Undercover Con Fire investigators make multiple arrests, seize fireworks
CONCORD, CALIF., July 4, 2021 – All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County.
This holiday weekend, fire investigators for Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire), working undercover, made multiple fireworks-related arrests.
The law enforcement actions removed hundreds of pounds of dangerous fireworks from community streets.
In their continued efforts to take dangerous fireworks off our streets, Con Fire investigators conducted the following fireworks enforcement actions in recent days:
July 2, 2021
Hercules Ave. at San Pablo Blvd., Hercules
Con Fire investigators researched and located a social media post advertising illegal fireworks for sale in Contra Costa County. Working undercover, they made contact with the seller and arranged a purchase in the City of Hercules. Surveillance was established at the seller’s residence during which the seller was seen transferring substantial amounts of fireworks from his garage to his vehicle.
En route to the intended meet, investigators initiated a stop, and identified the seller as a Hercules resident who led investigators to fireworks caches at his residence. The seller also led them to the residence of another suspect in possession of a significant amount of illegal fireworks.
In total, 157 pounds of fireworks were confiscated from the two locations
Both individuals were cited on scene. Investigators have not released the names of the involved individuals at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
July 3, 2021
8000 block of Brentwood Boulevard, Brentwood
Con Fire investigators researched and located a social media post advertising illegal fireworks for sale in Contra Costa County. Working undercover, investigators contacted the seller located in the City of Brentwood.
After coordination with East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, undercover investigators arranged a purchase. Investigators established surveillance at the location arranged. Meeting with the seller, investigators confirmed the sale of illegal fireworks and detained the seller. They confiscated the illegal fireworks, and issued a citation to the seller at the scene.
July 3, 2021
1600 block Century Oaks, Brentwood
Following an investigative lead, working in cooperation with Brentwood Police, undercover Con Fire investigators made contact with a resident of Antioch. This individual confirmed the tip Con Fire had obtained, offering illegal fireworks for sale. The seller insisted on meeting at a location within the City of Brentwood. There, investigators established surveillance ahead of the meet. Meeting with the seller, investigators confirmed the selling of illegal fireworks and detained the seller.
During the investigation, they learned that suspects had stored additional fireworks at their home in Antioch. Next, a search of that home recovered additional fireworks. In total, they confiscated 101 pounds of illegal fireworks and issued the seller a citation.
They arrested Gabriel Ramirez, 25, a resident of Antioch, for fireworks sales.
Ongoing investigations
Con Fire investigators continue to work to remove dangerous fireworks from our communities’ streets, along with putting those who traffic them, out of business. Residents can help them in this important public safety mission by reporting illegal fireworks sales to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON.
Use of fireworks of any type remains illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during these drought conditions. Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks use to report this to their local law enforcement at 1-833-885-2021. Report all fires immediately to 911.
Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight fireworks crime across the county. Reporting all fireworks sales to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter. They also add that some of the most valuable tips come from residents unaware that what they saw might prove important to the investigation of an incident.
Residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish at 1-866-50-ARSON. You can choose to leave anonymous tips, but they treat all tips confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so they encourage inclusion of name and phone number.