Was hiding inside house; U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force had him surrounded

By Sergeant James Stenger / Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The Antioch Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Unit has been continuously working on the case of the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl in Antioch, following up on leads, interviewing witnesses, and processing evidence, since the evening of May 12th. The unimaginable violence of this crime, that took away such a young member of the community, pressed into service all the resources the department could bring into play. As the investigation quickly led to the identification of the suspect, Oakland resident Michael Dwyane Fritz, detectives reached out to the Oakland Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance.

On May 25th, Antioch’s Investigations Bureau, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, developed information that led to the peaceful arrest of Fritz. It was learned Fritz was hiding at a house in Oakland, on the 2300 block of 85th Avenue, which is a dense residential neighborhood near several schools. At about 3:00 pm, Deputy U.S. Marshals surrounded the residence and contacted the occupants. Fritz exited the house peacefully and surrendered to the Deputies. Afterwards, Fritz was turned over to Antioch detectives from the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units assisting at the scene.

The Antioch PD values the partnerships we have developed with these allied agencies, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oakland PD, for their support and assistance in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. The Antioch PD would also like to thank the communities for their assistance with this case. The case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later this week.

There are no outstanding suspects in this case and the Antioch Police Department believes this was an isolated incident.

Statement from U.S. Marshals Service

United States Marshal, Don O’Keefe, of the Northern District of California would like all Bay Area residents to know that the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force will continue to work diligently to ensure that violent fugitives in the Bay Area are brought to justice.

The U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who combine resources and work daily to apprehend violent fugitives from justice, such as Michael Fritz, through networking with task forces across the country.

She was 68-years-old, driver is 73; drivers of other cars released from hospital with minor injuries

By Sergeant Rick Martin #3343, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Tuesday, May 25,2021, at 12:17 pm, Antioch Police Officers were assisting a stranded motorist when they noticed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed, northbound on Somersville Road from Buchanan Road. The vehicle proceeded through the intersection of Delta Fair Boulevard, crossed over the center median and collided head on into a vehicle travelling south on Somersville Road. The force of the collision caused the responsible vehicle to collide into a second vehicle travelling south.

The driver, a 73-year-old male from Antioch, was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. His passenger, a 68-year-old female from Antioch was pronounced deceased at the scene. A third passenger, 56-year-old female from Antioch, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The drivers of the two victim vehicles, both from Antioch, a 22-year-old female hit head on, and a 40-year-old male, were transported to local hospitals and later released with minor injuries. The Antioch Police Department Traffic Division took over the investigation. Drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this investigation.

The accident had traffic backed up on the eastbound offramp and on the freeway. Both the northbound and the southbound lanes of Somersville Road between Delta Fair Blvd. and the Highway 4 overpass were blocked off during the investigation. A woman on the scene said she lives near Lowe’s and heard the crash from her home.

Names of the drivers are being withheld at this time until proper notifications are made to the next of kin.

No further information will be released 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.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Legal Aid at Work and Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch team up to provide free legal services in Contra Costa County

Legal Aid at Work and Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch are pleased to announce the launch of Legal Aid at Work’s newest location of the Workers’ Rights Clinic, devoted to employment law protections for all low-income workers. The clinic will launch on May 25, 2021, providing over-the-phone consultations. Thereafter, the clinic will operate every fourth Tuesday of the month. The Clinic will add in-person services, located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. It will operate in accordance with state and local guidance related to COVID-19. People in need of assistance may call (925) 522-2017 to make an appointment.

“Antioch is one of the largest cities in Contra Costa County and has one of the highest populations of low-income, Black workers in California,” said DeCarol Davis, Legal Aid at Work’s Director of Community Legal Services. “It has gone unseen and underserved for too long. We are trying to change that.”

Grace Bible Fellowship and Legal Aid at Work, two well-respected, service-driven institutions, open the clinic to provide free and confidential legal assistance to low-wage workers who are subjected to illegal practices on the job.

The clinic will help workers with problems such as minimum wage and overtime violations, failure to pay for work performed, or refusal to grant meal and rest breaks. The clinic will also provide counsel to clients regarding workplace discrimination based upon race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, disability, language proficiency and immigration status, and will offer information regarding unemployment compensation filings and appeals. Finally, the clinic will handle inquiries from employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at their workplace.

The institutions that have joined to make this new clinic possible are each committed to providing access to justice to those who are least able to secure it. Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch, a historically Black church, is a central institution in the Antioch community, providing a safe space for community members to gather in fellowship. Through its 27-need-based programs and ministries, the church has served a key role in enriching the Antioch community and providing resources for families to thrive.

“I am glad Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch has the opportunity to partner with Legal Aid and their team of attorneys,” said Pastor Kirkland Smith. “Our community-based focus, and their heart for the least of these is a perfect match for our community residents.”

Legal Aid at Work has represented low-income workers with employment law problems for nearly 50 years, relying on law students and volunteer supervising attorneys who practice in the field of employment law to deliver expert guidance and advice to clients. This is the first time the collaborative model used for Legal Aid at Work’s Clinic will be employed in Contra Costa County.

The new Antioch location of the Workers’ Rights Clinic was made possible by the generous support of the Arthur and Charlotte Zitrin Foundation.

 

Joyce Lavonne Bergerhouse

November 10, 1934 – May 9, 2021

Mother of Antioch school district leader and former principal Scott Bergerhouse and former Antioch Police Officer Steve Bergerhouse

Joyce Lavonne Bergerhouse passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband by her side on Sunday, May 9, 2021 (Mother’s Day).  She was 86 years old.

Joyce was born in Dwight, Kansas on November 10, 1934. She married William (Bill) Bergerhouse on December 26, 1954.  Bill and Joyce were married for 66 years.  Together, they had three children whom they raised in Kansas before moving to Antioch, California in 1965.  In October of 1967, Joyce began her career in California at Fremont Elementary School where she was an instructional aide, typist clerk, and then became the school’s Library Tech. (Librarian) in 1979.  She retired from Fremont Elementary School in March of 1997.

Joyce enjoyed traveling with Bill hauling their 5th wheel to many places throughout the country.  She loved to read and had so much love to share with family and friends. Joyce was a loving, kindhearted and amazing woman.  She always embraced life as it came.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Pearle and her brothers, Larry and Loren Nickoley.  She leaves behind her husband, William Bergerhouse, her son and daughter-in-law, Steve & Marilyn Bergerhouse, her daughter and son-in-law, Susan & Robert Barmore and son, Scott Bergerhouse. Joyce also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Jennifer, Randy, Jason, Trevor, Nicholas, Carly and Stefani, and ten great grandchildren: Jayse, Jake, Landon, Rylan, Quinn, Carson, Tristan, Rylee, Liliana and Kailiana Joy.  She will forever be in our hearts.

A “Celebration of Life” memorial service will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Beede Auditorium, Antioch High School, 700 W. 18th Street, Antioch, California. All are welcome.

14-item agenda begins with 5-year Capital Improvement Program study session, followed by presentation of Rivertown Dining District marketing program, adopting a Water Shortage Contingency Plan, more youth development programs such as All Inclusive Parks, plus easing restrictions on home occupations, expanding ban on smoking, giving city manager 15% pay raise

By Allen Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 the Antioch City Council will once again deal with 14 agenda items, as they did during last week’s special meeting. They include a study session on the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by a presentation on marketing for the new Rivertown Dining District, adopting a water shortage contingency plan, plus multiple youth development programs.

The council will also consider easing restrictions on home-based businesses, allowing for light manufacturing, such as crafts and other items that are sold on websites such as Etsy, as well as expanding the ban on smoking to include e-cigarettes. Finally, the council will consider increasing City Manager Ron Bernal’s annual salary by 15% to $293,712  which “reflects a positive review”, according to the staff report.

Water Management

The council will consider adopting a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) as part of the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan Update which will be submitted to the California Department of Water Resources. According to the city staff report, while the WSCP is done each year, this year the city must now provide information not previously required. That includes a description of the process for an annual water supply reliability assessment, five-year drought risk assessment, six water shortage levels and a seismic risk and assessment plan, among others.

Bicycle Garden

The youth development programs the council will be discussing include a Bicycle Garden, in coordination with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Street Smarts Diablo Region Safe Routes to Schools program. (See concept video)  Bicycle Garden presentation

According to the city staff report the proposed development of a state-of-the-art Bicycle Garden in Antioch would be the first of its kind in the region and is expected to be completed via public-private partnership funding. The Bicycle Garden would be a permanent, hands-on bicycle training facility fully contained within an existing Antioch park.

Designed like a miniature city streetscape, the Garden would provide a safe place for youth and adults to ride bikes and learn the rules-of-the-road. The park would consist of small roads that weave in and around landscaped areas with smaller scaled versions of real-life traffic features including signals, traffic signs, road markings, bus stops, bike lanes, train tracks, etc.

In addition to open and free public use by individuals and families, the Bicycle Garden could provide a variety of programming opportunities for the City of Antioch: school field trips, classes for children, teens, and adults of all ages and abilities; summer camp modules, community biking and safety events, private party rentals, and more.

The Antioch Bicycle Garden will serve four goals:

• SAFETY: Serve as the gold standard model for bicycle safety education, work toward a regional Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe traffic collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians; and provide hands-on bicycle, pedestrian, and driver safety education designed for both programmed and independent learning in a comfortable, fun, permanent, and car-free facility.
• COMMUNITY HEALTH: Increase and support community building, exercise, outdoor recreation options, and social and emotional well-being for youth and adults while instilling a “culture of bicycling” in Antioch, and the region.
• CLIMATE CHANGE: Improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by inspiring community members to replace vehicle trips to/from schools and other community destinations with bicycling or walking.
• EQUITY: Ensure equitable, safe, and no-cost access to the facility for all members of the public, including youth and adults of all ages and abilities.

All Inclusive Parks

The council will also be provided a presentation on All Inclusive Parks, expanding on the All Abilities Playground at Prewett Family Park. They will then discuss and provide direction to staff on a park design policy. All Inclusive Parks presentation

The regular council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. See the complete agenda.

Public Comments

Members of the public wishing to provide public comment may do so by 5:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting in the following ways (#2 pertains to the Zoom Webinar):

1. Fill out an online speaker card located at: https://www.antiochca.gov/speaker_card.
2. Provide oral public comments during the meeting by clicking the following link to register by 5:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting, to access the meeting via Zoom Webinar: https://www.antiochca.gov/speakers – You will be asked to enter an email address and a name. Your email address will not be disclosed to the public. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to the meeting. – When the Mayor announces public comments, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom. For instructions on using the “raise hand” feature in Zoom, visit: https://www.antiochca.gov/raise_hand. Please ensure your Zoom client is updated so staff can enable your microphone when it is your turn to speak.
3. Email comments to cityclerk@ci.antioch.ca.us by 5:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting. The comment will be read into the record at the meeting (350 words maximum, up to 3 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor). IMPORTANT: Identify the agenda item in the subject line of your email if the comment is for Announcement of Community Events, General Comment, or a specific Agenda Item number. All emails received by 5:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting will be entered into the record for the meeting.

 

 

Participants and spectators “subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Several license plates were obtained…as…vehicles fled the scene…will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and…towed for 30 days.”

“We cannot tolerate this in our community. This is unsafe and is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.” – Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica

By Antioch Police Department

Posted May 23, 2021 – As many of you have seen by now through social media or other news media outlets, there was a large-scale side show in East Contra Costa County that touched the cities of Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, and Brentwood for several hours last night (May 22). While we were able to head off several of the participants before anything could get started, eventually the crowd was able to overtake the intersection of Auto Center Drive and W. 10th Street with several hundred vehicles and spectators. Mutual aid was requested due to the large numbers involved, and eventually officers from the Pittsburg Police, Brentwood Police and Sheriff’s Office responded and we were able to disperse the crowd. Over the course of the next several hours, other smaller side shows popped up in Antioch and surrounding cities until the early morning hours.

These events have become more prevalent in recent months in our city and present many problems aside from the noise and traffic violations. They not only put the participants at risk of death or injury, but also the public should they get caught amid one of these intersections that have been taken over. These events also create traffic issues for police and medical responses to true emergency calls as well, and the Antioch Police Department has taken a zero-tolerance response to such activity.

During last night’s events alone, 20 citations were issued, and 21 vehicles were towed and stored for 30 days for those in attendance who were able to be stopped. So, everyone is aware, participating in these events, including being a spectator or helping block intersections so these events may continue is subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Additionally, whether you are actively participating or spectating, your vehicle will be towed and stored at your expense for 30 days. These costs will run into the thousands of dollars and may also lead to a driver’s license suspension.

For those of you that believe you got out of town last night before being stopped by the police, be aware that this may be true for some, but not all of you. Several license plates were obtained last night as dozens of vehicles fled the scene. These vehicles will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and those vehicles will also be towed for 30 days.

To summarize the events from last night, these events will not be tolerated in the City of Antioch, and all participants and spectators will be met with all enforcement action allowed under the California Vehicle Code. Thank you to all the agencies that responded to our mutual aid request and helped us in our efforts to keep Antioch safe. It is greatly appreciated.

Councilman Comments, Posts Photos of Damage

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica was the only Antioch council member to post anything about the sideshows, one of which occurred in District one, on his official Facebook page. On Sunday, he wrote, “I went out today and visited some of the locations from the recent side shows. I very BIG thank you to the APD Sgt. and crew that took a zero tolerance stance on this, having more than 20 cars towed on 30 day impounds, more than 20 citations and warrants coming for more cars also to be impounded for 30 days. We cannot tolerate this in our community. This is unsafe and is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed. GREAT JOB APD! Also thank you to the allied agencies that came into our community to help.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.