Joint effort with U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, FBI and Homeland Security, part of National Public Safety Partnership

Mayor, interim police chief hold press conference to make announcement

By Darryl Saffold, Public Information Officer, Antioch Police Department

Beginning Monday, July 11, 2022, the Antioch Police Department hosted the U.S. Marshals Service-Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force for a week-long warrant sweep to help reduce the rise in violence in the City of Antioch and surrounding areas.

Through additional partnerships with Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Contra Costa County Probation, the task force was able to make twenty-three felony arrests, seize four firearms, and confiscate illegal narcotics from Monday through Thursday, July 11-14, 2022, in Antioch, Concord, Oakland, San Francisco, Tracy and Stockton.

This “Violent Crime Reduction Operation” was an effort that identified wanted persons who had active felony warrants for violent crimes, such as homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, robbery, and sexual assault.

The Antioch Police Department was selected in October 2021 to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that increases collaboration with local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and community partners to enhance public safety.  (See related article)

The DOJ-law enforcement community, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA, DHS, and FBI assisted by taking on the challenge alongside the Antioch Police Department to stem the rise in violent crime.

Mayor Lamar Thorpe called a press conference for Monday morning, July 18 to announce the arrests with Interim Police Chief Steve Ford.

Following are notable arrests from the operation:

Antioch, California – Other Male Adult (OMA) Suspect – On Monday, July 11, 2022, a OMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Robbery and Assault with a Firearm. The OMA was wanted for an armed robbery of a convenience store where he fired one round.

Stockton, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect- On Monday, July 11, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Assault with a Firearm. The BMA shot multiple rounds at his girlfriend striking an occupied dwelling.

Antioch, California – Jeremiah COWART – On Monday, July 11, 2022, COWART was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for a home invasion while armed with a firearm. COWART committed this crime with three other suspects. All suspects are now in-custody. During the home invasion the suspects held an elderly couple at gunpoint as they ransacked the home.

Antioch, California – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BFA was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant out of Las Vegas. A Marshal’s team got information she was evading police contact hiding at a residence in Antioch. The BFA has a long criminal history for Attempted Homicide, Robbery, Burglary, and Assault.

Antioch, California – Daniel O’Neal – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, O’Neal was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Parole Violation w/ underlying charges of Assault with a Firearm.

Antioch, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Attempted Homicide and Kidnapping. Also, White Male Adult accomplice was identified as taking part in the assault and also taken into custody.

Tracy, California –Black Male Juvenile (BMJ) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BMJ was arrested on his outstanding felony warrants for a shooting Homicide and Robbery.

Concord, California- White Female Adult (WFA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a WFA was arrested on multiple felony warrants for various crimes throughout the East Bay Area.

Antioch, California –Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Aggravated Assault with Firearm. A Firearm was recovered at location.

Antioch, California – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect– On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BFA was arrested on her outstanding felony warrant for Aggravated Assault with Firearm. The BMA and BFA are siblings who were both sought by Antioch PD for a shooting that occurred outside a Hospital Emergency Room.

Antioch, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect– On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was arrested for an on-view firearms violation involving the investigation above.

Stockton, California – Black Male Juvenile (BMJ) Suspect – On Wednesday July 13, 2022, a BMJ was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for multiple shootings including a shooting Homicide.

Oakland, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was approached by TF members at a warrant location. As the BMA was contacted by law enforcement, he was observed retrieving a concealed handgun from his waistband and discarding it. Law enforcement officers detained him and safely retrieved the firearm.

San Francisco, CA – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect -On Thursday, July 14, 2022, a BFA was arrested at San Francisco Airport (SFO) while attempting to travel International. The BFA was wanted for a Homicide out of Oakland PD. The BFA has ties to Antioch.

Oakland, CA – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Thursday, July 14, 2022, a BMA was arrested in Oakland for a warrant for Assault with a deadly weapon and a Parole Violation. Two firearms were located with the suspect (a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle).

Special thanks to all of the supporting agencies as well as our community members.

Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Newton, Baugh also win; Arriaga disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after his race; races continue tonight!

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…July 15…Tommy Velasquez III won the Pro Dwarf Car 20 lap Main Event Friday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the opening night of the WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals, hosted by the local Delta Dwarf Car Association. Velasquez is part is part of the Southern California Dwarf Car Association, which was recently reformed by his family. The Top 10 finishers in each of the Dwarf Car categories automatically qualified for Saturday’s Fast Dashes to set the first five rows of Saturday’s Main Events.

Velasquez charged into the early lead ahead of Chance Russell and Chris Kress. However, a low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 3 gained Adam Teves second from Russell. Michael Tobiason gained third on the sixth lap and started pressuring Teves for second. Tobiason made that pass on Lap 11. By the 16th circuit, Tobiason was challenging Velasquez for the lead, and a yellow flag waved for Anthony Pope in Turn 3 on Lap 18. Velasquez led Tobiason and Danny Wagner on the restart, and they finished in that order with Adam Teves and Michael “Spanky” Grenert rounding out the Top 5.

2019 Wingless Spec Sprint champion Shannon Newton kept his championship hopes alive with the 20 lap Main Event win. Official decisions elevated him from a second-place finish. For most of the race, recent Sonny Calkins Memorial winner Shawn Arriaga was leading in the Dave Johnson owned car.

Arriaga took the early lead ahead of Newton, and a yellow flag waved on Lap 6 for incoming point leader Zack Neeley, who retired at that point. Arriaga led Newton and Nick Larsen on the restart. Arriaga held a straightaway advantage over Newton by Lap 10, but he hit heavy traffic by Lap 14 as Larsen slipped past Newton for second. Larsen caught Arriaga quickly and contact from Larsen sent Arriaga spinning in Turn 2. Arriaga kept going with no yellow flag as Newton was second and Arriaga recovered in third. Larsen brought it home to the checkered flag but was penalized two positions for the contact with Arriaga that gained him the lead. This put Shannon Newton into the winner’s circle. Arriaga was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after the race, elevating MacKenzie Newton to a career best second ahead of Larsen, Roy Fisher and James East.

Veteran division point leader Mike Reeder won their time-limit shortened 17 lap Main Event. Reeder took the early lead ahead of Jack Haverty and Eric Weisler. Haverty made a Turn 2 pass to claim the lead on Lap 2, but a bit of contact between Haverty and Reeder as they were working Lap 3 saw Haverty hit the Turn 4 wall for a yellow flag. Haverty was out, and Reeder led Weisler and Brian Quilty on the restart. They ran that way through the 10th lap, when Scotty Preast took third from Quilty. Reeder had a straightaway advantage wiped out by a yellow flag on Lap 12. Reeder led Weisler and Quilty on the ensuing restart. A yellow flag waved on Lap 15, and the drivers were warned that the next yellow flag would end the race. Reeder led Weisler on the restart. Quilty spun from his Top 5 position in Turn 4, and the yellow and checkered flags flew on Lap 17. Reeder got the win ahead of Weisler, Tony Margott, Stacy Woods and Ronnie Williams.

Joey Bohard won the 20 lap Sportsman Dwarf Car Main Event. Brenden Shrum started on the front row and took the early lead ahead of Kylee Johnson. Bohard slipped past Johnson for second on Lap 8 before a yellow flag waved for a Shrum spin. On the restart, Bohard moved into the lead with Sportsman point leader Dan Varner settling into second. Kinser Endicott made a big move around Johnson for third on Lap 11 and took second from Varner on the 16th lap. Endicott went low in Turn 4 on Lap 19 to briefly grab the lead, but Bohard came back strong with an inside move entering Turn 3 for the final time. Bohard made that pass and brought it home to victory ahead of Endicott, Varner, Johnson and Cody Shrum.

Jared Baugh won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. It was his first career win. Top rookie Taylor DeCarlo charged into the early lead ahead of James Graessle. By the fourth lap, DeCarlo had nearly a straightaway advantage as Baugh was running in third. Baugh slipped past Graessle for second on Lap 6, and a yellow flag waved for Tyler Graves in Turn 4 on Lap 11. A bit of contact exiting Turn 4 on Lap 12 gained Baugh the lead with Kevin Brown moving into third, but a yellow flag waved. DeCarlo was restored to the lead, but Baugh and Brown again moved into first and second on the next restart. They finished in that order and point leader Misty Welborn made a late charge into the third with Grayson Baca settling for fourth, followed by Graessle.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings at the track at www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results

WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Night 1

Pro Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Chance Russell, Tommy Velasquez III, David Teves, Adam Teves. Main Event (20 laps) – Tommy Velasquez III, Micheeael Tobiason, Danny Wagner, Adam Teves, Michael “Spanky” Grenert, David Teves, Devan Kammeramann, Dylan Shrum, Ridge Abbott, Chuck Eaton.

Veteran Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Jack Haverty, Mike Reeder, Brian Quilty. Main Event (20 laps) – Mike Reeder, Eric Weisler, Scotty Preast, Tony Margott, Stacy Woods, Ronnie Williams, Steve Walker, Glenn Sciarani, Mark Biscardi, David Rosa.

Sportsman Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Brenden Shrum, Kylee Johnson. Main Event (20 laps) – Joey Bohard, Kinser Endicott, Dan Varner, Kylee Johnson, Cody Shrum, Teagan Fischer, Brenden Shrum, Isaak Geil, Ian Velasquez, Daniel Peters.

Wingless Spec Sprints

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Nick Larsen, Shawn Arriaga. Main Event (20 laps) – Shannon Newton, MacKenzie Newton, Nick Larsen, Roy Fisher, James East, Rick Panfili, Steve Maionchi, Zack Neeley, Jeff Scotto, Shawn Arriaga DQ.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Kevin Brown, Misty Welborn, Grayson Baca. Main Event (20 laps) – Jared Baugh, Kevin Brown, Misty Welborn, Grayson Baca, James Graessle, Michaela Taylor, Danny Aves, Colten Haney, Jake Archibald, Jess Paladino.

Won’t be prosecuted because the cases are “compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged” – Ted Asregadoo, CCDA PIO

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has dismissed 40 cases from prosecution as part of the investigation into crimes of moral turpitude by Antioch and Pittsburg Police Officers announced in March. As previously reported, several officers were placed on paid administrative leave due to the accusations against them. (See related articles here, here and here)

Asked for details about the 40 cases, CCDA Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo said he could not provide it as “it’s still an active investigation of the Pittsburg and Antioch officers.”

“Out of a group of the cases, there are 40 cases that can go forward in the investigative process. Approximately 40 of those cases were dismissed,” he continued.

Asked how cases were from which agency Asregadoo responded, “I can’t talk about that.”

“The DA’s office is involved in ongoing evaluations of the cases to determine if the cases are compromised due to the criminal wrongdoing and misconduct,” he stated. “Those 40 have been compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged so they were dismissed.”

“The Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments are cooperating with us and are assisting,” Asregadoo shared. “It’s a complex endeavor and is wide ranging. The scope of it is not a single incident.”

Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell offered the following statement about the matter:

“There are multiple officers who are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation involving a range of offenses which constitute crimes of moral turpitude. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is actively engaged in evaluating these cases to determine whether the charged case is compromised or whether the case can proceed. Community safety remains paramount, and the District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in preserving as many cases as possible.”

An estimated three or five Antioch Police Officers are under investigation for the allegations against them.

Antioch Police still won’t say how many Antioch officers are under investigation, APD Public Information Officer Darryl Safford said. But he did confirm they are still on paid administrative leave. Asked if the DA’s office shared how many of the 40 cases were from Antioch Saffold said, “they have not informed us.”

In addition, an effort to reach new Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese for details from his department was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Wilson, Torres-Walker, Rocha up for re-election, Motts, Ogorchock plan to challenge incumbent councilwomen; Householder not running for re-election to school board

By Allen D. Payton

Who wants to run for and serve in public office in Antioch?

Filing for candidates in the November 8 election for two seats on the city council as well as two seats on the school board opens on Monday, July 18. That’s the first day candidates can obtain nomination papers to complete by gathering required signatures from registered voters within the council district or trustee area they’re running to represent. A filing fee is required but that can be reduced by gathering what are known as in-lieu of signatures.

Filing closes on August 12 in races where the incumbent is running for re-election and is extended until August 17 for races with an open seat.

In the city races, Districts 1 and 4 Councilwomen Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson in are up for election in November, for four-year terms. So far, former Councilwoman Joy Motts has announced plans to run in District 1. Wilson and current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, after she was gerrymandered into District 4 during the redistricting process earlier this year, have announced plans to run in that district.

For the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha is expected to seek re-election and there is no incumbent in Area 3, which includes portions of Oakley. Both seats are up for election on November 8 for four-year terms. Trustee Ellie Householder, whose term ends this year, moved into and when the new map was approved during redistricting in January, lived in Area 1 which is represented by Trustee Antonio Hernandez whose term runs through 2024. When reached for comment about her plans, Householder said, “I won’t be running for re-election for school board.”

The qualifications of a nominee and of an elective officer of the city or school board must be a citizen at least 18 years old, registered voter and resident of the council district or trustee area they want to represent.

Forms for declaring candidacy for city races are available at the Antioch City Clerk’s office inside City Hall located at 200 H Street and for school board are available at the Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters’ office located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 18, 2022 and shall be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 12, 2022 (except as noted above).

Male in his early 20’s; Coroner’s Office has not yet reached next of kin, so no ID has been released, possibly later Friday

Council recently increased speed limit to 45 MPH on roadway

By Antioch Police Department

On Thursday July 14th, 2022, at 10:23 AM, Antioch Police responded to a report of a car fire near James Donlon Blvd. and Contra Loma Blvd. As officers arrived, it was determined that a vehicle had collided into a tree, then into another vehicle traveling in the same direction. The collision caused one of the cars to catch fire. One of the drivers died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The other driver and a passenger were treated for minor injuries.

The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded and took over the investigation. It was determined though witness statements that both vehicles were traveling at a high rate of speed on James Donlon Blvd., prior to the crash. Following a traffic engineer’s study, the Antioch City Council recently voted to increase the speed limit on the roadway to 45 MPH.

The case is still in preliminary stages and pending further investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call (925) 779-6864.

We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this incident.

7/15/22 UPDATE: According to APD Public Information Officer Darryl Saffold, the driver was a male in his early 20’s. As of Friday morning, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office said they had not yet reached the next of kin and would not release the deceased’s identity but expects to have that information later today.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Gift cards to local businesses being mailed to winners of ballot prize drawing from those who voted

Following are the Best Businesses in Antioch in 2021 as voted by you, the readers of the Antioch Herald! A copy was published in the June 2022 issue and is available for download at 2021 Antioch People’s Choice Winners | Antioch Herald. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all those who voted. Remember to Shop Local. Shop Antioch!

Stubborn six-week-old peat fire in largely inaccessible areas of Bay Point and Pittsburg

By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa Fire Protection District

July 12, 2022 – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced details regarding a peat fire that has been burning since May 28 in the waterfront areas of Bay Point and Pittsburg.

• The original fire began the early afternoon of May 28 in a homeless encampment near Suisun and Solano Avenues in Bay Point that burned to approximately 200 acres. The homeless encampment was completely consumed by the fire. No injuries were reported.
• The May 28 fire occurred in a largely inaccessible area with no structures or inhabitants and created a lingering and stubborn fire that has burned in the marsh since that date. The fire burned into large amounts of peat in the area throughout the ensuing six weeks, consuming additional vegetation and intermittently producing noticeable smoke, depending on weather conditions, but still threatening no structures or lives.
• On Saturday, July 9, driven by wind, the peat fire flared up extending into adjacent grassy areas of Pittsburg, threatening overhead high-voltage PG&E transmission lines and nearby decommissioned industrial sites.
• In spite of high winds at the scene, an overwhelming response from Con Fire, aided by Cal Fire, resulted in the fire being contained before it could extend into neighboring homes.
• Con Fire requested mutual aid from Cal Fire for water-dropping helicopters. Due to the threat to PG&E infrastructure, this request was granted.
• Before it was contained, the fire consumed an additional 74 acres, bringing the total area consumed by the fires to approximately 500 acres. As of July 11, the Marsh Fire is contained and continues to smolder in inaccessible areas of the Bay Point and Pittsburg waterfront.
• Peat fires are notoriously stubborn, can be virtually impossible to extinguish, and are often left, for lack of alternatives, to burn themselves out.
• Today, the remaining peat fire is producing significant smoke but presenting little fire danger to the surrounding area. It is NOT threatening structures; no evacuations are anticipated, as a result. The Fire has consumed most of the fuel adjacent to the community, increasing the margin of safety that would otherwise present a fire risk.
• The property owner has been cooperative, hiring contractors to mow and disk hundreds of acres to eliminate hazardous fuels.
• PG&E also provided resources to support the operation in the form of infrastructure protection teams and a large water-dropping helicopter.
• We share resident concerns regarding the smoke and are aggressively pursuing additional remedies for the situation with city and county officials, other jurisdictions, the property owner, and multiple regulatory agencies, in an attempt to mitigate the situation as soon as possible.
• Con Fire continues to monitor the fire scene and is prepared to immediately address any flare ups that may occur.
• We have coordinated with Contra Costa Health Services to monitor air quality in the fire area and, as a result, CCHS issued a health advisory late on July 11.
• For information on protecting yourself and your family from smoke, please visit cchealth.org/wildfire-smoke.

Has his own Facebook page!

By Erin Pina, Furry Friends Pet Relief

This little boy is “Rico ‘Pocket Change’ Jones from the Yock”. We rescued him from the local shelter. The special thing about him is that he is about a 1 in 3,000, some say 250,000, but I have been playing it conservative. He is special because of his coloring. Many cat colors are sex linked traits. Which means that females carry certain colors and males tend to carry other colors.

Rico is a Torbie which is a cross between a Tabby and a Tortoiseshell – the coloring itself it not seen too often. They usually have tabby stripes with black, brown and red tortoiseshell markings. The tortoiseshell color is a female color, but not for our little boy.

He is about 10 weeks old and has his own Facebook page.  Rico talks about how special he is and all kinds of fun facts that go along with it, such as, you are just as likely to be drafted into the NBA as you are to find a cat like him. If you ever get to the PGA tour and hit a Hole in One, you have about the same odds as finding one like him.

Torbies are thought to bring good luck, wealth, and protect you from bad storms and even ghosts.

This amazing little guy will be available for adoption through our organization in about a week.

Anyone interested in adopting can put in an application on our website at www.furryfriendsfoodre.wix.com/fffr.

Furry Friends Pet Relief Program is a 501c3 non-profit. Tax ID: 47-2163583 and is located at 708 W. Second Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

“Helping those in need with their Furry Friends, keeping pets in their homes and out of the shelters.”