Hammer-Wielding Man Faces 13 Counts In Contra Costa Crime Spree: DA

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Pittsburg man was arraigned Monday on a 13-count complaint in connection with a crime spree Wednesday spanning the City of Walnut Creek, unincorporated Walnut Creek and the City of Pleasant Hill, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said.

The charges filed against 33-year-old Sean Christopher White include three attempted carjackings — one with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon; one count of carjacking; two counts of driving or taking a vehicle without consent; two counts of first-degree burglary where a victim was present; one count of criminal threats with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon; indecent exposure; vandalism which destroyed or damaged property valued over $400; and receiving stolen property valued over $950.

The District Attorney’s Office thanked the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Walnut Creek Police Department for their thorough work responding to the incidents and investigating the violations that occurred.

As Patch previously reported, sheriff’s deputies from the Valley Station responded at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a burglary in progress on Birch Drive in unincorporated Walnut Creek, Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Jimmy Lee said.

The victim told deputies a man — later identified as White — ran into his garage, brandished a hammer and demanded the keys to his car.

When the victim resisted, White gave up and run to a nearby home which he tried to break into but could not, Lee said.

He then ran to a parking lot in the 1400 block of Treat Boulevard and that is where he carjacked a person sitting in their car, Lee said.

He drove the carjacked car to West Holly Street in Walnut Creek where it is alleged he stole another vehicle described as a landscaper's van.

Deputies searched the area for White with the help of members of the East Bay Regional Park Police District, the Danville Police Department and the Walnut Creek Police Department. He was found walking on a trail near West Hookston Road and Contra Costa Boulevard and was taken into custody without further incident.

White is being held at the Contra Costa County jail in Martinez. During his arraignment Monday in court, his bail was set at $620,000.