By CHP-Contra Costa

Saturday morning, May 23, 2020, at approximately 2:18 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on Hwy 4 eastbound, west of Hillcrest Avenue. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the driver, an adult male from Antioch, was inside the late nineties Toyota Camry and it was fully engulfed in flames. The car fire was put out by the Fire Department on scene and the driver was extricated and transported to a local hospital with severe burns. While in transport to UC Davis Hospital for his severe burns, unfortunately he was pronounced deceased by the emergency personnel. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased.

This incident is still under investigation and it is unknown as to why the driver crashed into the concrete center divider of Hwy-4 eastbound. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

Police stop “donut” car driver in Antioch Thursday evening, May 21, 2020. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

#TestDriveFail

Yesterday, at about 7 pm, a diligent #APDSwingShift officer was in the area of West 8th and K Streets in response to numerous complaints of vehicles doing burnouts. He spotted the driver of this Infinity doing his best to appeal to a cop’s love of donuts. Problem was, it was the wrong kind of donut, and the officer wasn’t amused, so he stopped the car and found out the driver was just doing a little “test drive.”

What happened to the car? You already know what happened – it was brought to #CarJail for 30 days and the driver received a future appointment with a judge to answer for his reckless driving. We appreciate all of your posts on this topic and will continue to address the problem with your help. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe!

#AntiochPD   #AntiochStrong #CVC23103 #CVC23109

Jewelry recovered and thief arrested on Friday, May 22, 2020. Photos by APD

By Antioch Police Department

Friday morning, May 22, 2020, at about 6:05 am, we received a call of a silent alarm at J.C. Penney in Slatten Ranch Shopping Center. While officers were responding, our Dispatch Center received reports of several more activations, with the alarm company advising the surveillance cameras were being taken offline from inside the building.

The first arriving officer located an open door, and upon checking it, a suspect quickly pulled it shut from inside. A containment perimeter was established on the building, and a search team was formed to include Canine Officer Smith and his partner Kona. After an hours long search, a suspect was found hiding behind a small wall above the ceiling tiles. He was arrested and found to be in possession of several articles of jewelry from inside the store.

Antioch Police surround the building, investigate inside with K-9 Kona.

Further investigation revealed at least two additional suspects entered, smashed the jewelry cases, and attempted to steal approximately $50,000 worth of jewelry. APD officers were able to find all of the stolen jewelry concealed in duffel bag inside the store. The two additional suspects were able to escape, but officers are continuing to investigate, and have good leads on their identities.

We would like to thank our friends at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, who assisted us with thermal imaging cameras while we performed our exhaustive search of the interior. We would also like to thank our residents for equipping us with several pieces of technology we were able to use to search the building, including our UAV (“drones”) and pole cameras. This technology makes our jobs easier and much safer.

#AntiochPD #ConFire #AntiochPDK9 #CanineKona #AntiochStrong

The White House

May 22, 2020

Our Nation mourns for every life lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and we share in the suffering of all those who endured pain and illness from the outbreak.  Through our grief, America stands steadfast and united against the invisible enemy.  May God be with the victims of this pandemic and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends.  As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 24, 2020.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Stolen car suspect seated in handcuffs on the side of Auto Center Drive Thursday, May 21, 2020. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Our friends at CHP – Contra Costa called over and said they had a Mercedes with switched plates (belonging to a Honda) pulled over on southbound Auto Center Drive near Highway 4 Thursday night, May 21, 2020. A check of the dashboard vehicle identification number (VIN) revealed the Mercedes was stolen from San Bruno, so APD Night Shift showed up like a sea of blue to help-out.

The driver is on his way to the county jail, and one more car is being returned to the rightful owner. Our partnership to keep East County safe is multiplied when we work together with our friends at the CHP. Nice bust fellas – call us anytime!

#AntiochPD   #CHPContraCosta   #EastCountyStrong   #CVC10851

On Monday, May 25, 2020, the City of Antioch will host a social distance drive-by Memorial Day Commemoration honoring those who gave their all for the freedoms in our country. The event will begin at 11:00 AM at the Antioch Marina in front of the Veteran’s Memorial at the foot of L Street.

Those who attend will then proceed to the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) to lay a wreath at the World War I Memorial.

That will be followed by a drive to Oak View Memorial Park to lay a wreath at the First Responders Memorial and conclude with a grab and go lunch in the parking lot of the VFW Post 6435 on Fulton Shipyard Road. The event is sponsored by the Rivertown Lions Club, VFW, and Delta Veterans Group. Please join us as we honor the lives of our fallen heroes.

For more information, please contact the event coordinators JR Wilson, Darlene Horn or Velma Wilson.

From CCHealth Coronavirus Dashboard.

By Allen Payton

As of this morning, Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is reporting a total of 1,259 cases of COVID-19/coronavirus, and a total of 36 deaths in the county. A total of 1,056 have recovered, which is 83.9%, consistent with the previously reported number of those who have tested positive for the virus and recovered.

There were 25 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, but only 9 people diagnosed with the virus currently hospitalized.

A total of 27,874 people have been tested for the virus in the county.

To see the all the statistics provided by CCHS, click here.

By Sergeant James Stenger, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

Suspect Marc Siegel. Photo by APD.

On May 18, 2020, at approximately 8:30 AM, Antioch police officers were called to a residence in the 1900 block of Iron Peak Court for a male subject who had been shot. It was determined there was an argument between roommates. (See related article)

During the argument one of the roommates, 43-year-old Marc Siegel, shot the other roommate, a 43-year-old male, who was declared deceased at the scene.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, this case was presented the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Marc Alexander Siegel was charged with one count of murder -Penal Code 187(a) – along with a firearm enhancement –Penal Code 12022.53(d)-. Siegel is being held at the County Jail in Martinez with bail set at $2,000,000.

Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Smith at (925) 779-6876. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.