Contra Costa County courts reporter

Nate Gartrell

Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014 after a year spent working at a beer supply warehouse. Outside of journalism, he doesn't do much. He endeavors to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.

The suspects initiated a takeover robbery of the jewelry store, and police think one of the men had someone in law enforcement feeding him information.

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Four sentenced to federal prison for $1.1 million East Bay jewelry store robbery

November 19, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

The suspects initiated a takeover robbery of the jewelry store, and police think one of the men had someone in law enforcement feeding him information.

The thief wore a mask, but police were able to identify him based on what they describe as an attempt to case the beauty store one day earlier.

Lafayette burglary suspect charged with stealing $40,000 worth of hair extensions

August 26, 2024 at 12:04 p.m.

The thief wore a mask, but police were able to identify him based on what they describe as an attempt to case the beauty store one day earlier.

Police say the hundreds of products seized included nicotine liquid for vaporizer pens, cigar wraps, as well as chocolate bars and gummies containing psilocybin.

Police raided East Bay smoke shop for allegedly selling flavored tobacco and 'magic' mushrooms

August 10, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Police say the hundreds of products seized included nicotine liquid for vaporizer pens, cigar wraps, as well as chocolate bars and gummies containing psilocybin.

Jen Angel's death in February 2023 touched off a conversation on the region's criminal justice system amid calls for “all available alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as restorative justice."

Man gets 7-year prison sentence in dragging death of beloved Oakland baker, activist Jen Angel

August 12, 2024 at 8:13 a.m.

Jen Angel's death in February 2023 touched off a conversation on the region's criminal justice system amid calls for “all available alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as restorative justice."

The city of Brentwood is considering requiring local media to publicly adopt the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, but legal experts say such requirements have been struck down repeatedly by the Supreme Court.

Brentwood City Council warned against adopting ‘unconstitutional’ requirements for local media

July 24, 2024 at 1:36 p.m.

The city of Brentwood is considering requiring local media to publicly adopt the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, but legal experts say such requirements have been struck down...

Alameda County and Santa Clara County courts released statements that they have been experiencing disruptions to their computer systems Friday morning and warned the public to expect delays.

Bay Area courts provide minimal services amid global tech outage

July 19, 2024 at 10:28 a.m.

Alameda County and Santa Clara County courts released statements that they have been experiencing disruptions to their computer systems Friday morning and warned the public to expect delays.

The group was reportedly hiding large shipments of drugs in semi-trucks and crossing the border to awaiting labs and safe houses sprinkled throughout California.

They purportedly shipped vegetables into California from Mexico. But this trucking company was secretly moving 6+ tons of meth.

July 19, 2024 at 8:31 a.m.

The group was reportedly hiding large shipments of drugs in semi-trucks and crossing the border to awaiting labs and safe houses sprinkled throughout California.

The defendant is a former employee of the store who slowly stole and re-sold goods over time.

Bay Area man gets one year in prison for $311,118 theft from sporting goods store

July 15, 2024 at 9:46 a.m.

The defendant is a former employee of the store who slowly stole and re-sold goods over time.

The 24-year-old man has been charged with arson and vandalism, and police say he was "adamant" that he did not know a Tesla employee was asleep in the van he allegedly torched.

A man was fired from Fremont’s Tesla factory. Police say he came back, with Molotov cocktails

June 7, 2024 at 3:48 p.m.

The 24-year-old man has been charged with arson and vandalism, and police say he was "adamant" that he did not know a Tesla employee was asleep in the van he...

The suspect allegedly followed the irate customers to another body shop and opened fire at them from a black Tesla, shooting one twice in the head.

A man had a two-year feud with a Fremont auto body shop. It ended when an employee allegedly riddled his car with bullets, killing him

May 29, 2024 at 11:09 a.m.

The suspect allegedly followed the irate customers to another body shop and opened fire at them from a black Tesla, shooting one twice in the head.

All Stories

SUBSCRIBER ONLY