Three people have been arrested for allegedly selling cocaine at downtown Walnut Creek restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, police announced Wednesday.
Police said an ongoing investigation into downtown drug sales has so far netted two people from Walnut Creek and one from Martinez. Investigators said the three have been charged with suspicion of making cocaine sales and transportation of cocaine, with much of the illicit activity taking place in and around LIFT Lounge at 1321 Locust Street and several other bars and nightclubs in the downtown area.
Hinting that more arrests are “imminent,” police said those announced Wednesday will “help erode the supply of illegal narcotics coming into the downtown area of Walnut Creek.” Officers seized just under one pound of cocaine and smaller amounts of concentrated cannabis and marijuana during their investigation. Further evidence and contraband was recovered during search warrants in unincorporated Walnut Creek and Martinez, according to police.
As part of their investigation, police announced the arrests of:
- Benyam Yohannes, 24 year old male Resident of Walnut Creek Arrest Date: 2/10/2014 Location: 1321 Locust Street, Walnut Creek Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales and Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Brittany Borgognone, 25 year old female Resident of Walnut Creek Arrest Date: 7/3/2014 Location: Boulevard Way/Flora Ave., Walnut Creek Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales
- Hector Rodriguez, 44 year old male Resident of Martinez Arrest Date: 7/6/2014 Location: Downtown Walnut Creek Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance for Sales, Possession of Concentrated Cannabis and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
All three suspects were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility after their arrest, according to police. 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 Yohannes. 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, investigators said.
