Fires Claim Homes; DNA Cracks Case: Concord, East Bay Police Logs

CONCORD, CA — The following is a collection of police, courtroom and fire stories from this week in Concord and elsewhere in Contra Costa County and the East Bay.

Martinez Soccer Coach Charged With Meeting Minor For Sex: DA

• The Martinez man allegedly complimented the "minor," saying "we need to cuddle then" and "you have a nice body," the DA's Office said.

Concord Home A 'Total Loss' After Garage Fire

• The blaze was reported at about 4:37 a.m. Tuesday. Three residents and two cats made it safely out of the home, a ConFire official said.

East Bay Woman Recognized For Saving Elderly Neighbor From Fire

• The Contra Costa County Fire Protection district this week presented Samantha Barnhouse the Carnegie Hero award.

Martinez Couple Pleads Not Guilty To Death-By-Neglect Charges

• Bail was set for Laura Lawrence at $1.34 million and at $200,000 for Edmund St. John in the death of Lawrence's father, Lyle Lawrence, 77.

Concord Man Sentenced For Selling Cocaine

• The federal case was the result of a drug trafficking investigation by the DEA and the Concord Police Department.

3 Homes Destroyed By Fire In Bethel Island

• The first 911 caller reported 20-foot tall flames, East Contra Costa Fire officials said.

Concord Police Announce DUI Saturation Patrol

• The crackdown was announced in a news release and is planned St. Patrick's Day weekend.

ConFire Rededicates Station 19, Welcomes New Reserve Firefighters

• Station updates and more reserve crews represent the agency's commitment to residents of Briones and surrounding rural areas, ConFire said.

Shell To Pay $165K In Martinez Refinery Violations: Air District

• Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Shell Oil Company reached a settlement over violations in 2015 and 2016 at the refinery.

See Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior Team Up For CHP Safety Video

• The CHP video about what to do when in a car crash on the freeway also features Rocket Scientist. Bloopers included.

Jail Inmate Dies In Santa Rita, Cellmate Arrested: ACSO

• Alameda County Sheriff's deputies found the 70-year-old man, who had been beaten.

Grisly Livermore Double Homicide Solved Thanks To DNA: Police

• Police have identified a suspect who they believe brutally killed Thomas and Alice Green in their Livermore home almost 40 years ago.

Driver Crashes Into Fish On Fire In Danville

• Police are investigating the early-morning collision.

Death In San Ramon Parking Lot Under Investigation

• Employees who work in the shopping center said they tried to revive the man. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

Police Use Narcan To Save Man Suffering From Overdose: PPD

• Pleasanton officers used Narcan to reverse the effects of the opioid.

2 Dogs Rescued From Union City House Fire

• Construction work was being done at the home, according to the fire department.

Alameda Kid Survives Scary Bicycle-Car Crash

• The bike did not fare as well.

Watchful Neighbors Report Burglary, 3 Arrested

• It started with one call, and then a slew of callers reported the movements of a suspect.

Photo Of Arson Suspect Released In East Bay

• Police are seeking this man in connection with an arson that happened earlier this month.

Officer Involved Shooting: 1 Dead, 1 Injured In San Leandro

• 3 Alameda County Sheriff's Deputies opened fire on the suspects, according to information from the scene.

Family Still Sought For Pedestrian Killed In Fremont

• Police have revealed that he was a Fremont resident, struck in a crosswalk while crossing with the light.

Backlog Of Untested Rape Kits Cleared In County

• More than 1200 untested rape kits dating back to 1978 were processed with a grant from New York.

Man Arrested For Hercules Stabbing

• The victim was airlifted to a hospital in Walnut Creek.