brentwood, Bay Point, and Clayton.
All of these robberies included the same suspect description as the three suspects in the Pittsburg robberies. The law enforcement agencies for each of these communities began working together to identify the suspects and stop this rash of violent crimes.
On November 3rd, 2021, the Concord Police Department investigated a related robbery in their city. The Concord Police Department quickly notified surrounding law enforcement agencies and provided a description of the vehicle connected to the crimes. A short time later, the suspect vehicle was located and stopped in the city of Pittsburg.
All three men in the vehicle were placed under arrest and charged for the series of robberies they committed throughout Contra Costa County.
A few days later, six law enforcement agencies presented these crimes to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the cases and filed felony robbery charges with enhancements on 18-year-old Samuel Banales-Melena, 20-year-old Jonathan Medina-Flores, and 18-year-old Rogelio Medina-Flores for their participation in the crimes.
The hard work from investigators from the Pittsburg Police Department, Antioch Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, Concord Police Department, and the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office paid off and these criminals were no longer a threat to our communities.
On November 29, 2021, all three of these men appeared in Contra Costa County Superior Court for a Preliminary Hearing. After the Judge heard testimony from detectives and officers, along with a vast amount of evidence, all three men were held to answer for nineteen (19) counts of armed robbery, with a pending jury trial to take place at a later date.
Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the presiding judge over the case decided to release all three men from jail and be placed under the supervision of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Custody Alternative Program. This program provides alternatives to traditional incarceration by placing subjects on electronic home supervision with an ankle monitor under the supervision of the Custody Alternative Facility. What this means is all three men would be released from jail pending the jury trial and allowed to remain at home with an ankle monitor.
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Custody Alternative Program was notified of the release of the three men and the nineteen (19) counts of robbery they were being held for. Based on this information, and the violent nature of the crimes the men were charged with, the Custody Alternative Program rejected all three men from being released into the program’s custody. The presiding Judge for the case was informed of the rejection and the refusal of acceptance of the men to the custody alternative program.
Unfortunately, the Judge was unwilling to allow the men to remain in custody and overruled the rejection, and authorized the release of all three men to a private contracted company to be placed into that company’s alternative custody program with an electronic ankle monitoring system. All three men were released to this program on January 5, 2022 and are no longer in jail.
It is with concern for our community and our commitment to keep our citizens and businesses safe, the Pittsburg Police Department is providing this information.
Good plan guys. These democrats communist rejects gotta go before they destroy everything we know and love. Enough is enough.
Why isn’t the name of the Judge posted in this article.
It seems the public should have a right to know.
You know the judge? You’re sure he’s a democrat communist? Seems you assume a lot. Most of the judges who rejected Trump’s Biggest Lie were Republicans, so it’s possible this one was as well and you’re wrong. And what the H is a democrat commie anyway? Are you making stuff up as you go along?
Come on guys we just need to voot really hard next time.
Ok phil deny reality that commie democrats have been defunding police getting rid of bail and letting criminals out of prison. I may be wrong but it would be highly unlikely and extremely rare
@Phil sounds like you’re okay with this, which makes you part of the problem.
Phil, a democrat communist is a communist that calls themself a democrat. Like most democrats in California. It’s time to hold these liberal judges responsible for their bad decisions the same way they hold cops responsible for theirs. If one of these scum bags kill some innocent citizen then that judge should be charged with accessory to murder. That will never happen because they get a free ride just like their liberal politician buddies.
cOmE oN gWeS wE jUsT nEed tO vOoT Weely hArD nExT tIMe
Sam this is about a bad Judge not Democrats!
If you’re going to blame blame the judge not the Democrats. I’m a Democrat and I disagree with the judge. Don’t be a trumpet
Mac, this is about a bad judge and bad democrats (redundant, I know), not about instruments.
Running cover for democrat commies is like drilling holes in your sinking boat. 🤣🤣 But please keep going
,,another example of why we need to get rid of these judges and DA’s…. we need to protect ourselves – 19 violent felonies!!??
Who’s the judge? Let’s start the impeachment
What is the judges name? It was not included in the report.
Elected or Appointed there should be consequences for the judge!
The citizens of Contra Costa need to voice there thoughts!
You beat me to it. Are we hiding judges names now? How will we know who to kick out of office? The other thing is when is the trial?
This should sicken and outrage every single law abiding citizen in this county. Yet, like often before we will don our masks, shrug our collective shoulders, and re-elect all of these judges, DA’s, Supervisors, Councilmembers, and state officials.
19 counts of felony armed robbery and all they got was a slap on the wrist with a wet tortilla?
That judge needs to go!
This judge takes the prize.
It’s not much of a prize.
It’s not much of a judge.
While we’ve not been told the judge’s reasoning, his/her actions certainly appear irresponsible and lacking regard for the safety of citizens and businesses. And what does it say to our hardworking law enforcement agencies?!
@John Keibel
In addition to citizens, it would appear that all the hardworking law enforcement agencies involved with this case just got the middle finger from a judge.
Instead of de-funding police how about de-funding the judge?
If we knew his/her name and the position is an electable one, that’s our response – vote the fool out of office.
The Police did everything right.
Even the DA did everything right.
The judge let them go.
Yes this is what we’ve been saying. The system is rotten to its root. The corruption is entrenched. The military is the only way.
This decision is flat out wrong headed. The Court needs to open its eyes and consider threat levels to society, not the welfare of these defendants. The very agency created to manage cases like this declined based on the facts of these crimes, yet a for profit company accepted them. Of course they accepted them, their motivation is profit!! Given the opportunity they would likely accept Ted Koscinsky, the Unibomber. After all, it’s meat and potatoes to them.
It would have been good journalism to reveal the name of this elected Superior Court Judge. We, the people have a means of control over these capricious decisions…the voting booth!
Thank you Police. You did great.
Thank you DA.
No thanks to the judge.
A Pox on the house of the judge.
+1 +1
What’s the name of this judge?! Everyone in the east bay community deserves to know!
It might be time to vote in new judge’s if possible…
The judge is just as immoral as the criminals.
Thank God. The last thing I want is for criminals to feel so threatened that they need to move to my new (free) state. Keep Kleptofornica trash in Kleptofornica!
I would really like to hear the reasoning behind this judge’s irresponsible decision.
Once again, our government is failing badly at even the most basic of functions.
When these criminals kill someone during the commission of their next crime, I hope this judge is held personally responsible.
Who appointed this judge?
Would be interesting to see how many beds are available in Contra Costa jail system tonight.
Give it time, this will seem trivial compared to what could well happen in not to distant future. Two bills introduced in CA state assembly, with apparent goal of rolling back Prop 47.
AB1603 https://tinyurl.com/4stbkz73
AB1599 https://tinyurl.com/2p9by84p
Allowing more Felony charges against criminals.
With detrimental effects of 2011 passed AB-109 still in place, county jail overcrowding in all of CA’s 58 counties could well become a crisis. Already planned increase in CoCo jail capacity might become inadequate in less than a year.
Need to realize elections have consequences, your vote shouldn’t be decided by which candidate has greatest number of signs blighting our roadsides, how many slick looking mailings clog our mailboxes or which one can afford massive media advertising buys.
Take the time to become an informed voter and stop electing those who repeatedly come up with not thought thru knee jerk
lawsexperimentation.Nailed it! Most complaining voted for this and don’t even realize it! Do you want change, stop voting out of habit and educate yourself! There are plenty of news talk shows that break down the proposed legislature discussing what and how it will impact California! Vote Better next time!
Find out the judge’s name and file a complaint: https://cjp.ca.gov/file_a_complaint/
Re these the same creeps that shot someone at the Target Pharmacy?
Who is this judge?
he must have been threatened and blackmailed or has Biden’s dementia…No Judge in their right mind would let these monsters out in public.
We need an “alternative judge program” in Contra Costa County.
Elected public servant should not be able to be hide identity. The people who had guns jammed in their faces and jammed in their ribs during the 19 (and counting) crimes didn’t get to hide. And they wonder why we are all so pissed off at the people in office?
Safety is not a priority for the citizen?
Absolutely insane!!! Who in their right mind could comprehend this B.S.? If anyone in the future comes across the judge who let these scumbags out of jail, please post so I can file a complaint. This needs to get national attention like the smash-n-grabs so as to show how incompetent, woke, and just plain stupid this judge is whoever he or she may be.
Arrested on 19 counts of felony armed robbery and the careless judge released them knowingly he knew the suspects would continue being a dangerous threat, hurting business and people. So down the road if someone gets hurt or killed by these guys the grieving family should be able to sue this judge.
The judge most likely knew the Sheriff Custody Alternative Program would not take them, and they would be released to a private company.
Do you want to bet the judge is getting kickbacks for this?
I have never heard of a private company having an alternative custody program. WTF allowed this crap, Newscum???
+1
When there’s a dollar to be made an entrepreneur will be there to make it.
Oh brother. You shouldn’t open your mouth
before you do your research to how long
They contract outside companies for house
arrest.
Born and raised in Contra Costa.. Im just as shocked by this as when hearing about their fascist health dept. I have to say, things will get worse, but the people will vote the same. Cash out of California while you can.
Born and raised in Contra Costa… I’m just as shocked by this as when hearing about their fascist health dept. I have to say, things will get worse, but the people will vote the same. Cash out of California while you can.
Let’s not forget that George Soros funds our DA elections. I wonder how many judges are on the payroll? I’d say whomever this Judge is, they are following the Soros plan of increasing crime and reducing public safety.
I’m sure that these 3 men were “Just starting to get their lives together”!
The judges name would appear on the court calendar for November 29th. Looks like they appeared in Martinez.
Liberal judges appointed by liberal (socialist) Democrats. Be prepared fellow citizens. 108RS
Is the office of judge appointed or voted?
The judge or court should be responsible for any future actions these felons perpetuate on society. If history is any indication, the three will reoffend. Makes policing an impossible job and a waist of resources.
I feel less safe. This judge blew it! Who is he/she?
If your so upset like all these people and most that
I think this judge is a Democrat just stupid doesn’t matter what he is Republican or Democrat he made it wrong decision. It’s a matter of public record if you really want to know who he is go down and look at the court records !!!
Yep another example of how liberal laws don’t work. An ankle monitoring bracelet will not change these thugs behavior. How Sad!
Recall that dumba$$ judge
There is something nuckin futs with this!
I have an idea .. So why doesn’t the CC police refuse to respond to calls related to violent crimes? Nothing will be done anyway, so why respond? Effective immediately, the police should only respond to traffic and domestic incidents. Sooner or later the voters will demand a change (probably sooner).
Television news media needs to run with this story and keep inquiring who the judge is and why did they make this decision. Next step would be to get the Attorney General involved to investigate this judge. Perhaps a Grand Jury investigation would uncover more inappropriate sentences in other less notable cases.
Our system has been soft in crime for too long. Time to tighten the belt.
You need to read the story again they weren’t sentenced yet unfortunately he has them on house arrest until sentencing.
The AG Bonta is just as useless! He and Mayorkas, Garland and Becton are all in the same room!
Bonta claims to be Asian. BS!!! He is Back!
The judge is a moron. They all are. Judge = large ego & little brain. These pathetic judges hide their names and addresses from the public. Why. Because they are hated. Not just by criminals. But hated by victims, survivors and the community. They know it too. That’s why they wear clown outfits at work. That black robe.
The legal system is broken if these lame judges get to hid from the public they are supposed to serve.
Overpaid and stupid. Judges. Keep hiding losers.
Looks like the current presiding Judge is Rebecca Hardie interestingly enough appointed by the Governator in 2010
Biographical Information
Education: B.S. Western Michigan University; J.D. UCSF, Hastings College of Law.
Pre-bench Legal Experience: Deputy District Attorney, Marin County; Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of California; Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Judicial Experience
Judge Hardie was appointed to the bench by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on February 18, 2010. She served three years in the Pittsburg courthouse prsiding over criminal matters. In 2013, she was assigned to juvenile court where she presides over dependency and delinquency proceedings.
Courtroom Policies
Judge Hardie requires all counsel to be timely for court appearances. She typically rules from the bench.
I’m not positive, but I think Charles S. Treat is the Superior Court Judge responsible. This based on the majority of Internet comments I’ve read that have named the judge. Though admittedly a few people do think the judge is Hardie.
Treat was appointed in 2005 by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Treat is a registered Democrat. “He filed for reelection in 2014, but due to facing no opposition, was automatically elected to a new term that expires in 2021”.
Why everything as to be political? Democrats are for Democracy and love this country more then most
I disagree with your definition on loving the country. A country is a defined area of separate ownership and people. The Democrat’s policy is open borders so there is no definition of defined people or area. If you are from Honduras, just show up and its yours cause you will probably vote Democrat.
@Lulu
Riiiiiiiight. Guess that explains why democrats want to destroy it. Gee, why does everything have to be political?
Our governor isn’t a democrat, he’s a dictator and whatever it is he loves, it sure isn’t our country. Gavin Newsom gladly accept money from George Soros, who most definitely is not a democrat.
Perhaps you can have a chat with Gav and bring him around.
Lulu—You mean the Democrats that told the police to stand down while rioters took to the streets, smashed windows, and set fires? The Democrat mayors who do nothing while looters are robbing stores? The Democrats that are pushing for critical race theory to be taught in the public school system because they deny reality and hate white people? The Democrats that are tearing down statues of historic importance that don’t belong to them? The Democrats that want to defund the police, do away with the cash bail system, and are letting violent felons out of prison early? The Democrats that are allowing our southern border to be wide open while millions of people from around the world enter our country illegally? The Democrat run cities all across America that are experiencing a historical rise in crime?
Are those the Democrats you speak of that are for democracy and love this country more than most?
Oh Lulu, you poor disillusioned lost soul, my heart weeps for you.
@Lulu
On top of all your factual errors, you spelled than wrong.
Lulu – first learn your grammar. Secondly, understand that the democrats are in the process of taking this country down. Thirdly, learn the difference between democracy and a democratic republic… or a constitutional republic.
Democrats are solely for keeping themselves in power.
@Lulu Its funny that you say “Why everything as to be political” (although what I think you meant to say is why does everything have to be political) and then you follow that statement up with a political statement. So why don’t you tell us why everything has to be so political?
Lulu trolling level 100. Can’t waste your ammo on obvious bait. We have more important things to deal with. Washington state is going for COVID camps.
Ah, another case of the justice system protecting the criminals from the law abiding.
Lulu, this is Claycord, the news site, not YukYuk dot net the humor site, take your jokes over there please.
The stench from the bench us making me clench.
“The Stench from the Bench is making Me Clench” .. One of Michael Savage’s best quotes … along with “Liberalism is a Mental Disorder”.
I really miss him on old 3hr daily radio broadcasts. I check out his Podcast once in a while, though.
It’s unbelievable that this liberal judge let these three wannabe cartel bangers back on the streets.
I do not know which judge that ordered the release, but it was definitely not Judge Hardie. Judge Hardie is currently serving a 2 year term as the presiding judge of the entire county. Her role is strictly administrative at this time. She would not have been the judge assigned to hear the case. There are 37 judges in CCC and 3 traffic commissioners. Approximately 20 preside over a family law, civil. probate and juvenile. The remaining (approx) 17 preside over criminal matters ranging from misdemeanor to murder and everything in between.
My apologies to Judge Hardie for the mistaken identity. When I read the article I thought it stated that the “Presiding Judge of the Court” had overturned the case when the article actually stated that it was the “Presiding Judge of the Case”.
I’m their huckleberry.
108RS
Our DAs silence is deafening .
Another soft-on-crime liberal activist does all he can to promote his agenda. Unfortunately, this activist also sat in the judge’s bench.
What a bunch of CA B.S. But this is what you get, California…you promote this BS perspective, get BS results. Unfortunately, people have and will continue to get hurt and pay the price for this nonsense.
This lack of justice reminds me when a few years back our terrific Governor Newsom released thousands of hardcore prisoners from San Quentin after he caused a COVID outbreak amongst them by exchanging them from other prisons. How could anyone continue to vote for a person of continuous futility?
How many feel/think that the recall was fraudulent?? According to the reviews Newsom should have gone under the 18-wheeler with stud tires!! Another fraud of a recall attempt in this case!
PSA to all hardworking citizens keep your armed robberies under 20 and you’ll be ok!
‘Contra Costa Sheriff Issues Statement After Judges Decision to Release Armed Robbery Suspects’
east county today https://tinyurl.com/9mnewvru
Only article found that explains Sheriff’s Custody Alternative Program.
If Judge is named, check which governor made the appointment.
Question, what would Judge Richard Arnason have done ? ? ?
Judge Treat is the judge. He is extremely liberal and is known for following his own rule of thought rather than the constitution and case law!
Here’s the scoop on the renowned “liberal Judge” … The Less-than-Honorable Charles S. Street. What a jerk!!
https://trellis.law/judge/charles.s.treat
Here’s the link you really have to see!! It’s the ratings of Judges by various lawyers and other folks!! What a HUGE POS this guy is and has been!
He lives in Lafayette. A MUST READ, FOR SURE! YIKES!!??!!
http://www.therobingroom.com/california/Judge.aspx?id=2374
Seems that Charles Street handles civil cases, not criminal cases.
Can someone please post a reliably- sourced identity of the judge in this case?
RG is wrong about this guys “credentials”. Both linked sites are legit.