MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISSEMINATION
DATE: June 25, 2024
CONTACT: Commander Matt Avery
PHONE: 510-418-6897
SUBJECT: Disabling Communication System (P24-796)
At approximately 7:20 PM on Saturday, June 22nd, our Communication Center was alerted to a disruption in our 911 and business lines. Our dedicated communications staff promptly reached out to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, swiftly rerouting our 911 calls to their communications center. Simultaneously, our patrol units were dispatched to the area where the previous copper cable theft occurred on June 4th, which led to the disabling of our 911 and business lines. Upon arrival, three male subjects, in defiance of officers' orders, fled into an open field towards a residential area.
Our officers established a perimeter with the assistance of Hercules officers. Recognizing the need for additional resources, they requested the aid of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office helicopter and a canine unit. This joint effort led to the successful apprehension of two suspects, with the third remaining at large. A thorough search of the scene revealed tools used for cutting copper cables, and one of the suspects was found in possession of such tools upon arrest.
The suspects are Jesus Arias-Ayala, a 31-year-old male out of Hayward, and Daniel Mena-Diaz, a 49-year-old male out of Richmond. Officers questioned both and later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges:
• Jesus Arias-Ayala: felony vandalism and damaging telephone lines
• Daniel Mena-Diaz: felony vandalism, damaging telephone lines, and violation of probation
911 calls for Pinole, Hercules, and San Pablo continue to be answered by the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office and transferred to our Communication Center.
• For emergencies, call or text 911 (text-to-911 is direct to the Pinole Communication Center)
• For non-emergencies, call 510-724-1111 or 510-900-4246
• For Pinole Records: call 510-588-1226
• Please visit
https://tinyurl.com/3apnxxen for other Police Department contact information
Several business lines for other city departments are also down. For contact information for other City departments, please visit
https://www.pinole.gov/contact/contact_us
The incident is still under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Pinole Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 510-724-1111.