Chase Bank branch on Lone Tree Way. Photo courtesy of GoogleMaps.

By Sergeant James Stenger 3604, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, April 6, 2018 at approximately 9:51 AM, a black male adult walked into the Chase Bank at 4300 Lone Tree Way in Antioch and gave a teller a demand note, for cash. The suspect indicated that he was armed with a gun, but no gun was seen. The male fled the bank on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect was not located, and this case is still being investigated at this time.

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.

Inside Lauryn Jewelers. Photo from Yelp.

By Acting Lieutenant Rick Martin #3343, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On April 6, 2018, at approximately 10:41 a.m., the three males suspects were armed and attempted to rob the Lauryn  Jewelers store, located at 5887 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. As the suspects, a 16-year-old male from Pittsburg, and a 15-year-old male and 26-year-old male from Oakland, fled the store, the store clerk called 9-1-1 and provided a detailed description of the suspects and the vehicle they were driving.

An Antioch PD Officer located the vehicle on Highway 4 and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle became disabled and stopped in the area of Highway 4 (bypass) and Fairview Avenue. The suspects fled on foot from the vehicle and into a nearby retirement community in the City of Brentwood. Antioch PD with the assistance of Brentwood PD and Pittsburg PD quickly established a perimeter in the neighborhood. All three suspects were located and taken into custody without further incident.

Anyone who may have information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at 925-778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Guns seized in arrest by CASE Team included an AR-15. Photo by CCCSheriff

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The CASE (Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort) Team last month launched an investigation into a person who was allegedly buying guns in Nevada (that were illegal in California), transporting them into California and selling them. Following the investigation, the CASE Team obtained an arrest warrant for 50-year-old Virgilio Salazar of Antioch and a search warrant for his home.

Salazar was arrested on March 27, 2018. During a search of his home, the CASE Team seized a .223 Colt AR-15 as-sault rifle, CZ 9mm semi-auto assault pistol, three large capacity rifle magazines, and two large capacity pistol magazines.

Salazar was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: importing an assault rifle, possession of an assault rifle, and importing large capacity magazines. He is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail. He has since bailed out.

The CASE Team is a joint effort by the Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburg Police Department, Walnut Creek Police Department, and Probation Officers from the Contra Costa County Probation Department. CASE was created in November 2011 as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crimes in Contra Costa, especially those related to illegal firearms.

Deadline Extended – Due April 18, 2018

Measure AA is expected to generate $25 million annually for San Francisco Bay restoration over the next 20 years. Funding from this voter-approved measure will allow for the restoration of thousands of acres of natural habitat for wildlife, support our local economy, improve access to public lands, address flooding issues, and create thousands of new jobs.

The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority’s Governing Board seeks six individuals to serve on the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee. The Committee has three main roles:

1. Annually review the Authority’s conformance with Measure AA.
2. Review the Authority’s audits and expenditure and financial reports.
3. Publish an annual report of its findings, which will be posted on the Authority’s website.

The Board seeks committee members from all four Bay Area regions (North Bay, East Bay, South Bay and West Bay) with special subject matter expertise. Each member of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee must possess expertise in one or more of the following:

• Water quality
• Pollution reduction
• Habitat restoration
• Flood protection
• Improvement of public access to the San Francisco Bay
• Financing of these objectives.

Ineligibility Factors for Membership

No person may serve on the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee who:

• Is an elected official or government employee;
• Has had or could have a financial interest in a decision of the Authority; or
• Is affiliated with an organization associated with a member of the Governing Board.

Apply to serve on the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee by April 18, 2018.

Application Submittal, Materials, and Deadline

Send your application to karen.mcdowell@sfestuary.org by April 18, 2018. Electronic signatures and scanned signatures will be accepted.

• Call for Applications
• Application Form
• Guidelines for the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee

For more information, visit the SF Bay Restoration Authority’s website or contact Karen McDowell, Project Manager, SF Bay Restoration Authority or 415-778-6685.

By Jesus Cano

Antioch High

In the past couple of years, the Panthers have struggled to perform well when it comes to league play.

Last year, they made it into the division II playoffs, and knocked off Windsor, one of the top seeded team. Head coach Nick Wisely says his team is coming in strong and hoping to create some noise in league play.

“The goal is to get into the playoffs and at least win two games in there.” Wisely said.

Ayanna Sanchez was only a freshman when she made headlines by tossing a perfect game. Fast forward to her senior year, she has developed even more as pitcher and team leader according to Wisely. She is also committed to Chapman University.

The pitching depth continues for Antioch, as sophomore Bailee Reed has had to make appearances on the circle with the absence of Sanchez early in the season. In the teams 14-0 pre-league victory over Las Lomas, she threw a no hitter, recording 15 strikeouts. Reed is also is the team’s second baseman, where she batted a team high .381 batting average.

Freshman Haley Painter is a key batter for the Panthers according to Wisely. She leads the team in RBIs with eight and has a batting average of .375.

One obstacle Wisely notes, is that the BVAL is a tough competition with top teams like Heritage and Freedom always going back and forth for the league title. He says his team is up for the task.

Jazmine Alanís,Priscilla Self and Alissa West.

Deer Valley High

The Wolverines are coming off a tough season where they finished league play with a 3-7 record, and now face the challenge of having to play shorthanded.

“We’re adjusting to having players play positions they are not used to playing due to the fact we had players not return from last season that we were counting on returning.” said head coach Amy Tillson.

Even with the unexpected lack of returning players, Tillson says he team demonstrates a “Never Quit” mentality.

Junior Jaleah Hardy has had to showcase her versatility this year, stepping into pitch, the position for the Wolverines squad that faces the most adversity. Hardy has pitched in every single game this season, tallying up a ERA of 2.97.

Hardy’s primary position is first base, but with her having to pitch, freshman Leila Engelhard has had to step up to the plate, and takeover first base. She is batting an average of .429, the most on the team.

One of the returning players of the team is senior Desttany Parker, who is described by Tillson to be a huge leadership presence. She is also a leader on the statistics sheet, as she has the team high slugging percentage (.533).

Other notable players include Sarah Figueroa and Haley McKenna.

Both Antioch schools will clash for bragging rights to open up the BVAL season on Tuesday, April 17 at Antioch High School.

By Jesus Cano

Antioch High

It is very safe to say that the Antioch Panthers want to put last season in the books, as the team went from BVAL champions, to not winning a single game.

Second year coach Mary Granado says that there is a huge attitude change between the team.

“The lack of egos this year has played a huge roll and allowed for open doors on growing together,” Granado said. “The boys have made huge strides in becoming a team and understanding what changes needed to be made for a more successful year.”

She also expects a growth in for every single player, so the development of team can be seen.

Termain High has been described to me the heart of the team with his strong ability to deliver big hits for the Panthers. Another hitter that has the size and strength is senior middle hitter Manny Mejia.

Mejia is part of the middle duo wit Kemar Carson, who according to Granado is a strong asset to the teams

Sophomore setter Timmy Luu stepped up big time last year for the Panthers, this year he has hit the ground running and continues to impress Granado.

Deer Valley High

The Wolverines have been one of the strongest programs in the past decade and is coming off a bounce-back season by claiming back its BVAL title.

Steve Evans has been in the program for seven years, and this year has been named to be under the helm of the Wolverines’ program

“I am really excited to be coaching the Varsity boys team,” said Evans. “I believe the boys have the talent to do very well in their league and expect them to go to the North Coast playoffs. The boys have a great work ethic with very supportive parents.”

Last year’s head coach Andrew Zollars remains on the staff.

Senior Erich Krueger is a four-year starter at the libero position, and played with some of Deer Valley’s best teams, but this year he has transitioned as an outside hitter.

Marc Reus lead the the league in assists with 967, which was a landslide, and along with Krueger, he’ll also have hitters Chris Pho and Justin Walters.

Walters is the returning player win the most kills from last with 168. Pho trails behind with 150.

From CHP-Contra Costa Facebook Page

Monday night, at approximately 10:00 PM, a shooting occurred on westbound Highway 4 at Bailey Road. While the victim’s vehicle was struck several times, the solo occupant was not injured.

CHP – Contra Costa is actively investigating this shooting with the assistance of Golden Gate Division – Investigative Services Unit.

If you have any information or may have witnessed this event call 1-800-TELL-CHP. We wish to thank the public for contacting us with information in tragic cases such as this.

By Sergeant Matthew Koch, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 9:31 pm, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of L Street on a report of gun shots heard in the area. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 28-year-old male suffering from several gunshot wounds in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. It was discovered the responsible(s) fled the area prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.