Los Vaqueros Reservoir. courtesy of CCWD.

After leaning on Los Vaqueros Reservoir for supply during the drought, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is pleased to announce that the reservoir is now holding more water than it ever has for its customers.  The reservoir is doing its job and the filling underway is good news for serving customers now and into the future.

This week, the reservoir’s storage level rose above 133,000 acre-feet, surpassing the high reached in 2013.  CCWD will continue to fill while conditions are favorable, depending on Delta water quality and energy costs.

“Los Vaqueros continues to serve CCWD customers well, especially during this drought,” said CCWD Board President Lisa M. Borba. “Customers responded tremendously to the call for conservation, and we were able to save conserved water in the reservoir, positioning us well if dry years continued. Now we are adding to our water saving account.”

CCWD owns and operates Los Vaqueros Reservoir primarily to manage water quality for the 500,000 residents of central and eastern Contra Costa County.  Water from the Delta is pumped into the reservoir when water quality is good and then is used to keep water quality delivered to its customers high when salinity levels rise in the Delta.  The off-stream reservoir located near Brentwood was originally constructed in 1998 with the ability to store up to 100,000 acre-feet of water.

An expansion of the reservoir was completed in 2012 increasing the capacity to 160,000 acre-feet.  Stores of water in the off-stream reservoir reached a then high of 132,900 acre-feet in 2013 and was then drawn upon, as designed, to meet water supply demands during the past few years of drought.

With strong and steady storms this winter supplying fresh water to the Delta, CCWD has turned on its pumps to move high quality water into Los Vaqueros for future use.

Learn more about CCWD and Los Vaqueros Reservoir at www.ccwater.com.

Juvenile Hall makes determination based on overcrowding, prior arrest history

By Allen Payton

According to Antioch Police, on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at 10:58 am, a 13 year old male was arrested after assaulting a classmate at Antioch Middle School. The juvenile suspect was sent to Juvenile Hall for felony assault.

Then on Tuesday, Jan. 24th at 1:46 pm, Antioch Middle School staff called to report a 13 year old female student was detained in the office for assaulting her teacher. Upon the officers’ arrival, they determined the student had punched her substitute teacher in the face several times causing her to fall to the ground. While on the ground, the student continued to hit the victim several more times. School staff attempted to intervene and the student assaulted one of them. The victim suffered minor injuries from the assault. Several students filmed the assault with their cellular phones and the videos were collected as evidence. The student was issued a juvenile citation and was released to the custody of her mother.

When asked why the girl wasn’t taken to Juvenile Hall, Antioch Police Captain Tammany Brooks said it was up to Juvenile Hall to decide due to overcrowding and other details.

“When a juvenile is taken into custody for a felony, officers call over to Juvenile Hall, explain the charges, and Juvenile Hall staff determines whether or not they are willing to accept him/her,” he said. “When Juvenile Hall refuses to take an arrestee, we issue a citation and release to a parent.

“Juvenile Hall is extremely overcrowded and typically take kids arrested for very violent felonies, and who are a threat to the public,” Brooks explained. “They also are mandated to take kids who have outstanding warrants. Therefore, they screen all potential incoming kids and turn away ones who don’t fit that criteria.”

When asked why the boy was treated differently and what message that was sending to the other students, Brooks explained further.

“Each case is different,” he stated. “Boy or girl, prior arrest history, availability on the module, etc. that’s why we call first to get a yay or nay.”

“We’d prefer to send them all (to Juvenile Hall), but we’re at their mercy,” Brooks added.

When asked about the two incidents and if the school or district had taken any disciplinary action against the students, Antioch Superintendent Stephanie Anello responded.

“Our disciplining students is separate from any action law enforcement might take so I really can’t speak to the decision to send one student to Juvenile Hall versus the other,” she said. “The school discipline is based on the California Education Code and our discipline matrix and is in addition to any action law enforcement might take.”

However, she did not say if either of the students had been or would face any discipline, such as suspension or expulsion.

Fire at Animal Services

Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in Assistant City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated January 27, 2017 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 01/19/17 00:00:00 – 01/25/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,600

Number of Case Reports: 282

Number of Arrests: 84

Felony: 37

Misdemeanor: 47

Arrests with DUI charge: 5

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

• • 1/26/17 at approximately 12:09 am, officers contacted the adult male victim in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Lone Tree Way. The victim reported that he was walking to his car when an unknown adult male struck him on the back of the head with a metal object. He was knocked to the ground and the suspect took his wallet and other items he had just purchased. The victim did not see where the suspect went and sustained a minor injury to his head. He refused any medical treatment. The suspect was not located.
• • 1/25/17 at 7:00 pm, officers responded to a strong-armed robbery that occurred in the Food Maxx parking lot on Lone Tree Way. Officers contacted the adult female victim at her residence. She reported she was walking to her car about an hour prior to calling the police when an unknown adult male ran up from behind her and grabbed her purse off her shoulder. She attempted to retain the purse, but the suspect managed to pull it off and ran to a waiting dark colored, 4-door vehicle driven by another male suspect. The suspects then fled the parking lot. The victim stated she did not suffer any injuries from the incident. No suspects were located.
• • 1/25/17 at 5:03 pm, an officer was dispatched to assist the Fire Inspector with an investigation where a male juvenile was caught lighting a bathroom paper towel dispenser on fire at Antioch High School. The 16 year old male admitted to lighting the fire and also admitted to starting ten other fires in the past. The juvenile was arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall for arson.
• • 1/25/17 at 4:15 pm, officers were dispatched to the Somersville Town Center for four juveniles who were asked to leave the property and threatened to assault a mall security guard. Officers arrived and contacted the four juveniles who were refusing to leave. The security guard gave a statement that one of the juveniles (a 16 year old male) threatened to kill him. Officers arrested the juvenile who made the threats and told the other three juveniles that they needed to leave the property. One juvenile (a 15 year old male) refused to leave the property and started telling the officers that he did not need to leave. The juvenile started to walk back towards the mall, and an officer moved in to arrest him. The juvenile started to flee on foot, and the officer took the juvenile into custody after a brief struggle. While they were taking that juvenile into custody, his two friends (both 15 year old males) tried to interfere with the arrest and were arrested for obstruction. One of the juveniles was sent to Juvenile Hall for obstructing police. The other three juveniles were booked at the Antioch PD jail and later released to their parents with a citation.
• • 1/25/2017 at 12:35 pm, an officer went to a residence in the 600 block of Doolittle Way to look for 35 year old Michael Martinez who had a warrant for his arrest. Martinez was found hiding in the attic of the residence after being challenged by an Antioch PD K9 officer. Martinez was arrested without incident and booked into County Jail.
• • 1/25/2017 at 10:51 am, an officer contacted 22 year old Adrian Orduno near G St. and 10th St. A records check revealed Orduno had a warrant for his arrest. Orduno was arrested without incident and booked into County Jail.
• • 1/25/17 at 02:21 am, officers were dispatched to a solo vehicle collision into a parked car on Evergreen Ave. Upon arrival, officers located the driver, 25 year old Lorreyna Ruiz. Ruiz was found to be intoxicated. She was arrested without incident and transported to County Jail for DUI.
• • 1/24/17 at 5:00 pm, the reporting party called police to report 22 year old Travis White had a warrant and was currently at his residence on Aster Dr. Officers responded and located White on the front porch. He was arrested on his warrant and sent to County Jail.
• • 1/24/17 at 1:46 pm, Antioch Middle School staff called to report a 13 year old female student was detained in the office for assaulting her teacher. Upon the officers’ arrival, they determined the student had punched her substitute teacher in the face several times causing her to fall to the ground. While on the ground, the student continued to hit the victim several more times. School staff attempted to intervene and the student assaulted one of them. The victim suffered minor injuries from the assault. Several students filmed the assault with their cellular phones and the videos were collected as evidence. The student was issued a juvenile citation and was released to the custody of her mother.
• • 1/24/17 at 10:22 am, officers responded to Antioch High School on a report of 33 year old Cheryl Smith urinating in public and refusing to leave the school. Upon the officers’ arrival, they determined Smith to be heavily intoxicated. Smith was arrested for being drunk in public, and she was sent to County Jail for a sobering period.
• • 1/24/17 at 9:44 am, dispatch received a call from an anonymous male stating there were two vehicles shooting at each other. Upon arrival, officers located a witness who saw an unknown male in a white, older model sedan shoot a gun from the vehicle and take off westbound on E. 18th St. at a high rate of speed. Officers were unable to locate any expended shell casings in the area and no victims came forward.
• • 1/23/17 at 9:54 pm, an officer was on patrol when he saw 40 year old Charles Livous sitting on a bench in front of a business located at 3103 Delta Fair Blvd. There are signs attached to the business that clearly state that it is private property and there is to be no trespassing. The officer asked Livous why he was in front of the business and Livous stated that he was hanging out in front of the business to use the stores WIFI connection. Livous was given a citation for trespassing and released at the scene.
• • 1/23/17 at 6:26 pm, 21 year old Matthew Beck was driving west on W. 18th St. Beck ran a red light and collided with a vehicle traveling north on G St., driven by a 30 year old female who was eight months pregnant. The pregnant female was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by the fire department. She was transported to an area hospital for complaints of pain. Beck was determined to be driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and sent to County Jail for DUI.
• • 1/23/17 at 2:12 pm, the victim reported 58 year old Tony Cotton had robbed her and took her cellular phone and purse on Lemontree Way. Upon the officers’ arrival, they learned that Cotton had grabbed the victim’s arm and forced her cellular phone from her hand and stole her purse. Cotton fled the scene and was later located at his residence. Cotton was in possession of the victim’s phone and was taken into custody without incident. Cotton was on felony probation for firearms violations. Cotton was booked at Antioch PD and later transported to County Jail on the charges of robbery and probation violation.
• • 1/23/17 at 1:21 pm, officers responded to a home in the 400 block of H St. to assist the Fire Department with a structure fire. Upon the officers’ arrival, the home was found to be fully engulfed. The occupants of the home were not home at the time and later arrived on scene. Fire investigators responded to the scene and found no signs of arson. The victims declined the assistance of Red Cross. Code Enforcement responded and tagged the home as unsafe.
• • 1/23/17 at 11:35 am, an officer was providing extra patrol to the CVS building on Somersville Rd. The officer made contact with 57 year old Tamara Williams going through the trash can to the rear of the business. The business is closed and it was posted with no trespassing signs. The owner of the business requested Williams be arrested for trespassing. Williams was placed under arrest and released on scene with a citation.
• • 1/23/17 at 10:47 am, the victim’s daughter reported her mother’s residence on Birch Ave. was found to have been burglarized. The victim had recently been placed in a care home. The victim’s daughter had been packing and cleaning the house in preparation to list the house for sale. All valuables, to include tools, antiques, jewelry, etc. had been placed in boxes inside the garage. When the victim’s daughter arrived on scene to check on the house she discovered the property missing with signs of forced entry. No suspects were located.
• • 1/22/17 at 11:58 pm, 47 year old Samuel Odei was driving his vehicle westbound on Buchanan Rd. just west of Somersville Rd. when he jumped the median and hit a city owned pole. Odei was determined to be driving under the influence. Odei was arrested without incident and transported to Antioch PD for a blood draw. Odei was then transported to County Jail for DUI.
• • 1/22/17 at 10:29 pm, an officer was inside of the Starbucks Coffee Shop on Lone Tree Way when he was contacted by the store manager. The manager advised that 25 year old Jackson Githua had locked himself inside of the Starbucks women’s bathroom for the past 30 minutes and would not leave the bathroom. The manager also advised that Githua had been in the store earlier harassing customers, and officers had given him a trespass warning at that time. Officers made contact with Githua, placed him under arrest without incident, and sent him to County Jail since the crime was likely to continue.
• • 1/22/17 at 9:20 pm, an officer contacted 49 year old Paul Lomeli riding a bicycle in front of the Dairy Queen on E. 18th St. The officer recognized Lomeli and knew he had an outstanding warrant. The officer arrested Lomeli without incident. Lomeli was issued a Promise to Appear with a new court date and released at the scene.
• • 1/22/17 at 5:00 pm, two unknown males entered the East County Veterans Thrift Store on W. 2nd St. The owner observed one of the males conceal a red and black Marine Corps hat under his jacket. When the owner confronted the suspect, he denied concealing a hat and emptied his pockets to show her. In doing so, he exposed the concealed hat under his sweater. When the owner pointed out the hat, the suspect slapped her hand away. He then knocked over a display and left the store. The other male was not directly involved but walked out with the suspect. The suspect was not located. The owner was not injured.
• • 1/22/2017 at 10:54 am, an officer was dispatched to the 2200 block of Mandarin Way for a report of mercury in the roadway. Upon the officer’s arrival, he located a large amount of liquid mercury in the roadway. The Fire Department responded to the scene who ultimately contacted the County Hazardous Materials team. The Hazardous Materials team responded and collected the mercury. Officers were unable to determine where the mercury came from.
• • 1/22/2017 at 9:14 am, an officer made a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Lone Tree Way and Davison Dr. The officer contacted 26 year old Jose Ortiz in the front passenger seat. During a routine warrants check it was discovered Ortiz had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest out of Alameda County. Ortiz was taken into custody without incident and later booked into County Jail.
• • 1/22/17 at approximately 7:48 am, officers made contact with 38 year old William Escobar at his residence on Carpinteria Dr. The officers were familiar with Escobar and knew he was past his annual sex offender registration by six weeks. Escobar was taken into custody without incident. Escobar is on two counts of probation and was transported to County Jail for a probation violation and for failing to register.
• • 1/22/17 at 4:34 am, an officer observed a vehicle that appeared to have driven off the roadway into the open field near Hillcrest Ave. and Sunset Dr. The driver, 33 year old Victor Yantas, was contacted asleep behind the wheel. Yantas displayed objective symptoms of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. He refused field sobriety tests and was determined to be DUI. Yantas was arrested without incident and transported to County Jail.
• • 1/21/17 at 10:17 pm, an officer patrolling the area of Peppertree Way located a previously reported stolen vehicle with 34 year old Lawrence Wiley getting out of it and walking away. The officer took Wiley into custody without incident. Wiley was found to be in possession of keys that operated the ignition of the stolen vehicle. Wiley was booked into County Jail for auto theft, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools. He was also booked on an unrelated outstanding arrest warrant.
• • 1/21/17 at 8:57 pm, an officer contacted 35 year old Dawanna Hall and 22 year old Jason Perez loitering on the property of the closed CVS pharmacy located on Somersville Rd. Both subjects have been warned in the past regarding trespassing on the property. Antioch PD had a trespass letter on file from the property owner. Both subjects were issued citations and released.
• • 1/21/17 at 10:42 am, a fire broke out in the Antioch City Animal Services laundry room at 300 L St. A dryer was on fire and employees evacuated the building with several animals. The fire alarm activated throughout Animal Services and the Police Department. At one point, the dryer was fully engulfed and heavy smoke filled the hallways. Fire responded and extinguished the flames. One employee was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
• • 1/21/17 at 4:28 am, the reporting party called Antioch PD while watching 32 year old Robert Rominger and 44 year old Michael Thomas looking into cars parked in the AutoZone Parking lot on A St. Officers arrived and contacted Rominger and Thomas walking away from a Honda with a freshly smashed window. Both were detained and Rominger was found to have the vehicle owner’s property in his possession. Both were taken into custody and it was determined Thomas was just present and had no involvement in the theft. Rominger gave a full confession when interviewed. Thomas was released per PC 849(b), and Rominger was later transported to County Jail for auto burglary.
• • 1/21/17 at 2:19 am, officers responded to the 3200 block of Tabora Dr. for the report of a vehicle that had struck several vehicles and crossed the sidewalk into the bushes. On arrival, 39 year old David Holland was contacted nearby and found to be heavily intoxicated. Holland was not injured, but his car was totaled. He failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. Due to being involved in a collision, he was transported to an area hospital. Holland provided a blood sample and, due to his level of intoxication, was held at the hospital for a sobering period and released per PC 849(b).
• • 1/20/17 at 10:31 pm, officers noticed 25 year old Thomas Costa sitting on the front porch of 39 E. 6th St. They were aware Costa had several warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody for two warrants for drugs and alcohol violations. He was sent to County Jail.
• • 1/20/17 at 8:29 pm, the victim had just arrived home on Rossi Ave. and was walking to her front door from her car, when she was pushed from behind and then pulled to the ground. The suspects, later identified as 18 year old Chris Revuelta, a 16 year old female; and a 14 year old male began kicking and hitting her while taking her purse and car keys. All suspects got into her vehicle parked nearby in the driveway and fled the area. An area check was done with negative results, and a County Wide BOLO was sent out. Later in the shift, officers received information that Pittsburg PD had located the victim’s vehicle in the 600 block of Carpino Ave. Pittsburg officers were able to detain Revuelta and the 16 year old, but the 14 year old managed to flee on foot. Antioch PD officers responded and took over the investigation. The victim responded and was able to identify both Revuelta and the 16 year old. Both were later transported to County Jail and Juvenile Hall. An area check for the 14 year old met with negative results. The vehicle and most of the contents of the victim’s purse were returned to her. She suffered minor injuries from this incident, but declined any medical treatment. The 14 year old is currently being sought for his involvement.
• • 1/20/17 at 3:06 pm, officers were called to a parking lot in the 2700 block of Hillcrest Ave. for a suspicious vehicle with people possibly selling drugs. Officers contacted 27 year old Stephen Toungett in the driver’s seat and 26 year old Brent Ferguson in the passenger seat. Officers observed cash, a scale and marijuana in plain view on the center console. During a search of the car, officers located over four pounds of processed marijuana, over $1,600 in cash and two electronic scales. During the investigation, Ferguson lied about his name. His identity was eventually discovered and he was issued a citation for providing a false name to police. Toungett was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and booked in County Jail.
• • 1/20/17 at 10:58 am, a 13 year old male was arrested after assaulting a classmate at Antioch Middle School. The juvenile suspect was sent to Juvenile Hall for felony assault.
• • 1/20/17 at 10:00 am, officers went to an address on Magnolia Way to follow-up on a petty theft that occurred at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on A St. Officers found the responsible vehicle and made contact with 27 year old Lewis Butler in the passenger seat. Butler was evasive with officers and refused to give his identification. Butler got out of the van and tried to flee towards the residence. Officers caught Butler before he could make it into the home and were able to get him into handcuffs after a brief struggle. Butler was found to have a probation violation warrant. He was sent to County Jail on his warrant. Officers were able to recover the stolen property from O’Reilly’s and arrested the responsible, 26 year old Darrin Hughes at the location, as well. He was also sent to County Jail on a probation violation.
• • 1/19/17 at 11:56 pm, officers responded to a silent alarm at the Brown Cow Dairy on Delta Fair Blvd. The building was secure, but 35 year old Michael Kyle was contacted on the side of the business. He was found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail.
• • 1/19/17 at 9:39 pm, 18 year old Genisis Barrera was contacted at her residence on San Jose Dr. Officers were aware there was probable cause to arrest her for assaulting and robbing her mother a few days prior. She was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail.
• • 1/19/17 at 1:50 pm, the victim was walking down the street on Ridgeline Dr. when a group of subjects walked up from behind her and ripped her purse from her shoulder. The victim never saw the suspects’ faces but gave a good description of their clothing. An officer was conducting an area check and saw a vehicle leaving the area occupied by several subjects. One of the subjects was wearing a shirt described by the victim. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the four teenage occupants. They all admitted some involvement in the theft and took the officer back to a house where they dumped the victim’s purse. One of the subjects, a 15 year old male, was a suspect the officer had been looking for regarding a robbery that occurred on the 17th at Deer Valley High School. This suspect was the primary responsible in that case, as well. He was sent to Juvenile Hall and the others were issued citations and released. The victim’s property was returned to her.
• • 1/19/17 at 8:09 am, officers were dispatched to a home on Reimche Dr. for the report of a trespasser at the location. This location was a Red Tagged house by Code Enforcement and Antioch PD had been dispatched there numerous times for trespassing issues. Upon arrival, 39 year old Crystal Garner was contacted and was confrontational with officers refusing to listen to orders being given to her. She was taken into custody after a brief struggle. She was issued a citation and released.

Transit agency failed to implement plans notifying first responders of the presence of large quantities of hazardous materials at its facilities throughout the Bay Area

Martinez, , CA – The Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney, along with District Attorneys from Alameda County and San Mateo County, announced today that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson has ordered San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to pay $1.275 million as part of a settlement of a civil environmental prosecution alleging that the transit agency failed to implement hazardous materials business plans at facilities throughout the three counties as well as violating aboveground storage tank, underground storage tank, and hazardous waste laws.

The judgment agreed to by BART, resolves allegations made in a civil enforcement lawsuit filed January 31, 2017 in Alameda County and covers environmental violations dating back to January 2010.  The lawsuit claimed that at over 30 of BART’s 190 facilities throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo Counties, BART unlawfully failed to establish and implement a hazardous materials business plan for emergency response to a release or threatened release of hazardous materials.  These hazardous materials included large quantities of diesel fuel, petroleum, sulfuric acid contained in industrial batteries, and fire extinguishing chemicals.  The lawsuit further alleged that at these and other facilities, BART violated its environmental obligations related to its aboveground storage and underground storage of petroleum, and its hazardous waste.

“The protection of the public and the environment from dangerous hazardous materials through the enforcement of environmental protection laws is and always will be a high priority,” say District Attorney, Mark A. Peterson. “I am committed to ensuring both private and public entities comply with environmental laws enacted to protect our community and environment.”

In January of 2014, during routine compliance inspections, hazardous materials inspectors from the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health observed large aboveground storage tanks containing diesel at BART facilities in East Dublin/Pleasanton, West Dublin, and Castro Valley. These tanks, which contained 500 to over 1,700 gallons of diesel, fueled backup generators and were located in close proximity to areas accessed by thousands of BART commuters each day.  Despite the presence of large quantities of hazardous materials, BART had never implemented a hazardous materials business plan for any of these facilities as required by law.  These plans contain critical emergency response information for first responders, such as firefighters, and BART employees, should there be a release or threatened release of hazardous materials into the environment.  These hazardous materials business plans are designed to ensure the protection of the public and the environment in the event of a hazardous materials spill.

The violations were brought to the attention of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Environmental Protection Division who then conducted a follow up investigation with the District Attorney’s Offices’ Environmental Protection Units of Contra Costa County and San Mateo County.  The Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Program and San Mateo County Environmental Health Division also conducted inspections of all BART facilities in their respective Counties.  The follow up investigations revealed that BART’s failure to implement hazardous materials business plans was more widespread and covered over 30 BART facilities in the three counties.  The investigation also revealed that, at numerous other BART facilities, BART was committing violations of California’s aboveground storage tank, underground storage tank, and hazardous waste laws.

BART was cooperative throughout the investigation and worked hard to bring their agency into substantial environmental compliance.  During the investigation, BART hired an third party to conduct an audit of its environmental management programs and the audit identified areas of improvement related to hazardous materials, aboveground storage tanks, and hazardous waste. As part of the settlement, BART agreed to implement the recommendations from this audit.

As part of the settlement, BART agreed to implement the recommendations from this audit.

Under the settlement, BART must pay $675,000 in civil penalties paid out, according to statute, to other government agencies, and $300,000 to reimburse the costs of the investigation.  As part of the settlement, BART must also commit $300,000 to an additional environmental compliance position, for a total of two such positions for the next two years.  BART will also be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future violations of law.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 78th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. The event will occur on Saturday, February 4th 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will be cleaning the neighborhoods adjacent to Knoll Park and surrounding streets. Volunteers will meet on Valley Way and park along the curb next to Knoll Park (see map, below). Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance.

Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

This is a collaborative community effort, which involves active participation from the Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community.

photo provided by APD.

By Lieutenant Trevor Schnitzius #2840, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at approximately 7:47 a.m. Antioch Police were dispatched to a suspicious occupied vehicle in the 2000 block of Eucalyptus Way. The reporting party advised dispatchers the suspect, later identified as Joseph Malfitano, age 34, matched the description of a mail theft suspect they had seen on the “Next Door” application.

Officers contacted Malfitano and during a subsequent search of his person and vehicle found he was in possession of mail belonging to approximately 30 individual victims. Malfitano was also in possession of an altered driver’s license bearing his photo but with a victim’s personal information.

Malfitano was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the charges of identity theft, California Penal Code sections 530.5 (c)(3) and 529.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated January 20, 2017 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 01/12/17 00:00:00 – 01/18/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,673

Number of Case Reports: 253

Number of Arrests: 63

Felony: 29

Misdemeanor: 34

Infraction: 0

Arrests with DUI charge: 1

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

• · 1/19/17 at 3:06 am, officers responded to Clear Comm Wireless on Sycamore Dr. for a general burglary alarm. Upon arrival, officers found the rear door forced open. The business was cleared, and no one was located inside. There was no reported loss, and it appears the alarm scared the responsibles away. 24 year old Esteban Rodriguez was contacted nearby during an area check and found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and later transported to County Jail. He was found to have no involvement in the attempted burglary.
• · 1/18/2017 at 5:04 pm, 3 teenage females and 2 teenage males entered Sears on Somersville Road. One of the females stole a jacket from the store. A store loss prevention officer attempted to stop her and was attacked by the two male juveniles. The group fled and was stopped by officers a few blocks away. The three juveniles involved in the theft and assault were arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall for robbery. A second female in the group was found to have a warrant and was also arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall. The victim suffered minor injuries and did not require medical attention. The stolen jacket was returned to the store.
• · 1/17/17 at 9:22 pm, the owner of South North Dragon Chinese Restaurant was delivering food to an address on Swallow Way when he was attacked by unknown males and robbed of his food. The victim sustained minor injuries from the assault. The suspects fled on foot and were not located. Officers spoke to the residents at the Swallow Way address, and they do not appear to be involved at this time.
• · 1/17/17 at 5:54 pm, Antioch PD was advised of a stolen vehicle westbound on Sycamore Dr. Officers responded and located the vehicle on Sycamore Dr. at Auto Center Dr. waiting at the light. Officers followed the vehicle until it pulled into Grease Monkey Oil Change at W. 18th St. and Auto Center Dr. and parked. A high risk stop was done on the vehicle and the driver, 30 year old Brandon Moore, and his passenger, 27 year old Sydney Cook, were taken into custody without incident. Moore was sent to County Jail and Cook was later released per PC 849(b).
• · 1/17/17 at 1:17 pm, an officer was on routine patrol on Auto Center Dr. near Sycamore Dr. and saw 34 year old Walter Wilhite who he recognized from prior contacts and knew to have an outstanding warrant. Wilhite was arrested without incident and sent to County Jail.
• · 1/17/17 at 10:40 am, an officer saw two subjects in the parking lot at Carl’s Jr on Lone Tree Wy. He recognized one of them as a trespasser he had admonished earlier. He contacted both and they consented to a search. He located suspected methamphetamine on 22 year old Luc Foglizzo and an operable, antique unloaded pistol in his vehicle. Foglizzo stated the pistol was a family heirloom, and his father gave him permission to possess it. His father responded and confirmed Foglizzo’s going down the “wrong path” but did have permission to have the pistol. Foglizzo was issued a citation for the narcotics and released at the scene.
• · 1/17/17 at 8:30 am, an officer conducted a suspicious vehicle stop at the Dollar Tree on Delta Fair Blvd. and contacted the occupant, identified as 48 year old Kirt Grant. Grant was found to have an outstanding warrant and arrested without incident. He was transported to County Jail.
• · 1/16/17 at 10:41 pm, an officer saw 21 year old James Coker get into a Honda and drive away from a gas station on Hillcrest Ave. After the Honda entered westbound Hwy 4 at Hillcrest Ave., the officer was eventually able to get the plate, and it came back stolen out of Antioch. Coker was driving at high speeds as the officer followed while waiting for a cover unit. As they approached Loveridge Rd., officers activated their emergency equipment. Coker immediately shut off his lights and began weaving in and out of traffic. The pursuit lasted 3/10 of a mile before it was terminated. Coker was last see turning around on the freeway and driving eastbound in the westbound lanes. The original officer went back to the gas station and contacted the clerk, who identifed Coker by name as an old classmate of hers. Officers responded to Coker’s residence on Paulette Way, and his mother let officers in. Coker was found sleeping on the couch with a shaved key under his pillow. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail for the stolen vehicle and felony evading. The stolen Honda was not located after an extensive area check in the neighborhoods around Coker’s residence.
• · 1/16/17 at 2:00 pm, employees at In-Shape on Lone Tree Way called police after observing 18 year old Ray Moore and a 16 year old male in the parking lot for over 45 minutes. They watched as Moore looked into several cars parked in the parking lot before trying to smash one of the car windows with a rock. The rock missed the window and dented the window frame. Moore and the juvenile suspect saw the employees and began to walk away, just as an officer arrived on scene and quickly detained them without incident. The owner of the vehicle was located inside. Moore was sent to County Jail for attempted auto burglary and the juvenile suspect was issued a juvenile citation and release to his mother.
• · 1/16/17 at 12:50 pm, officers were dispatched to the Shell Gas Station on Auto Center Dr. for several juveniles causing a disturbance inside. Dispatch then updated that one juvenile assaulted an employee. Officers detained a 15 year old female who matched the description of the responsible walking away. The victim positively identified the juvenile as the person who assaulted her, causing visible injuries. The juvenile was arrested without incident and released to her adult sister with a juvenile citation.
• · 1/16/17 at 11:30, 38 year old Aesha Johnson was contacted by officers and determined to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and released on a citation with a new court date.
• · 1/16/17 at 11:02 am, 2 juvenile males came up behind a customer walking down an aisle in Lowes. The 16 year old suspects bumped into the customer and pulled his wallet from his rear pocket. The customer turned around and saw the suspects running away in different directions. One suspect made it out of the store as nearby customers cornered the other. This juvenile ran around the blockade and out of the store to be met by an arriving officer. The suspect was arrested and issued a juvenile citation. He was released to his mother at the scene.
• · 1/15/17 at 6:18 pm, 55 year old Rick Hanson was driving westbound on W. 18th St. from Auto Center Dr. when he crashed his car into the rear end of a vehicle parked legally along the south curb. Hanson’s car appeared to be a total loss. Hanson was believed to be driving under the influence and was arrested and transported to Antioch PD. He was later cited and released from the PD for DUI.
• · 1/15/17 at 3:10 pm, an officer responded to the Convenient Launderette on W. 10th St. for a call of unwanted guests and people loitering. When the officer got there, he told a group to leave and watched 38 year old Peter Barrera get in the back seat of a car with no other occupants. Eventually the officer contacted Barrera when there was nobody else left in the area to drive the car away. A consent search of Barrera yielded narcotics. A further search of the vehicle was done, and a loaded firearm was located in the passenger compartment. Barrera was arrested and sent to County Jail on weapons and narcotics charges.
• · 1/15/17 at 11:00 am, an officer saw 35 year old Michael Martinez and another subject standing in the street on South Lake Dr. When Martinez saw the officer, he made furtive movements towards his waistband area. The officer turned around and contacted Martinez and his companion. Martinez advised he was on searchable probation, but also consented to a search of his backpack. The officer located a replica pistol with the orange tip removed in a holster. Martinez was arrested without incident and sent to County Jail for altering a replica firearm and a probation violation.
• · 1/15/17 at 8:15 am, an officer saw 48 year old Shane Agness in front of a residence on W. 19th St. and knew he had an outstanding warrant. Agness was arrested without incident and released with a new court date and a citation.
• · 1/15/17 at 3:49 am, officers responded to the ER lobby of Sutter Delta Hospital for a patient causing a disturbance and refusing to leave after being discharged. 43 year old Dominique Bryant was contacted and found to have a warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail.
• · 1/14/17 at 8:20 pm, 2 unknown adult females entered Rite Aid on E. 18th St. and stole bottles of alcohol. They both attempted to walk out the front door, when the store manager directed the uniformed security guard working near the door to stop them. The security guard blocked the door and attempted to stop the suspects and recover the alcohol. A struggle ensued, and both females ran out when 2 unknown adult males entered the store and helped them get free. The suspects fled the location and were not located. The security guard was transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries sustained from the fight.
• · 1/14/17 at 4:26 pm, 26 year old Denzale Foster was walking away from the Holiday Lodge, after repeatedly trespassing at the location, when officers arrived and detained him. Foster was initially semi cooperative with officers. The victim demanded Foster be arrested and signed a citizens arrest form. When Foster was advised he was being placed under arrest, he refused to listen to orders and get into the patrol car. It took 2 officers to eventually get him seated in the back seat. Foster was transported to County Jail for trespassing and resisting arrest.
• · 1/14/17 at 9:19 am, employees of the Shell Gas Station on Auto Center Dr. contacted Antioch PD regarding a group of transients loitering on the side of their building. Upon arrival, 29 year old Emmanuel Easter was contacted and found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody and sent to County Jail.
• · 1/14/17 at 3:22 am, an officer was in the area of Mahogany Way and Auto Center Dr. when he located an occupied stolen vehicle being driven by 26 year old Samuel Bailey with 29 year old Brandon Henderson as the passenger. The officer followed the vehicle onto westbound Hwy 4 and into Pittsburg. Pittsburg PD responded and assisted in the stop when the vehicle exited at Harbor Way. Bailey yielded on Railroad Ave. near Hwy 4, and both were taken into custody without incident. The vehicle was towed, and Bailey was booked into County Jail. Henderson was released per PC 849(b).
• · 1/14/17 at 12:41 am, 25 year old Brandon Daws was contacted by officers after causing a disturbance inside an apartment complex on San Jose Dr. He was found to have a warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into County Jail on his warrant.
• · 1/13/17 at 11:58 pm, 39 year old Gabriel Johnson was contacted by officers in the 600 block of O St. He was found to be heavily intoxicated and causing a disturbance. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail for public intoxication.
• · 1/13/17 at 6:19 pm, Antioch PD officers were called to the AMC Theatre for approx. 40-50 teens refusing to leave and kicking the doors to get in. Upon arrival, officers encountered a very large group blocking the entrance. The manager asked for our assistance in removing the juveniles who were being unruly both inside and outside the business. She agreed to shut down the theatre and lock the doors. It took us almost 45 minutes just to clear the front box office area, and the group moved to Taco Bell and McDonalds causing similar issues. Officers moved them out of the restaurants and eventually out of the area. Officers were on scene for over 160 minutes dealing with the large group. The doors to the theatres were damaged but no suspect was identified at that time.
• · 1/13/17 at 2:52 pm, Fremont PD Detectives came to Antioch to investigate an identity theft ring that occurred in their city. During their investigation, they learned a newer BMW X3 was purchased fraudulently and was parked in front of a home on Greensboro Way. Fremont PD set up on the BMW and called Antioch PD when they saw 40 year old Demetrius Wilson near the SUV. Antioch PD officers arrived on scene and detained Wilson. He was in possession of the keys for the BMW and admitted to driving it. He was arrested and sent to County Jail. Antioch officers also detained 46 year old Jolly Dohm, who was inside the garage at the address. She had a felony warrant for identity theft. She was also sent to County Jail.
• · 1/13/17 at 12:15 pm, an employee at the Shell Gas Station on Lone Tree Way called regarding 20 year old Tracy Jackson, who was back at Shell after being arrested the day before for trespassing at the location. Upon the officer’s arrival, Jackson saw the officer and tried to walk away. The solo officer eventually caught up to him and had him sit on the curb while waiting for a cover unit. When cover arrived, Jackson tried to run away but was quickly taken to the ground and handcuffed. The employee at Shell Station signed another citizen’s arrest and Jackson was sent to Count Jail for trespassing and resisting arrest.
• · 1/12/17 at 10:42 pm, 24 year old Thomas Carpenter was contacted by officers and found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into County Jail.
• · 1/12/17 at 6:09 pm, an employee was closing up the office at Auto Works Detail on W. 10th St. while other employees were finishing up a customer’s vehicle. As the employee was coming out of the office, she heard someone come inside the shop. The lone suspect was holding a handgun and robbed the victims of personal items before fleeing on foot. The suspect was not located.
• · 1/12/17 at 4:53 pm, 46 year old Keith Pace was observed driving westbound on Sycamore Dr. in a 2005 GMC Yukon. When an officer ran the license plate, dispatch advised it was a reported stolen out of Pittsburg PD. The officer followed the vehicle until it pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot on Mahogany Way. A high risk stop was conducted, and Pace was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested for the stolen vehicle and sent to County Jail.