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Former Police Commander Arrested for Elder Abuse; Second Suspect Sought

Matthew Messier, formerly of the Pinole Police Department, was arrested on numerous counts and Elizabeth Regalado, Messier's wife, is still outstanding. There is a warrant out for Regalado's arrest.

From Pleasanton Police Department:

Today the Pleasanton Police Department ended a several month long investigation into an elder abuse case reported by Alameda County Adult Protective Services. The victim, an 82-year-old Pleasanton resident and property owner, was being defrauded by the suspects, Matthew Messier, 36, of Pleasanton, and Elizabeth Regalado, 30, his wife, by placing the victim’s entire estate into a trust controlled by the suspects.


Messier is a former Police Commander who was employed by the Pinole Police Department when this incident was first reported. The investigation revealed he used his position of authority to gain the trust of the victim.

He was arrested at his home for the following charges, 487(a) PC grand theft and 3 counts of attempted grand theft, four counts of 368(d) PC elder abuse, 470(d) PC forgery, two counts of 115(a) PC registering a fraudulent document, 182(a)(1) PC criminal conspiracy, and 6125 B&P practicing law without a license. Regalado was charged with one count of 182(a)(1) PC criminal conspiracy.

A complaint was filed by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office and two warrants were obtained for Messier and Regalado’s arrest. Messier was arrested on Nov. 16 and booked into Santa Rita Jail on the above charges. Messier’s wife, Elizabeth Regalado, is still outstanding.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Elizabeth Regalado or information that may be relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Pleasanton Police Department directly at 925-931-5100 and reference Case 12-26567.

Joseph Catindig November 16, 2012 at 08:22 pm
ouch!
Bud Burlison November 16, 2012 at 08:23 pm
Yeh, that's it!! Let's all wait til dark, get some torches, rope and pitchforks and march on Santa Rita and hang that low-life. Innocent until proven guilty my ass!
Autumn Johnson (Editor) November 16, 2012 at 08:25 pm
@sjamoson. Had to remove your comment due to the profanity.
Bud Burlison November 16, 2012 at 08:31 pm
You better get my profanity-laced comment outta there too!
Pleasanton Mom November 16, 2012 at 09:37 pm
Was the victim one of their parents? Either way, I am thankful someone saw what was going on and reported it. It's a very good reminder to all of us to watch over the mature citizens in our life whether they be family, friends or neighbors. This is so sad. I hope the victim has something left after all that it sounds like was stolen.
Joan November 16, 2012 at 11:14 pm
There is a special place in Hell for both of these POS humans....My heart hurts for this poor trusting woman who put her faith in these animals... Surprising the Fatty Regalado has not turned herself in.. Run Fatty Run........
Bud Burlison November 17, 2012 at 12:11 am
You all have them convicted already. and now it's sarcastic names. You all are so preciously ignorant. Take out your venom while you can. Don't wait for a criminal trial.
Monika Harris November 17, 2012 at 12:49 am
Hey Bud ( let's party ) lol...
Ignorant ? Really , Bud ? The thought of someone abusing an elderly person is disgusting ..obviously , they had enough evidence to arrest them ..didn't you read the article ? That woman , looked up to someone she thought was a good person , a police commander ....god forbid, one day you might need someone to handle your affairs ...how would your family or friends react if you were taken advantage of ...
Bud Burlison November 17, 2012 at 01:10 am
Great bunch of hypothetical comments there Monika. Yes, I read the article. I also know that they haven't seen the inside of a courtroom yet. Courtroom Monika. You know. That place where justice is served. The evidence is enough to arrest, but is it enough to convict? Yeah, Monika. Really ignorant. Of due process.
Ken November 17, 2012 at 01:35 am
Every one loves to hear about cops doing wrong, yet no one wants to give them the chance to prove their innocence. Remember innocent until proven guilty, just like the thousands of people arrested every day he should be given the benifit of a doubt.
Monika Harris November 17, 2012 at 01:38 am
Bud,
You just are such a funny one ...very testy ! You must have been in the courtroom yourself , or you wouldn't be so on edge .... or maybe not ....criminal lawyer , perhaps ? Or , Bud , maybe you're just a douche BAG ....
David Mills (Editor) November 17, 2012 at 01:42 am
Hello, folks. A reminder to please keep things civil while expressing different points of view.
Bud Burlison November 17, 2012 at 11:08 am
Ah, Monika is reduced to name-calling. Wonderful
John Loudermilk November 17, 2012 at 03:51 pm
Does anyone know why he is no longer with Pinole PD?
Monika Harris November 17, 2012 at 03:58 pm
Hi John Loudermilk,
I'm looking into it ...I have a very close friend on the Pinole PD...will post it as soon as I can.....
Annie R. November 17, 2012 at 04:01 pm
Messier resigned in October.
Bud Burlison November 17, 2012 at 04:28 pm
For whatever reason Messier tendered his resignation, I would imagine that information is closely held by PPD. I doubt that any member of the agency is going to pass it along to a civilian, no matter the relationship. I also doubt if even the press can get that info now that it may be part of an investigation.
Brash Brazen November 17, 2012 at 09:14 pm
I think you have far too much control over reader's comments & exercise far too little intelligence when it comes to censoring them,but that's just my opinion !!! Perhaps adding a few F-bombs would make it easier for you to censor my opinion as well,what with your skin being as thin as a list of your journalistic achievements !!! Keep up the subpar work,as we've come to expect nothing more from you & you wouldn't want to disappoint us now would you ???
Anonymous November 17, 2012 at 09:46 pm
Let me say that I am a good watchful citizen who observed for months as this man took advantage of my neighbor. They have proof from us her neighbors! It is not just evidence from the police. Sorry Bud, but he is guilty! It sucks to realize that a fellow human being can be so wicked to another. As much as I despise what Matt and his wife did, they have children and I agree that name calling will hurt them ! So maybe or adult community could realize they are victims too.
C. Pursley November 17, 2012 at 10:00 pm
I know this family and I what the media is portraying them to be is not the case at all. There is always two sides to every story. Don't believe everything you read in the paper.
Monika Harris November 18, 2012 at 12:53 am
Anonymous ,
Thank you for your comment ...it's a very sad situation .. I feel so sad for your neighbour .... Maybe your comments will finally shut "Bud Burlison 's " mouth up .... I can't imagine witnessing these people do this for months you must have been saddened to find out how many charges are being brought against them ....
Pleasanton Resident November 18, 2012 at 03:20 am
No, this couple weaved a very tangled web, some of the things they did, and the ways in which they deceived this woman were deplorable. I hope they go to jail for a long time. There is a lot to this story, thus guy was a pro, and thought of everything. I don't know when, or if his victim can ever trust someone again
Andy Smith November 18, 2012 at 12:27 pm
As a retired LEO myself, I hate seeing stories like this. I guess the thing that stands out for me is that he was a Commander at only 36 years old? That's a bit unusual. I wonder why he quit at such a young age? There must be more to the story here. How can a person who is sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent, do such a thing as elder abuse? It boggles my mind when I read stuff like this.
Bud Burlison November 18, 2012 at 04:33 pm
Monika; When you can't intelligently pursue a discussion, you wish to "shut Bud Burlison's mouth up"!! Your ignorance of many things is astounding. If the neighbor's comments have any validity beyond being posted on a blog, they'll probably be taken as evidence. But I doubt it.
anonymous November 18, 2012 at 06:42 pm
Andy, He quit because he could hang onto his retirement. He was on administrative leave due to this case. There is a lot to this story and it will all come out in the court case. He is still hoping that he will get away with what he has done and keep his retirement. It is boggling to think that someone can think so much of themselves. Perhaps having so much power so young made him think he could get away with it?
anonymous November 18, 2012 at 07:01 pm
Hey Bud, Your first comment about being innocent until proven guilty is totally correct. Your point is so right on, but looses its punch when you engage in personal attacks on others opinions. Stories of Elder Abuse are going to bring very emotional responses! Wether or not you choose to believe my comments is your choice. And believe me, I look forward to my day in court when I can tell what I have witnessed first hand what this man has done! I am writing on a blog just like you are, and it doesn't lessen the validity of what I have to say anymore than what you have to say. The way you wrote "they'll probably be taken as evidence. But I doubt it." is so judgemental. Why don't you ask me a question instead? I will answer you if I can.
Monika Harris November 18, 2012 at 07:26 pm
Hey Bud...
You can say all the nasty little comments you want ...why don't we meet up and you can say them face to face with me ...name the time and place and I'll be there.... Bud, you are one of those people in life that are a bottom feeder .....you're a sad, sad little man ......I actually feel sorry for people like you ......out of all the comments people have made on here , not once have you opened your heart and said " wow, I feel so bad for that elderly woman " ....who knows , maybe this Matthew Messier person is your friend and your defending him?? So big man, why don't you take my offer and meet up with me and then you may say repeat all the things from this blog , directly to me.....
Bud Burlison November 18, 2012 at 08:16 pm
It's unfortunate that the word ignorant seems to be so pejorative when it only means that a person so described needs to educate themselves on an issue at hand. Monika and the rest of the bloggers that have accepted this alleged senior abuser's guilt at face value, just because he has been arrested for the crime. I usually have a considerable amount of faith in evidence for arrest, but I've also seen that evidence either not admitted in court or destroyed by a competent attorney. Public opinion is a dangerous commodity in the hands of those ignorant of due process.
Anonymous; I respond in kind to personal attacks. Actually, the responses have been sort of tame. As far as you having your day in court as a witness, don't be surprised or disappointed if you deposition (if they allow you to present one) is discounted as hearsay. I will plead ignorance of Monika's last post. That is, I'm going to ignore it.
Bud Burlison November 19, 2012 at 12:14 am
Anonymous; Your post of 1:42 p.m. Sunday leads me to believe that your anonymity may be betrayed by legal means. How do you come by the information that he was on administrative leave from PPD? I've used my means of legal search and haven't been able to come up with that sort of info. I'm very curious.
I am not a past or present law enforcement officer. I am a past elected official that has always paid attention to the Constitution that I swore to. "Anonymous" ; Are you a present or past PPD officer that has information about Mr. Messier's behavior? I'm sure I could find this information if I wished to, but why don't you just come clean as to who you are and what you represent.
Pleasanton Resident November 19, 2012 at 12:17 am
It's no secret, Matt has freely told people the nature of his suspension. Whether or not he was telling the truth remains to be seen.

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