Walnut Creek Police Department Cold Cases

Walnut Creek Police Department
            Investigations Bureau
            Cold Cases


The Walnut Creek Police Departments Investigations Bureau is responsible for the investigations of serious cases that occur in our city. Most of the serious cases are investigated and solved in a reasonable amount of time. Some serious cases lack significant information to be solved in a reasonable amount of time and eventually the case becomes cold. Most of these cases are classed “cold cases” which means they are currently open, serious crimes, have little evidence or leads to identify a suspect and have not been solved. Historically, cold cases are solved through the use of technological advances (for example DNA), the case is publicized which, causes more interest in the case, a person comes forward with new information, or a suspect eventually confesses.
The Walnut Creek Police Department has approximately a dozen cases that are classed as “cold cases.” In an effort to solve these cases the department will be posting summaries of the cases on their website and in press releases in an effort to develop leads and to possibly bring closure to the families of these victims.
If you have any additional information please contact the Walnut Creek Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 943-5844.

To view individual cold case information, please follow these links...1960's

• Elaine Davis Kidnapping/Homicide (1969)

1970's

• Gabriele Uralli/Missing Person (1978)

1980's

• David Widner/Missing Person (1983)
• Lester Garnier/Homicide (1988)
• The Feinstein Connection
• Tamara Moats/Homicide (1989)

1990's

2000's

• John Slade Banker/Investment Scam Suspect (2004)

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COLLINS, VINSON A. Member of the Ku Klux Klan KKK

Known KKK associate connected to Gary Vinson Collins the former now deceased Town of Danville CA.  The name is from days gone by but there are lynching committees in Contra Costa County.  The inner circle of conspirators is about to be outed. 

COLLINS, VINSON A.

COLLINS, VINSON A. (1867–1966). Vinson Collins, attorney and legislator, was born near Honey Island, Texas, on March 1, 1867, to Warren J. and Eboline (Valentine) Collins. After graduating from Sam Houston State Normal College (now Sam Houston State University) in 1893, Collins taught for six years in Grand Saline and studied law in his spare time. He passed the bar examination in 1901 and opened a law practice in Beaumont. During three terms in the Texas Senate (1910–14, 1916–17) he supported prohibition, woman suffrage,^qqv and an eight-hour workday. In 1913 he wrote the state's first workmen's compensation laws. He was defeated by Martin Dies, Sr., in a subsequent race for the United States House of Representatives. Although he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, Collins entered the 1924 gubernatorial election without securing support from the Klan hierarchy. In the absence of official backing, he fought a bitter, unsuccessful campaign against the official Klan candidate, Felix D. Robertson^qv. Collins was among the many Texas Democrats who bolted from the party rather than endorse Alfred E. Smith during the 1928 presidential race. He served on the board of regents for state teachers' colleges from 1935 to 1950. He maintained an active law practice in Dallas, Beaumont, and Livingston until his retirement in 1957. He first married Lizzie Hopkins, who died in 1900; he later married Nannie Kuykendall of Grand Saline. Collins died in Dallas on July 5, 1966, and was survived by six children. He was buried at Livingston.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Norman D. Brown, Hood, Bonnet, and Little Brown Jug: Texas Politics, 1921–1928 (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1984). Dallas Morning News, July 6, 1966.

Robert Wooster

Who

What

Citation

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.

Robert Wooster, "COLLINS, VINSON A.," Handbook of Texas Online(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fco27), accessed December 10, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

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Eustacio Torres "It's impossible," sobbed their mother, Rafaela Torres of Martinez.

By PETE BENNETT - Contra Costa Watch EMAIL
Phone: 510-460-5641
Posted: 12/26/2012

Second tragedy hits family in Martinez

By Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, August 5, 2009

1 of 3

VIEW: LARGER | HIDE

• 
  Catalina Torres, a 44-year-old mother of two grown sons, was killed on Saturday by Felix Sandoval. Torres was the cousin of Sandoval's estranged wife, Margarita Sandoval. Photo: Courtesy Of Torres Family

It's been nearly a year since Catalina Torres, a volunteer for a battered women's group, was killed during a terrifying domestic violence attack at a Martinez beauty salon. At the time, her brother Eustacio Torres told relatives he couldn't believe such violence existed.

Now Eustacio Torres, a former star wrestler at San Francisco State who paid for much of his sister's burial and welcomed one of her adult sons into his home, is dead under similar circumstances. And a Martinez family that already had too much experience with domestic violence is reeling from it once again.

"It's impossible," sobbed their mother, Rafaela Torres of Martinez.

Catalina Torres, who did outreach to women at Concord's Stand Against Domestic Violence, was slain by her cousin's estranged husband, who may have resented her efforts to help his wife get away from him.

Eustacio Torres, a 41-year-old contractor from San Diego, was fatally shot July 19 by his ex-girlfriend, who then turned her gun on herself, according to police. It was Catalina Torres' son who discovered the bodies.

Eustacio Torres was mourned a week later at the same Catholic church in Martinez that held his sister's service. And their bodies now rest side by side in a Lafayette cemetery.

"I can't believe this is happening again," said Silvia Torres-Limón, speaking from her mother's Martinez home, which her brother rebuilt at age 17 after consulting books from the library. "You wish it was a nightmare, but it's not."

"Unbelievable," said Martinez Police Chief Tom Simonetti. "Catalina was an advocate for changes in the system to protect innocent victims. It's ironic as can be that her brother would fall."

Strong and capable, Eustacio Torres was like a surrogate father to his family as a boy, relatives said. At San Francisco State, he was a Division II All-American and still ranks fifth in career wins for the university.

"My brother was big and stocky and wouldn't smile much, so some were afraid of him," said sister Patricia Bustamante of Santa Ana. "But he was very humble and generous, and you knew that when you got to know him."

She recalled that after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, her brother stayed out all night looking for survivors. He moved to San Diego in the late 1990s and launched a construction firm.

First tragedy

The family was shattered last Sept. 6, when Felix Sandoval, 49, stormed into the Martinez beauty salon owned by his estranged wife. She had obtained a restraining order against him and was receiving support from Catalina Torres, who worked in her cousin's shop.

Unable to find his wife, Sandoval followed Torres to an apartment behind the salon. As Torres shielded one of her customers in the kitchen, Sandoval shot her in the head.

He then took a blind shot out of the apartment's front door and twice struck Sgt. Paul Starzyk, 47, who was about to bust in. Though mortally wounded, Starzyk returned fire and killed Sandoval.

Eustacio Torres took his sister's death hard, relatives said, and considered not traveling north for her burial.

But he ended up standing on the steps of Martinez's police station with two of his sisters and asking why authorities had not arrested Sandoval after he made earlier threats against his wife.

Contra Costa County prosecutors said that Sandoval had been the subject of three police reports but that in each case there was not enough evidence to file charges.

Second attack

While Eustacio Torres was mourning his sister in Martinez, his ex-girlfriend - 52-year-oldBernadette Agustin - attempted suicide. His sisters now see that as a warning sign that something was awry in San Diego.

He had met Agustin five years ago while renovating her house. They became partners, buying and flipping houses that he fixed up, said San Diego police Lt. Terry McManus. But when the market crumbled, they lost money and lost properties to foreclosure, prompting tension.

At one time the couple lived together, but their romance fizzled, Torres' sisters said. They said he realized she was unstable and perhaps dangerous, but never got a restraining order.

Sometime after 5 p.m. on July 19, Agustin went to see Torres in the converted garage of a home he was renovating, police said. She shot him with a pistol she had bought.

"He was trying to handle it on his own," Bustamante said. "You have to understand, his favorite line was, 'Everything's going to be all right.' "

How to help

Family members have set up the Eustacio Torres Memorial Fund at Wells

Fargo Bank (account No. 2629533015) to pay for funeral expenses and to provide scholarships to Diablo Valley College students.

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Obituary:Catalina R. Torres

Catalina R. Torres Resident of Martinez Catalina Ruvalcaba Torres born in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico and raised in Martinez, California, passed on Saturday September 6, 2008 at the age of 44. Catalina was a powerful woman and an exceptional role model for her family, friends and community. Catalina was a graduate of Alhambra High School, a certified cosmetologist and an alumnus of Saint Mary's College in Moraga where she majored in Women's Studies. As a former student of Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, she returned as a math instructor and tutor for over ten years. She worked part time as a cosmetologist as well. Catalina was also a teacher for a high school program, "Go Get it" (GGI), in Concord where she tutored various subjects. She volunteered for "STAND!" also in Concord serving as an advocate for battered women. Catalina leaves behind a legacy of advocacy of helping those most in need. She made a positive impact in the East Bay Community especially for women and students. She will always be remembered as an advocate for families, education, service, peace, and love. Catalina lovingly referred to as "Cata" is survived by her two sons Nicolas Carmona (age 22) and Rafael Carmona (age 24), daughter-in-law Veronica, grandson Andrew; Mother Rafaela Ruvalcaba Torres, Father Eustacio Torres, younger siblings: Guillermo, Silvia, Eustacio Jr., Patricia and Noe; and an extended family. All who knew and loved Catalina are invited to Saint Catherine's Catholic Church on the corner of Estudillo & Mellus St. in Martinez, to a time of visitation, Thursday, September 11 beginning at 4:00 pm. A memorial mass will follow on Friday, September 12 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to DVC Foundation - Catalina Torres Scholarship or call (925)685-1405. Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, San Pablo (510) 234 - 2012 Published in Contra Costa Times on Sept. 11, 20

sssssssssBy PETE BENNETT - Contra Costa Watch EMAIL
Phone: 510-460-5641
Posted: 06/13/2013

Reposted to Protect My Sons
Arson Murder - Magalia / Paradise CA
Related: Arson / Arson 


<p>Catalina R. Torres Resident of Martinez Catalina Ruvalcaba Torres born in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico and raised in Martinez, California, passed on Saturday September 6, 2008 at the age of 44. Catalina was a powerful woman and an exceptional role model for her family, friends and community. Catalina was a graduate of Alhambra High School, a certified cosmetologist and an alumnus of Saint Mary's College in Moraga where she majored in Women's Studies. As a former student of Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, she returned as a math instructor and tutor for over ten years. She worked part time as a cosmetologist as well. Catalina was also a teacher for a high school program, "Go Get it" (GGI), in Concord where she tutored various subjects. She volunteered for "STAND!" also in Concord serving as an advocate for battered women. Catalina leaves behind a legacy of advocacy of helping those most in need. She made a positive impact in the East Bay Community especially for women and students. She will always be remembered as an advocate for families, education, service, peace, and love. Catalina lovingly referred to as "Cata" is survived by her two sons Nicolas Carmona (age 22) and Rafael Carmona (age 24), daughter-in-law Veronica, grandson Andrew; Mother Rafaela Ruvalcaba Torres, Father Eustacio Torres, younger siblings: Guillermo, Silvia, Eustacio Jr., Patricia and Noe; and an extended family. All who knew and loved Catalina are invited to Saint Catherine's Catholic Church on the corner of Estudillo & Mellus St. in Martinez, to a time of visitation, Thursday, September 11 beginning at 4:00 pm. A memorial mass will follow on Friday, September 12 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to DVC Foundation - Catalina Torres Scholarship or call (925)685-1405. Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, San Pablo (510) 234 - 2012
Published in Contra Costa Times on Sept. 11, 20
                        
                        <a href="http://www.tutorialrepublic.com/html-tutorial/" target="_blank">Learn more.</a></p>

Catalina R. Torres

Obituary

Guest Book

• "CATA Hermana querida! cuanta falta me haces, ya nada es..."
  - Maria Elena RUBALCAVA

View Sign

More Photos

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Catalina R. Torres Resident of Martinez Catalina Ruvalcaba Torres born in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico and raised in Martinez, California, passed on Saturday September 6, 2008 at the age of 44. Catalina was a powerful woman and an exceptional role model for her family, friends and community. Catalina was a graduate of Alhambra High School, a certified cosmetologist and an alumnus of Saint Mary's College in Moraga where she majored in Women's Studies. As a former student of Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, she returned as a math instructor and tutor for over ten years. She worked part time as a cosmetologist as well. Catalina was also a teacher for a high school program, "Go Get it" (GGI), in Concord where she tutored various subjects. She volunteered for "STAND!" also in Concord serving as an advocate for battered women. Catalina leaves behind a legacy of advocacy of helping those most in need. She made a positive impact in the East Bay Community especially for women and students. She will always be remembered as an advocate for families, education, service, peace, and love. Catalina lovingly referred to as "Cata" is survived by her two sons Nicolas Carmona (age 22) and Rafael Carmona (age 24), daughter-in-law Veronica, grandson Andrew; Mother Rafaela Ruvalcaba Torres, Father Eustacio Torres, younger siblings: Guillermo, Silvia, Eustacio Jr., Patricia and Noe; and an extended family. All who knew and loved Catalina are invited to Saint Catherine's Catholic Church on the corner of Estudillo & Mellus St. in Martinez, to a time of visitation, Thursday, September 11 beginning at 4:00 pm. A memorial mass will follow on Friday, September 12 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to DVC Foundation - Catalina Torres Scholarship or call (925)685-1405. Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, San Pablo (510) 234 - 2012

Published in Contra Costa Times on Sept. 11, 20

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/contracostatimes/obituary.aspx?n=catalina-r-torres&pid=117259418#sthash.ka0FcBcC.dpuf

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Dickinson, Lisa Missing since Sept. 05, 1976

By PETE BENNETT - Contra Costa Watch EMAIL
Phone: 510-460-5641
Posted: 12/10/2013

Protect My Sons

In 2004 my truck burst into flames on NB 680, Danville Inspector Gary Vinson Collins attacked me and nearly killed me, three months later the kinder-morgan fire incinerated five men when the inspection process failed so isn't a bit strange that Mr. Collins fell to his death after documents were handed to Chief Bryden and City Manager Ken Nordoff.  

Since that meeting I've learned of at least 10 more deaths- this has got to end.  

http://www.walnut-creek.org/citygov/depts/police/cold_case_investigations/default.asp

https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/4537/0/

Case Information

Status	Missing
First name	Lisa
Middle name
Last name	Dickinson
Nickname/Alias
NCMEC number	1164024
Date last seen	September 05, 1976 11:14
Date entered	01/06/2010

Age last seen	9 to 9 years old
Age now	46 years old
Race	White
Ethnicity
Sex	Female
Height (inches)	58.0
Weight (pounds)	80.0

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John F. Kennedy School of Law Professor Lisa A. Trapani -0

John F. Kennedy School of Law

San Ramon CA: In 2011 I was homeless after losing my offices in Pleasant Hill CA at 1932a Oak Park Blvd where several Walnut Creek Police Officers hung out and where Randall Wanser who lost his houses to Peter Branagh at 

 

Attorney Search

Lisa Andrea Trapani - #187794

Current Status:  Active

This member is active and may practice law in California.

See below for more details.

Profile Information

The following information is from the official records of The State Bar of California.

Bar Number:	187794
Address:	33356 Estero DrSan Ramon, CA 94583-3219 Map it	Phone Number:	(925) 999-8607
		Fax Number:	Not Available
Email:	Not Available
County:	Contra Costa	Undergraduate School:	Boston Univ; Boston MA
District:	District 1
Sections:	None	Law School:	John F Kennedy Univ SOL; Orinda CA

Status History

Effective Date	Status Change
Present	Active
4/9/1997	Admitted to The State Bar of California

Explanation of member status

Actions Affecting Eligibility to Practice Law in California

Disciplinary and Related Actions This member has no public record of discipline.

Administrative Actions

This member has no public record of administrative actions.

http://sf.blockshopper.com/property/212162021/528_van_buren

	Census Tract: 3451.02/North of Boone Acres Park *Alone or in combination Source: U.S. Census

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Upset over impending divorce, man kills 2 children, then self 'All-American dream family' destroyed

By PETE BENNETT - Contra Costa Watch EMAIL
Phone: 510-460-5641
Posted: 06/13/2013

Reposted to Protect My Sons

Butler 101 -
Butler fired in 1999 after high speed chase 
Wielsch moved CAL DOJ 1993 
and Wielsch left APD after this event 
I met these jackasses in the 1980's strongly suspect they've committed a lot than just fucking over divorcees.  

This for all Pittsburg Cops that moved over the CCSO and other agencies - I've kept track of every case leading back 30 years.  No expected the internet to have so much information.  

 

Upset over impending divorce, man kills 2 children, then self 'All-American dream family' destroyed

July 12, 1993|By San Francisco Chronicle

ANTIOCH, Calif. -- A despairing man, so distraught about his impending divorce that he threatened six weeks ago to kill his two children, shot them to death yesterday and then turned the gun on himself, destroying, with three bullets, the "all-American dream family."

After hearing those shots shortly after 1 p.m., police broke into the master bedroom of the house at 4745 Hunter Peak Court and found the body of Joel Dennis Souza, 35, of Antioch.

They also found fatally wounded 8-year-old Nicholas and 5-year-old Cherie. The children were taken to a hospital; they were pronounced dead when they arrived.

Only hours before, the children had appeared briefly at a window in the front of the house and had shouted down at the sea of police and neighbors below, "Mom! Mom!"

The only family member left alive was Jennifer Souza, 29. She had been kidnapped by her husband early yesterday morning, according to her close friend and business colleague, Terry Lyons, but managed to escape.

It was the end of a nine-hour standoff on a bright and otherwise calm morning in the new housing developments that stud the hot, dry hills south of Antioch's downtown.

And to many of the professionals and managers who live in this area of $300,000 houses, it was the tragic end of something that almost nobody had seen coming until a couple of months ago.

"Until this divorce business came up, they were a caring, loving family, the all-American dream family," next-door neighbor Cleo Geremia said, as she walked her poodle past the police cars outside her house and talked about the children who frolicked in the next-door pool. "That boy, he was so precocious. What went wrong?"

What went wrong was that on May 24, Jennifer Souza told her husband that she wanted a divorce. A day later, apparently in horrible despair, Joel Souza took the children on a trip and left a note that his wife discovered the next day.

"Divorce equals death," Mr. Joel Souza had written. "So I'll take care of it now for all of us." Mrs. Souza discovered that her husband had taken his .32-caliber pistol and $7,000 in cash.

A statewide alert was put out, and Mr. Souza called his wife.

That time, Antioch police officer Bill McCoy, who is a family friend, managed to persuade his friend to surrender the gun and the children.

This time, police tried to find Mr. McCoy again, but he was out of town and could not be reached. Instead, the situation on Hunter Peak Court deteriorated slowly over a period of about 12 hours, ending in the double murder and suicide.

Mr. Lyons said he had spoken to Mr. Souza on Saturday.

"I asked him how things were going," Mr. Lyons said. "He said he knew he was wrong last May and he was just trying to hurt her, and that was the only way he could get back at her.

"After last May, I thought he had a handle on it. But I guess he didn't. I guess he thought this was the ultimate way to hurt her."

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