Full Notification

The second suspect in this case (William Brown) turned himself in today and was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the charges listed below.


WCPD Case Number: 14-35690
Date / Time Occurred: Friday, 10/31/14 @ 0959hrs
Location: 1500 Block of Sunnyvale Avenue
Crime Description / Code:
11379.6 H&S-Drug Manufacturing
452(a) PC-Unlawfully causing fire that causes great bodily injury
452(b) PC-Unlawfully causing fire of inhabited structure

Suspects:
Daniel Burgess. WMA, 34 years old, now residing in Danville. Released on O.R.
William Brown. BMA, 37 years old, now residing in Oakland. Wanted.

Press Release Prepared By:
Lieutenant Lanny Edwards

NARRATIVE:
On 10/31/14 at 0959 hours, Consolidated Fire Department (CFD) and the Walnut Creek Police Department (WCPD) responded to a large explosion on the 1500 block of Sunnyvale Avenue. Two critically injured males were located during the evacuation of several townhouse structures. The two males were transported via helicopter to the UC Davis Burn Center.

The investigation revealed the two injured subjects lived in the second story unit and were in the process of drug manufacturing by using Butane to extract marijuana/hash oil, also known as a BHO (Butane Honey Oil) lab. The Butane ignited during the process and the subsequent explosion and fire leveled the building.

One nearby resident had minor injuries as a result of the explosion and the two buildings were left uninhabitable.

The two subjects were not identified at the time, due to lengthy hospital stays (5-8 months) and the inability to interview them due to their injuries.

In November 2015, the investigation was presented to the District Attorney’s office and the DA filed the above three felony charges on both suspects. Arrest warrants were issued for each with a bail of $700,000.

Burgess turned himself in and is currently out on his own recognizance due to his medical condition.
Brown has an active arrest warrant and steps are being taken to get him in custody. The attached photo of Brown was taken before the explosion.

Anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Walnut Creek PD at (925) 943-5844.