Full Notification

The Walnut Creek Police Department has been actively investigating narcotics trafficking in and around downtown nightclubs, bars and restaurants. The investigation has been ongoing for several months and has resulted in three arrests for cocaine sales and transportation. Much of the illegal activity has been focused in and around 1321 Locust Street (LIFT Lounge) and several other establishments in the downtown area. Investigators conducting surveillance have witnessed drug transactions occurring inside LIFT Lounge and in the adjacent parking lot.

Although more arrests are imminent, those announced today will help erode the supply of illegal narcotics coming into the downtown area of Walnut Creek. In total officers seized just under one pound of cocaine and smaller amounts of concentrated cannabis and marijuana. Further evidence and contraband was recovered during search warrants in unincorporated Walnut Creek and Martinez.

All three suspects were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility after their arrest. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges of Possession of Cocaine for Sales and Transportation of Cocaine for Sales against suspect Yohannes. Suspects Borgognone and Rodriguez have been released from custody. WCPD will present a criminal case against both suspects to the District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.

Suspects:
1) Benyam Yohannes
24 year old male
Resident of Walnut Creek
Arrest Date: 2/10/2014
Location: 1321 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
Charges: H&S Section 11351-Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales and H&S Section 11352-Transportation of a Controlled Substance

2) Brittany Borgognone
25 year old female
Resident of Walnut Creek
Arrest Date: 7/3/2014
Location: Boulevard Way/Flora Ave., Walnut Creek
Charges: H&S Section 11351-Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales

3) Hector Rodriguez
44 year old male
Resident of Martinez
Arrest Date: 7/6/2014
Location: Downtown Walnut Creek
Charges: H&S Section 11351-Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales, H&S Section 11357(a)-Possession of Concentrated Cannabis and VC Section 23152-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol