Three people arrested in Pleasant Hill homicide

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On Friday, May 31, 2024, Pleasant Hill Police investigators arrested three people in connection with the February 10, 2024 shooting death of Santiago Jacobo.

Pablo Gutiérrez-Morales31 years old, Concord; Vanessa Vera Aguilar, 24, Antioch; And Jazmine Ruiz, 25, Antioch; were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

During a three-month investigation, Pleasant Hill police detectives obtained evidence indicating that the victim and suspects knew each other while they all worked together at the Watermark in San Ramon, an assisted living facility.

Evidence shows that the arrested suspects planned, coordinated and carried out the attack on Jacobo on the night of February 10, 2024, after Jacobo finished his job as a guard at Pleasant Hill Park.

Detectives determined that before Jacobo's murder, he had a relationship with suspect Vanessa Vera-Aguilar while another suspect, Pablo Gutierrez-Morales, was in a new relationship with her.

Police detectives are asking anyone with information regarding Jacobo's death and the suspects involved to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Bureau of Investigation at (925) 288-4630.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the Jacobo family.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department would like to thank the San Ramon Police Department for their assistance. We would also like to thank the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District for their continued assistance throughout this homicide investigation.

February 13: Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District mourns the death of a facilities maintenance worker

PLEASANT HILL, Calif., – The Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District (PHRPD) is mourning the tragic homicide of Santiago Jacobo, 37, a PHRPD employee who was found deceased Saturday morning at approximately 4:50 a.m., February 10, 2024, in the main parking lot of Pleasant Hill Park. The park was temporarily closed while police conducted their initial investigation and cleared the area and surrounding buildings. Pleasant Hill Park reopened at noon Saturday.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Santiago Jacobo,” said Michelle Lacy, PHRPD Executive Director. “PHRPD has been around for over 70 years and nothing like this has ever happened before. Our deepest condolences go to his wife, two children and extended family.

Jacobo began working for PHRPD in October 2019 and was a dedicated member of the PHRPD Facilities Maintenance team who cleans and keeps buildings in tip-top condition for the community. Santiago worked weekends and evenings as a side job to support his family.

“Santiago was an all-around good guy and everyone on our team loved working with him,” said senior guard and PHRPD colleague Jose Martinez. “He was reliable, a hard worker and had a great positive attitude. We will miss him.”

Michelle Lacy, executive director, made the announcement to staff early Monday morning, offering therapeutic and mental health resources to all employees to help them cope with sudden loss and traumatic events. Lacy will also meet with staff to identify additional safety protocols that may be necessary to mitigate future risks.

“Our number one priority is the health, safety and well-being of our staff and the public,” said Michelle Lacy.

PHRPD is working closely with the Pleasant Hill Police Department on this active homicide investigation. The suspect in this case is currently unknown. If anyone has any information related to this case, please contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department at (925) 288-4630.

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