Chief Cantando to give annual report at Council meeting, Tuesday night

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Police Department announced this week “that 2015 was a safer year for its citizens” with Part 1 violent crime down 9.2%, Part 1 property crimes down 6.6%, Priority 1 response time down by 30 seconds, and total arrests up 15.2%.

“What this translates to is that crime is down, arrest are up, and we are responding to priority 1 calls for service 30 seconds faster than in 2014,” stated Captain Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Field Services. “The men and women of the Antioch Police department have been working very hard to increase the staffing levels in order to serve the community better. We continue to foster support from the community and maintain strong partnerships with groups like the Crime Prevention Commission and Neighborhood Watch.”

“With the combination of declining crime and increased enforcement, the Antioch Police Department enjoyed one of its most productive years in the last decade,” she continued. “Chief Cantando will be expanding on all of the 2015 accomplishments at the January 26, 2016 City council meeting.”

“We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the businesses, community groups, and citizens of Antioch for their ardent support as we continue to proudly serve this city,” Aguinaga added. “Thank you.”

According to the City of Antioch 2015 Crime Statistics on the city’s website, there were seven homicides in 2015 versus nine in 2014; 53 rapes instead of 54 the year before; 280 robberies over 320; and 431 aggravated assaults over 466. Arson was also down with 36 in 2015 versus 43 in 2014. The largest drop in Part 1 crimes was burglaries with 862 in 2015 versus 1,317 in 2014, a 34.5% decrease.

But, theft was up with 2,026 in 2015 over 1,850 the prior year, a 9.5% increase. Motor vehicle thefts were almost the same with one more at 1,024 in 2015 versus 1,023 in 2014.

While violent and property crimes were down, with the total number of arrests up over 2014, overall crime appears to be up. There were 737 more Adult Arrests in 2015 over 2014, but 82 fewer Juvenile Arrests for a net increase of 655.

When asked how the APD can claim crime is down when arrests are up, Cantando replied, “We’re comparing our crime to 2014. We’re being more proactive with more time where we were able to go out and make more arrests.”

“For example if we had 10 burglaries last year and arrested five people for those burglaries and this year we had 10 burglaries and arrested eight people for them, arrests are up, but crime was the same,” he explained.

The APD doesn’t keep statistics on non-Part 1 crimes, which are the ones they have to report to the FBI, “which is what every city across the country has to report,” Cantando stated.

“We’re comparing apples to apples with all other departments who report to the FBI,” he continued. “We may go out and arrest people for a drug crime. But, that’s not a Part 1 crime.”

Calls for service, which aren’t necessarily crimes, such as auto accidents, are also up because “more people are calling us and reporting crime, so we’re getting to those crimes and making those arrests,” he added.

According to an FBI report on the 461 cities and 1 unincorporated community, out of a total of 482 cities, in California that report crimes, Antioch was ranked the 428th safest city in the state in 2014. Neighboring cities ranked higher on the list. Pittsburg was ranked 224th, Brentwood was 156th and Oakley was 88th safest. The safest cities in the county were Orinda at 7th, followed by San Ramon at 11th and Danville at 19th. For similar size cities to Antioch, Concord was 304th and Richmond was ranked one higher at 427th. Oakland was ranked the least safe city in the Bay Area at 460th and Stockton was close at 458th. The final rankings for 2015 are not yet available. For more information on the FBI 2015 crime statistics click here.

To hear Cantando’s report to the Antioch City Council, you can either attend the meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall at West 3rd and H Streets in downtown or watch it live on Comcast Local Cable Access Channel 24 or on the city’s website via live streaming at http://ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm. The Council meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

As published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated January 15, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando. More serious or interesting crimes highlighted in bold.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 01/07/16 00:00:00 – 01/13/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,511

Number of Case Reports: 260

Number of Arrests: 87

Felony: 37

Misdemeanor: 50

Arrests with DUI charge: 1

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 1/14/16 at 3:25 am, an officer observed a stolen Honda driving on E. 18^th St and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle immediately fled on 18^th Street and south onto L St. The vehicle entered the wrong side of the roadway on L Street and the pursuit was immediately terminated.
• ·On 1/14/16 at 2:32 am, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger for failing to stop at a stop sign. The driver initially was slow to pull over but came to an almost complete stop on Carpenteria Dr just as the street transitioned from Garrow Dr to Carpenteria Dr. The driver looked back at the officer, and then accelerated away. The driver almost immediately turned onto the Delta de Anza Regional trail to flee and we terminated the pursuit. Officers responded to the registered owner’s home and contacted the 71 year old owner of the Ford who advised his truck should have been parked in front of his home. The vehicle was entered into as stolen. Officers took photos of the damage that was caused to the gate on the trail and a memo is forthcoming
• ·On 1/13/16 at 9:34 pm, officers contacted 34 year old Dangelo Boone on a pedestrian stop. He provided the officers with a false name of “Bertram Johnson” but advised them he was on probation and also told them he had some “Crystal” in his pocket. Boone was searched and arrested for possession of methamphetamine and probation violation. He was transported to county jail where his identity was confirmed through fingerprints as Boone. Boone is on parole.
• ·On 1/13/16 at 5:00 pm, officers were providing extra patrol in the area of the Amtrak station on First St. Officers observed 55 year old Mark Fox standing near the train station and they knew he had an outstanding warrant. Fox was taken into custody on the warrant without incident and transported to county jail.
• ·On 1/13/16 at 10:20 pm, officers were in the area of Cavallo Rd and E.18^th Street when they observed a Honda motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. Officers lost visual of the motorcycle and circulated the area. It was located on Woodland Dr occupied by 35 year old John Sanborn who is on parole. During a search, Sanborn was found to be in possession of several shaved keys. The motorcycle also had a shaved key in the ignition. Officers were unable to locate the owner of the motorcycle to determine if the vehicle was stolen or not. The motorcycle was towed and stored. Sanborn was cited and released from the scene.
• ·On 1/13/16 at 8:18 am, a citizen was driving in the area of W 8th St and G St and saw 23 year old William Landers beating and punching a puppy repeatedly. The puppy was in a red target shopping cart that Landers was pushing. Officers in the area located Landers and the puppy. The puppy appeared lifeless and could not move. Landers stated the puppy fell out of the cart and he was trying to administer CPR. Animal Control responded and took the puppy to be treated. The vet stated the puppy had body contusions consistent with being severely beaten, and its body temperature had dropped below being measurable. Based on the statements of the witness and vet it was determined that Landers had clearly beaten the dog. He was arrested and transported to county jail for felony animal cruelty.
• ·On 1/13/12 at 12:10 am, an officer conducted a pedestrian stop on 23 year old Jason Lee at D St and Rossi St. Lee was found to be on felony probation in our county for weapons violations. During a probation search, 2.8 grams of heroin was found on Lee. Lee was arrested without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·On 1/12/16 at 8:43 pm, officers responded to the 2100 block of Lopez Dr on a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers located a shattered back window with blood on it and a blood trail leading to the back fence. A few minutes later a neighbor reported seeing suspicious people on Lucena Dr. Officers responded to the area and contacted 18 year old Gregory Smith, 19 year old Taylor Reed and 19 year old Delshon Dixon. Dixon was found to have fresh cuts and blood on his hands. Officers were able to link the three to the burglary on Lopez Dr. A computer check revealed Dixon had a no bail warrant for his arrest and is on probation for burglary. All three were arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/12/16 at 7:38 pm, Chief Cantando was at the City Council meeting this evening when he heard the sound of tires squealing. He walked outside to see 21 year old Zachary Hubler spinning donuts in his Ford Mustang in the Palms Lot located at 638 W 2^nd St. Chief Cantando got in his vehicle and was able to make an enforcement stop on Hubler. Hubler was subsequently cited for reckless driving and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• ·On 1/12/16 at 1:16 pm, an 18 year old male victim was brought to the Sutter Delta Hospital ER with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was subsequently transported to a trauma center and underwent emergency surgery. He is listed in critical but stable condition. The investigation led us to a residence in the 4700 block of Shannondale Dr where it was discovered the shooting happened in front of a house. We were provided a possible name for the shooter, but we were unable to locate anyone with that name after a records search. The suspect came to the house and confronted the victim over a girl who the victim is dating. During the argument, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot the victim one time before fleeing in a gold colored Hyundai. A .45 cal casing was located at the scene.
• ·On 1/12/16 at 12:45 pm, a retired sheriff’s deputy who now works as a real estate agent was contacted by another agent who advised him there were squatters in a vacant house he is listing in the 3100 block of view Dr. The real estate agent went to the house to check on it. When he went inside he contacted Gary Duarte, age 43, who was running through and hiding in the house. The real estate agent has a concealed weapons permit and held Duarte at gunpoint until APD arrived. A citizen’s arrest for trespassing was made. Duarte was brought to APD where he was booked and released on a citation.
• ·On 1/12/16 at 2:07 am, an officer contacted 21 year old Jamie Lassman at the intersection of Hillcrest Av and Plymouth Ln. The Lassman initially provided a false name, but ultimately provided her true name. A computer check revealed she had a no bail warrant out of Santa Clara County. Lassman’s identity was confirmed and she was later booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 9:40 pm, an officer responded to the 2700 block of Minta Ln to recover a stolen vehicle. During his neighborhood canvass, he learned 29 year old Michael Maloney has had possession of and has been driving the stolen vehicle. Maloney was staying in an in-law unit to the rear of a Minta Ln address. Maloney was contacted and he admitted to driving and having possession of the vehicle. Maloney was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 8:58 pm, Officer’s responded to the area of Citibank at 47 E 18th St for a report of males assaulting a female. Upon arrival, Officers saw a male subject run away from the area and believed it to be Raymond Cardoza, age 24. The 54 year old female was located and uncooperative. Officers knew Cardoza had a no bail warrant for his arrest and continued to circulate. Approximately 90 minutes later, an officer saw Carrillo driving a Honda with Richard Carrillo, age 47, in the passenger seat in the area of the Citibank. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle fled. Officers followed the vehicle where it pulled over at the intersection of Ross St and Woodland Dr. Both Carrillo and Cardoza were taken into custody without incident. Both had outstanding warrants for their arrest. They were booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 5:28 pm, the victim reported he was driving on Golf Course Rd when he began to make a turn onto Lone Tree Way. 22 year old Ezzard Lamison was crossing against the light. When victim honked at Lamison he produced what was later determined to be a pellet gun at him. The victim called APD and officers quickly responded and detained Lamison in the area. Lamison was positively identified as the person who brandished the weapon at him and was arrested. He was later cite-released.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 9:07 pm, the manager was in the kitchen of Celia’s located at 523 W 10^th St when he heard noises coming from the area of the cash register. When he went to the front of the business, he noticed an unknown adult male armed with a gun at the register. The suspect pointed the gun at the manager while he was attempting to get money out of the register but ultimately fled from the business without any money or property. The manager had already taken the money from the register for the evening.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 12:13 pm, we received a call that 28 year old Sunny Pal was at a house in the 3600 block of Brookdale Dr and was wanted by Pittsburg PD for a felony assault that occurred the night before. Pal had punched his mother numerous times and fractured her face. Pal left the residence before officer arrived, but he was being followed by a witness. Pal was located driving in the area of Lemontree Way and Peppertree Way. He fled when officers tried to stop him. Officers pursued Pal through town and ultimately onto the Antioch Bridge. Pal jumped out of his moving vehicle and then jumped off the bridge from the top. He survived the fall and was brought to shore by two fishermen who saw him jump. Pal’s vehicle continued down the bridge without a driver heading for the toll plaza where there were several people and vehicles stopped. An officer was able to drive his patrol vehicle past and in front of Pal’s vehicle to stop it just before Pal’s vehicle reached the bottom of the bridge. The patrol vehicle suffered minor damage. Pal was transported to an area hospital and admitted. Pittsburg PD took custody of Pal for their investigation. APD Investigations were notified and are working on numerous additional felony charges against Pal.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 7:34 am, the 21 year old victim was at home on 9th Street when he saw a subject in his backyard trying to get into his house through a window. The victim called APD and thought he had scared the suspect away. As we were enroute to the call, the subject broke a rear bedroom window with a brick and entered the house. As Officers arrived on scene, 23 year old Clarence Sims exited the house into the waiting arms of several officers. Sims attempted to run but was caught by an officer who tackled him in the middle of the street. At that point, Sims began to actively resist and fight with officers. It took a total of 4 officers to get Sims into handcuffs. Sims was taken directly to county jail. Two officers suffered minor cuts and scrapes to their hands and knees that did not require medical attention.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 5:54 am, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to stop at a stop sign at W. Madill St and G St. Up on contacting the driver, Mychael Plew age 25, dispatch advised the vehicle was reported stolen. Plew and the passenger, Marjorie Sloan age 34, were arrested without incident. Plew is also on parole. Plew was booked into county jail. Sloan was released at the scene pending further investigation.
• ·On 1/11/16 at 1:50 am, officers had taken a stolen vehicle report approximately one hour prior. They located the vehicle in the Jack in the Box drive thru at 2505 A St. As they pulled in behind the vehicle, Brooke Baughman, age 39, exited the passenger seat and began walking away. 29 year old Anthony Ramirez (the driver) got his food, and then exited out of the lot and drove east on Bryan Av. A high risk stop was conducted on McGinley St and E. Madill St. Ramirez was taken into custody without incident. Baughman was contacted and found to have a warrant for her arrest. Both were booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/10/16 at 6:31 pm, a 47 year old employee was working as a clerk at the Shell Gas Station located at 2701 Hillcrest Av when an unknown male entered the business armed with a handgun. The suspect robbed the business at gunpoint and then fled in an older model Honda Civic. The responsible was not located.
• ·On 1/10/16 at 1:35 pm, 35 year old Sandra Ginnochio was upset she was being discharged from the hospital and decided to break windows on numerous cars in the parking lot. We located Sandra and subsequently sent her to county jail as she stated that if we didn’t take her to jail she would keep breaking windows. (update) When the Sheriff’s Office released her from county jail, Ginnochio began breaking windows on several vehicles in the parking lot. She was re-arrested by deputies after a brief struggle and booked back into county jail.
• ·On 1/10/16 at 12:55 pm, an officer observed a stolen Honda Accord driving on E 18^th St. He followed it until other officers could arrive to assist. Once they arrived a high risk stop was conducted and 29 year old Arthur Castro was found to be the driver. 47 year old Derek Jones was the front passenger and was released from the scene pending further investigation. Castro denied knowing the car was stolen and refused to provide a statement. Castro was sent to county jail and the vehicle was towed.
• ·On 1/10/16 at 10:30 am, Starbucks located at 3201 Delta Fair Blvd called APD advising of a 34 year old male, Jonathan McFarland, drinking the from the creamers and refusing to leave. While we were enroute, dispatch received a call from Chevron advising of a male fitting the same description as McFarland had just stole wine and assaulted a clerk on his way out of the business. McFarland was seen running across the street into the Firestone parking lot. Once he was there he was detained by several officers. McFarland was positively identified as the responsible in the theft and the stolen wine was recovered and returned to the gas station. McFarland was booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/9/16 at 1:45 pm, Officers were called to 1236 Giovanni St for the report of squatters inside. Upon arrival, officers contacted Frankie Marie Garcia age 34 sitting in the driver seat of a reported stolen vehicle. She was taken into custody without incident and admitted to possessing and driving the stolen car. She was booked into county jail. On 1/9/16 at 8:18 am, an unknown vehicle collided with a city owned fire hydrant at E 6th and A St sheering it off at the base. The vehicle fled the scene and was not located. There were no witnesses to the actual collision.
• ·On 1/8/16 at 1:08 am, officers responded to Jack-in-the-Box at 2705 Hillcrest Ave for a subject passed out in his vehicle in the drive-thru. When officers arrived, Aldo Ramos age 33 had just left. During an area check, an officer saw Ramos driving westbound on Larkspur Dr in front of Jack-in-the-Box. Before the officer could pull out to attempt a vehicle stop, Ramos drove over the center median in front of the Shell gas station on Larkspur Dr and rolled his vehicle onto its roof. Ramos crawled out from the vehicle and was contacted. He was uninjured, but found to be heavily intoxicated. He was transported to the hospital and later cite released for DUI after a consented blood draw.
• ·On 1/8/16 at 9:47 pm, a 17 year old female called dispatch stating she was at 4200 Eagleridge Dr (Eagleridge Park) and had been involved in two armed bank robberies. One robbery was at Citibank in Stockton and the other in Vallejo. Officers located the female in the park who explained that she took part in a robbery of Citibank in Stockton the day before with two other individuals. We called Stockton PD who confirmed the information. A lengthy non-custodial statement was recorded regarding her and others involvement. Stockton PD requested we provide her a ride to Discovery Bay where they took custody of her for further questioning.
• ·On 1/8/16 at 12:44 pm, 19 year old Matthew McCarthy came to APD for a vehicle release and was found to have a warrant for his arrest. McCarthy was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 1/8/16 at 8:24 am, a 32 year old male showed up at Sutter Delta with a single non-life threatening gunshot wound to his right thigh. The male told officers that he met with a subject he only knew at “T” near Starlight Dr. to illegally purchase a rifle. The male said he reached into his car while “T” was showing him the rifle. “T” possibly thought he was reaching for another gun, so “T” shot him with the rifle. “T” then fled in an older model Toyota Camry. The male called his cousin who drove him to the hospital.
• ·On 1/8/16 at 12:31 am, officers were in the area of Belshaw St and Evergreen St for an area check related to a shot fired call. While in the area, officers observed a stolen BMW. The vehicle fled the area and officers began an area check for it. The vehicle was seen again on Evergreen St. Officers followed it to East 18th St where a traffic stop was attempted. The driver, later identified as 33 year old Ricky Barnette, fled and led officers on a short pursuit. The pursuit was terminated when Barnette entered eastbound Highway 4 heading westbound. Barnette was seen colliding with an eastbound vehicle head-on just east of the Cavallo Road overcrossing. Officers entered Highway 4 and found the 26 year old victim in his vehicle with severe injuries. He was initially unresponsive. The occupants of the stolen BMW were initially not located, but witnesses advised they were seen fleeing on foot with a puppy along the westbound shoulder. A responding officer saw them climbing through an opening in the sound wall and coming down the embankment under the Cavallo Rd overcrossing. Barnette did not obey commands but was eventually handcuffed. The other 2 were taken into custody without incident. All 3 were uninjured. A search of the car located 6.2 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and a loaded stolen gun in the center console. The victim was transported to the hospital and was taken into surgery to repair several fractures. Barnette was cleared and booked into county jail. CHP responded and handled the collision.
• ·On 1/7/16 at 6:52 pm, the victim, 65 year old female, was driving west on 19th St and having difficulty finding a place to park. She circled around and a male subject behind a tree began shooting at her vehicle. Her vehicle was struck 5 times and we located 5 casings near where he was standing. She was unable to identify the male who fled the scene prior to our arrival. The victim was not injured as a result and has no idea why someone would shoot at her.
• ·On 1/7/16 at 6:18 pm, a 39 year old male was walking home from Safeway on Deer Valley Rd. While walking south on Burwood Way he noticed a male walking towards him. The male was wearing a hood covering his face. As soon as the male got close to him, the male punched the victim once in the face causing him to fall to the ground possibly losing consciousness for a short time. When he woke up, the victim noticed the male walking away from him towards Deer Valley Rd. He checked his pockets and noticed his wallet missing. He gathered himself and walked to his residence. Upon arriving home, his father drove him to a local area hospital. The victim was treated for minor injuries and was later released.
• ·On 1/7/16 at 2:30 pm, an anonymous citizen reported to Contra Loma Estates Management that there had been a shooting on Peppertree Way earlier in the morning. There were no reports of this incident to APD dispatch. Contra Loma Security reviewed their surveillance video and was able to locate the shooting at 9:52 am. The video showed two males exit a white SUV type vehicle in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way and open fire on a subject standing in front. The shooters then fled in the vehicle. Security called dispatch after finding the video and officers responded to the scene. Officers located three 9mm shell casing and four .32 caliber casings in the street. They located two apartments and one vehicle that were struck by gunfire. It does not appear that anyone was injured.
• ·On 1/7/16 at 1:16 pm, the 15 year old victim was riding his hover board in the area of Lone Tree Way and Indian Hill Dr. An unknown male adult approached the victim from behind and pushed him from the hover board onto the ground. The suspect took the hover board and fled on foot. The victim was not injured and the responsible was not located.

By Rick Sullivan

The soon to be award winning hip hop musical, My Block, will run February 9, 10, and 11 at the California Theatre in Pittsburg and feature Antioch’s own Lenard “The KYD” Jackson. This new, breakthrough musical, by Pittsburg native Federico Bartolo III, has been referred to by many as “The musical version of the Wire.”

You don’t want to miss this play, with an original sound track that will be one you’ll want to purchase and take home.

The story centers around Raphael, a young man living in an urban city where money is hard to come by and you have to fight for what you get. His best friends run drugs and the lead the gang that rules the streets of his block. While his friends entice him to join them in making easy money in the streets Raphie finds the love of his life. The only problem is the woman he is falling for is the little sister of his best friend. Will Raphie fight his circumstances to be with the woman he loves or be seduced by the fast life of easy money and crime? Join us for an incredible event filled with unforgettable music, explosive dancing, and breathtaking drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The California Theatre is located at 351 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg.

Performances will be Tuesday – Thursday, February 9-11 at 7 PM

Tickets are $15 General Admission, $12 with student or military ID, $10 with high school or middle school ID and can be purchased at www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

The building where Humphrey’s on the Delta was located.

By Allen Payton

After three years of dormancy, the building that used to house Humphrey’s on the Delta Restaurant at the Antioch Marina, may have a new tenant.

On an agenda filled with 14 items at Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Council will consider a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a lease with Everett & Jones Barbeque. Staff is recommending the Council approve the LOI.

Everett & Jones Barbeque from their website.

According to the staff report, “Everett and Jones is a regionally well known restaurant brand, with four east bay locations…two in Oakland, one in Berkeley and one in Hayward. They also sell barbeque sauces that are carried in a number of supermarkets.”

Their other locations feature banquets, catering, live music and of course the food, including smoked chicken and pork ribs, beef brisket, homemade links, and their own Saucey Sistah Ale. Owned by Dorothy Everett and Jordan Jernigan, Everett started the restaurant chain in 1973 with her eight daughters, one son and a son-in-law, who is the one with the last name Jones.

If approved and once the LOI is signed, city staff will draft a lease and negotiate with the owners. The negotiated lease will then be brought back to Council for approval.

A contractor working with the owners estimated a cost of between $400,000 to $500,000 in improvements in order to prepare the building to reopen as a restaurant.

For more information on Everett and Jones Barbeque visit their website at www.eandjbbq.com. To see the full staff report on the Council meeting agenda item, #5, click here. Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 3rd and “H” Streets in downtown Antioch and begin at 7:00 p.m. They can be viewed on Comcast Cable Local Access Channel 24 or on the city’s website via live stream at http://ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm.

By Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Special Operations Unit

On Saturday, January 21, 2016 at 3:10 a.m., Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of the sound of gun shots in the 900 block of Badger Pass Way. One caller advised of a van driving away from a house at a high rate of speed. Officers located the van driving away from the location and a traffic stop was conducted.

The officers noticed numerous bullet holes in the van and the passenger was bleeding from an apparent injury to his head. Paramedics were called to the location of the traffic stop and it was determined that this injury was not a gunshot wound.

Officers located approximately 10 pounds of fresh marijuana in the van along with some indoor

marijuana grow equipment. Officers went back to the original location that they had been dispatched to and noticed that the roll up garage door had been forced open from the inside out as if a vehicle drove through the metal door. There were additional bullet holes going through the

walls into the living area of the house. The officers determined that this house had been converted into an indoor marijuana cultivation. It was also determined that the van was the same

vehicle that had driven through the garage door.

The Antioch Police Department Special Operations Detectives were called out to the location. The detectives served a search warrant on the house. The detectives found a sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation to include over 300 mature marijuana plants. The evidence was collected and the house was boarded up.

The passenger was transported to an area hospital to be treated. He was treated for his injuries, which were determined to be non life threatening.

Both the driver, Chun Li (34 years old) and the passenger, Jianhong Li (37 years old) were arrested and booked into the county jail for marijuana cultivation.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact Detective Hoffman at (925) 779-6931.

The Antioch Police Department is currently recruiting for VIPS (Volunteers In Police Service). The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2016.

If you are interested in becoming part of the VIPS, an application and questionnaire may be printed from www.ci.antioch.ca.us. Go to the VIPS tab of the police department link. The completed application and questionnaire can be dropped off at the front counter of APD. Lieutenant Don LaDue may be contacted with questions about the program at (925) 779-6977.s currently No

Who are VIPS?

The Volunteers In Police Service or VIPS program was started in January 2001. Currently we have more than 40 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds that assist the police department in many of its everyday functions. They share a desire to do something positive about today’s crime problems and contribute to our community. VIPS contribute thousands of hours annually of volunteer service to the Department. VIPS are provided distinctive uniforms and patrol vehicles. They act as additional “eyes and ears” for the Police Department

Our Goal:

To form a partnership where trained volunteers can enhance and support the department freeing up officers and staff for higher priority duties by placing volunteers in rewarding activities which utilize their experience, interests and talents and to provide the public the opportunity to become more familiar with the services offered by the department.

Activities of the VIPS include:

Clerical and administrative support, traffic control, special events, abandoned auto abatement, radar trailer placement, vacation house checks, crime scene duties, and parking enforcement.

Antioch Historical Museum Board of Directors is currently planning to build a mini-museum Firehouse Garage Display on its property.  This display will present Antioch’s Fire Services history dating back to 1874, when the department consisted of 16 volunteers and eventually became the City of Antioch’s Fire Department.

The two main highlights on display will be the City’s 1927 Ford Model T fire truck and a 1903 water hose wagon cart originally donated many years ago by the Antioch Woman’s Club.

The museum’s Firehouse Committee would like to request all residents who have members of their family serving as former or current firefighters to please consider donating artifacts for use in this new display.  Examples of needed items include:  fire department work and dress uniforms, helmets, masks, badges, certificates, fire extinguishers, alarm boxes, fire hydrants, photos, and other miscellaneous items of interest.  The Display Committee will make the final determination regarding which items will be displayed.

The museum committee members would like to have as many items donated as possible by or before February 15 because the firehouse display is tentatively scheduled to open in May, 2016 with the actual date to be determined later.

Items can be brought to the museum any time on Wednesdays or Saturdays between 1 – 4 p.m. or by special appointment for other times during the week.  Also, adults with experience driving Model T’s who would like to be considered as drivers of the fire truck are welcomed to apply.  People who are interested in going through the drivers training program are also encouraged to apply.

Contact Project Coordinator Tom Menasco at 925-325-3255 for further information or to schedule special non-regular museum hour appointments.  Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available for new folks to join the project committee as well.

State Senator Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, announced Wednesday he introduced legislation to ban rifles with fixed magazines that are easily detached by a mechanism known as the bullet button.

Sen. Glazer is joint author with Sen. Isadore Hall, D-Los Angeles, on the bullet button ban, SB 880.

A bullet button assault-style rifle was used by the shooters who killed 14 people and wounded 21 in the San Bernardino terrorist attack last month.

“This isn’t about hunting or home protection,” said Sen. Glazer. “I believe everyone has a right to hunt and to protect their families from harm in their home. It’s about a mechanism on assault-style rifles whose sole purpose is to allow someone to kill a lot of people quickly.

“We need to make it more difficult for a deranged person to enter a schoolyard, movie theater, or workplace with a rapid fire weapon. This measure is another small but important step in making our communities safer.”

Existing law prohibits the possession or sale of assault weapons and limits magazines to 10 rounds. But a loophole in the law – allowing guns with fixed magazines to be modified with a simple “tool”– has led to the manufacture of assault-style guns with magazines that can be easily detached – contrary to the spirit of the assault-weapon ban. The magazines are equipped with a button that can be pressed by a bullet or other tool to quickly detach the magazine.

Since the magazine requires a tool, the magazine is considered “fixed” and therefore legal.

“For years, gun owners have been able to circumvent California’s assault weapon laws by using a small tool to quickly eject and reload ammunition magazines,” said Senator Isadore Hall. “These types of modifications have no legitimate use for sport hunters or competitive shooters. They are designed only to facilitate the maximum destruction of human life. Such weapons have been used in a number of domestic gun attacks including the recent terrorist attack in San Bernardino that left fourteen Californians dead and 21 injured. SB 880 is an important step to further protect Californians from our nation’s gun violence epidemic.”

The modification has allowed military-style rifles like the AR-15 to proliferate in the state, according to news reports. They’re some of the most popular guns used at gun ranges for target practice.

“Gun makers have exploited a loophole in the law that expressly prohibits assault weapons in California,” Glazer said. “We’ve seen the horror of these weapons with mass murders. We should not allow weapons that are designed specifically for modern warfare to proliferate on our streets.”

Senator Glazer worked as a senior staffer for Sen. President Pro Tem David Roberti in enacting a ban, in 1989, on assault weapons in California, the first state in the U.S. to do so. As mayor of Orinda, he was a charter member of the national organization, “Mayors Against Illegal Guns.” Glazer represents Antioch and most of Contra Costa County and parts of Alameda County in the State Senate.