On Thursday, the Pittsburg Police Department provided an update as to the suspect the arrested on October 14 for passing a note at a local business demanding money.
According to Police, Officers were dispatched to a panic/duress alarm at California Check Cashing, located at 172 Atlantic Avenue in the City of Pittsburg.
While officers were driving to the business, dispatch advised officers an employee of the business called in and stated that a man passed a note to the teller demanding $1000 be placed into an envelope, a clear attempt at robbing the business. The man was later identified as 20-year-old Cedric Williams.
Using a description provided by the employee, officers detained Williams quickly after exiting the business and was placed in handcuffs.
At the time Williams was handcuffed, he was wearing a black jacket, black pants, a face covering and black gloves. Williams was also found to be in possession of the note he had passed to the employee demanding cash.
During a subsequent interview, the victim employee informed officers she was scared and fearful of Williams based on his actions and did not know if he had a weapon. Williams was later booked and transported to the Contra Costa County Detention Facility.
On October 18, 2021, Pittsburg Police Detectives assigned to the case prepared and reviewed the case with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney assigned to the case filed one count of felony second degree attempted robbery charges on Williams.
As part of the filing process of a criminal complaint within Contra Costa County, where the arrested person remains in custody, a completed criminal complaint from the district attorney must be reviewed and signed by a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge. Monday afternoon, Pittsburg detectives took the criminal complaint to the Pittsburg Superior Court to complete the filing process.
Police say the reviewing judge informed detectives he would not be signing the criminal complaint because he felt there was not enough evidence in the case to establish a robbery, despite the fact the district attorney had already reviewed the case and determined there was. The unwillingness of the judge not to sign and complete the criminal complaint process led to Williams being release from jail on Monday evening.
In concern for our community and our commitment to keep our citizens and businesses safe, Pittsburg detectives responded back to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for an additional review of the case. Again, the District Attorney reviewed the case and determined there was sufficient evidence of an attempted robbery of the business and filed one count of felony second degree attempted robbery against Williams.
Despite Williams being released from custody by the judge, Williams will still face felony charges for his actions, but will remain out of custody until the court date.
This outcome was only possible due to the diligent work from our detectives and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
1 comment
Which judge was it?
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