Gas station robbery suspect Bobby Nathaniel Roan III was arrested Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13, 2022. Photo: APD

Arrested four times in the past two weeks, at least seven times since Sept. 7

By Darryl Saffold, PIO, Antioch Police Department

Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13, 2022, at 3:05 p.m. Antioch officers were sent to the Safeway Fuel Station off Deer Valley Road for a report of a robbery that had just occurred. Based on witness statements, the suspect assaulted an employee and brandished a knife before stealing merchandise from behind the counter.

Officers arrived and detained the suspect, Bobby Nathaniel Roane III, age 29 of in the adjacent shopping center within minutes based on the description given by witnesses. During the investigation, officers located the stolen merchandise on the suspect and arrested him for the robbery. The suspect was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility for his crimes.

We remain dedicated to our citizens and stay grateful for your daily assistance when seeking information about criminal behavior.

According to VineLink.com with information provided by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department and LocalCrimeNews.com, Roane was arrested on Nov. 4 for trespassing on closed lands and as of Nov. 5 he was released from custody. He was arrested again on Nov. 6, but the charges were dropped and as of Nov. 9 he had been released, again. Then, on Nov. 10 Roane was arrested and released, again before being arrested, yesterday. As of Sunday night, he was still in custody.

Roane had been arrested three other times this fall including by San Pablo Police on Sept. 7 for being intoxicated in public; by Antioch Police on Oct. 11 for trespassing while driving on private property and resisting arrest; by Martinez Police on Oct. 22 again for being intoxicated in public; then, again by Martinez Police on Oct. 28 for trespassing on posted land.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Joined by past Antioch Veterans of the Year and a representative from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office, Autrey James (center) and Pat Jeremy (right) were honored as 2022-23 Antioch Veterans of Year during the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Photos by Allen D. Payton

Veterans of the Year announced

By Allen D. Payton

On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, Antioch veterans were honored during a ceremony in which the Veterans of the Year were named and the 25th anniversary of the Veterans Memorial monument was celebrated, followed by the parade down W. Second Street. The ceremony also featured speeches by U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Autrey James, the past Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Legion, Department of California, and student speakers, Bryce West of Belshaw Elementary and Oghenerun’or Pinnock of Deer Valley High.

Organized by the Delta Veterans Group and led by J.R. Wilson and Velma Wilson, the ceremony began with an opening prayer by Father Robert Rien of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, then the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard provided the Presentation of the Colors and the Raising of the American Flag in the center of the Veterans Memorial at the foot of L Street. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Matthew Wilson followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Claryssa Wilson.

The combined marching bands from Antioch High and Deer Valley High Schools performed the anthems of each branch of the U.S. military during the ceremony.

Veterans of the Year

Pat Jeremy was then honored as the 2022-23 Veteran of the Year for his work with local efforts by Antioch’s 2021 Veteran of the Year Bill Ridle who was joined by other past Antioch Veterans of the Year. He was presented with a plaque, Certificate of Recognition from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and a special jacket with his name and honor embroidered.

James was also honored as the 2022-23 Lifetime Veteran of the Year James and was also presented with a plaque, Certificate from DeSaulnier and a special jacket embroidered with his name and honor.

Oakview Memorial Park was honored as the Presidential Veteran Supporter. Managing Partner Jarrod Bolliger was joined by J.R. Wilson and a representative of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office.

New awards were presented this year, including the Presidential Veteran Supporter for a business to Oakview Memorial Park represented by Managing Partner Jarrod Bolliger.

Debbie Jeremy and her son Tim were honored as Veteran Volunteers and joined by J.R. Wilson and a representative of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office.

The Veteran Volunteer Supporters awards were presented to Debbie Jeremy, her son Tim Jeremy, and Pat Dorn and his son, Gavin for their work with veterans including the bi-annual Stand Down on the Delta.

Pat Dorn and his son, Gavin were also honored as Veteran Volunteers and joined by J.R. Wilson and a representative of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office.

Veterans Memorial 25th Anniversary

During the ceremony, Janice Silva-Moore, owner of Silva’s Family Memorials and her brother and Jack da Silva were recognized as the Antioch Veterans Memorial’s 25th Anniversary monument was celebrated. Approved by the city council in 1996, it was created by the company under the then-ownership of their father John Silva, affectionately known as “Chiseler” and erected later that year. It honors all five branches of the U.S. military.

Joined by members of the city council and Delta Veterans Group, Janice Silva-Moore (second from left) and her brother Jack da Silva were recognized during the brief celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Antioch Veterans Memorial.

According to the company, the senior Silva, with more than 20 years of experience, purchased the Vallejo Monument Company in 1974 and the Antioch Memorials property in 1975. A second-generation memorialist, John, merged the two to become Silva’s Memorials. He was a veteran, as well, having served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer, rising to the rank of corporal while stationed in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica (left) with the Silvas at the Antioch Veterans Memorial monument.

In 1995, a national competition was announced seeking proposals for a new Antioch Veterans Memorial. A call for submissions was issued, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6435 members and the City of Antioch. Several design criteria were incorporated to meet the needs determined by the VFW and Design Committee. Those were established to ensure a patriotic aesthetic, ongoing durability and a respectful presence.

The monument sits at the foot of L Street between the entrances of the Antioch Marina and Boat Launch parking lots

Other Presentations

That was followed by a presentation by Rich Hiebert about his great uncle, entitled “Killed in Action the Story of Lloyd Hiebert” who died in the Philippines during World War II on July 30, 1945.

Antioch Chamber executive, Daniel Sohn, spoke briefly as the California Board Member of the U.S. Selective Service System, about 18-year-old males being required to register for the military.

Sponsors

The day’s events were sponsored by VFW Post 6435, American Legion Post 161, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 154, Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club, Delta Veterans Group, Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill, Tri Delta Transit and the City of Antioch.

Parade & Bell Ringing

The ceremony was followed by the parade in historic downtown Rivertown beginning at 11:00 a.m. win honor of the end of World War I with the signing of the armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The parade was briefly stopped for the ringing of the bell at El Campanil Theatre which sounded 11 times.

The drugs and stolen gun confiscated from the suspects on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Photo by APD.

“tense and chaotic incident”

Older suspect has history of arrests dating to 2013 including kidnapping, rape; younger is former Antioch High football player

By Antioch Police Department

On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 8, 2022, Antioch Police officers were patrolling the Sycamore Square shopping center when a 30-year-old male was contacted. As officers continued their investigation, it was discovered that the male was armed, and a brief struggle ensued during which time the loaded firearm was found concealed on his person.

During this tense and chaotic incident, a second male subject attempted to interfere in the arrest and also found himself in police custody. The firearm depicted in the photograph was discovered to be previously reported as stolen to Antioch PD as well from a separate incident.

We are happy to report no one was hurt during this scary encounter, and the male arrested will be spending some time in the county jail. Harrison was arrested for burglary and grand theft.

According to Antioch Police PIO Darryl Saffold the suspects are Angelito Harrison, age 30 and Mason Lenard, age 24 from Antioch.

According to localcrimenews.com Harrison has a history of arrests dating back to 2013, first in Oakland by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies the for 207(A) – kidnapping 211 – robbery, 236 – false imprisonment by violence, 261(A)(2) – forcible rape, 266I(A)(2) – pandering by encouraging, 289(A) – rape by foreign object and 496(A) – receiving or concealing stolen property. He was arrested, again in 2021 by Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputies for 4573.8 – possession of drugs or alcohol while in prison or jail.

Harrison was also arrested in August of this year by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies for 211 – robbery, 243(D) – battery with serious bodily injury, 3056 – felony parole violation, 496(A) – receiving or concealing stolen property and 245(A)(4) – assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily harm.

According to MaxPreps, Lenard is a 2017 graduate of Antioch High School where he played football for the JV team during the 2014-15 season. According to localcrimenews.com he was previously arrested in 2017 twice by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies, first in August for 148(A)(1) – resisting / obstructing / delaying a peace officer, 496D(A) – receiving stolen property – motor vehicle and 594(B)(1) – vandalism of $5,000 or more. He was arrested, again that October on an outstanding warrant.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

(L-R, T-B) Kristin Connelly leads Vicki Gordon for County Clerk and Ken Carlson is ahead of Debora Allen for District 4 County Supervisor. Sources: Official campaign photos.

Butler, Maxwell win, Lewis leading in county school board races

170,000 ballots to be counted as of Wed., more ballots arriving through Tues., Nov. 15 could affect results

By Allen D. Payton

As of the latest update on the Contra Costa County Elections Division website on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 12:03 a.m., with all precincts reporting, Acalanes School Board Trustee Kristin Connelly appears to be winning the race for County Clerk-Recorder and Pleasant Hill City Councilman Ken Carlson is ahead in the race for District 4 County Supervisor. The district includes Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and portions of Walnut Creek.

County Clerk-Recorder

With 100,938 votes or 53.55% of the vote Connelly has a commanding lead over former Contra Costa College Board Trustee Vicki Gordon who had 87,567 votes or 46.45% of the vote. Carlson is leading BART Board Member Debora Allen by 4,122 votes. He had 26,110 votes or 54.17% to her 22,088 votes or 42.83% of the vote.

According to county elections personnel, after receiving Wednesday’s mail there were an estimated 170,000 unprocessed ballots. The latest figures on the website don’t include all the vote-by-mail ballots submitted on Election Day including at the polls.

As a result, Connelly is not declaring victory, just yet. When reached for comment Thursday afternoon she responded, “I am very excited about how the results are shaping up in my race and look forward to the timely count continuing.”

Carlson Declares Victory in District 4 Supervisor’s Race

In a post on his campaign Facebook page on Wednesday Carlson was more confident in the results declaring victory. He wrote, “It has been a long, hard fought campaign, but WE GOT IT DONE, and I am proud to claim #VICTORY! I am humbled to have had your support, and I am grateful to now have the opportunity to serve all of District 4 as your next Supervisor! Countless groups and individuals made this win possible. I share the credit for this victory with a great many folks in our community. I want to say thank you to my opponent, Debora Allen for helping keep this campaign about the issues that matter to each and every one of us. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. THANK YOU.”

On Wednesday, Allen conceded on her campaign Facebook page writing, “The results are in, and it is clear I fell short of the votes needed by 4100, to win the District 4 seat on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors. We came close, but as my dad used to say, close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and ballroom dancing.

To my family, friends, supporters, donors, and colleagues, I extend a big THANK YOU for your support, contributions, love and encouragement. I am forever grateful for your faith in me.

To the voters of Contra Costa, thank you for the 22K votes of support and the great conversations at your doors, in your businesses, and at public events over the last year. I learned a lot about the people of our county.

To the public employees’ and construction labor unions who provided $300K of funding to oppose me and support Carlson in this general election, congratulations, you won! You just bought yourselves a supervisor. Your nasty disinformation tactics are what continue to win elections for unions and keep you in control of our government.

To Contra Costa Supervisor-elect Ken Carlson for County Supervisor 2022, I wish you all the best as the next Contra Costa Supervisor in District 4. I hope you will find the courage to stand up to all that union money that elected you, especially when voting on their labor contracts, or on construction project labor agreements to shut out all local non-union construction businesses from the work in this county.

Until we run again!”

However, on Thursday Allen posted, “UPDATE 11/10/22: We should have better tallies of votes by 5pm today. Will update then.”

Assuming a fifth of the remaining 170,000 unprocessed ballots are for the District 4 race, Allen would need 62% of them or 21,123 votes of the estimated 34,000 ballots that were remaining to be counted in order to eke out a win.

County Board of Education

In the races for county Board of Education, incumbents Sarah Butler in Area 2 and Mike Maxwell in Area 4 have defeated their challengers by wide margins, and Annette Lewis in Area 5 is leading her closest challenger, Justin Brown by 2,556 votes or by 7.35% a margin that could prove insurmountable.

Butler had 24,621 votes or 50.69% of the vote defeating Lisa Disbrow with 13,450 votes or 27.69%, and Rupy Krishnan with 10,501 or 21.62% of the vote.

The race for Area 4 was closer as Maxwell had 19,127 votes or 43.44% of the vote defeating challengers Cheri Calgano with 13,672 votes or 31.05%, and Anaité Letona with 11,229 votes or 25.5% of the vote.

Finally, in the Area 5 race, Lewis had 15,250 votes or 45.83% to Brown’s 12,694 votes or 36.48% followed by challenger Derek Carson II with 6,582 votes or 19.69% of the vote.

Thursday afternoon Lewis shared, “Waiting to see what tonight’s numbers will show. This morning’s returns by district show roughly 22,000 more ballots turned in my area.”

Next Update Thursday Afternoon

The next update for results in all elections in the county is expected later today, Thursday, Nov. 10 before 5:00 p.m.

Please check this website later for that update.

Ballots lined up to be counted in the County Elections office on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Herald file photo

Ballots still arriving and can through the mail until next Tuesday

Next results update expected later today

By Allen D. Payton

According to county Elections Division personnel, after receiving Wednesday’s mail there were 170,000 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county. They are also receiving ballots dropped off in other counties and have seven days from the election to receive ballots postmarked by Nov. 8, which is through next Tuesday, Nov. 15

The latest figures on the Elections Division website as of 12:03 a.m. Wednesday morning, Nov. 9 show 229,444 ballots had been cast and counted by then.  They don’t include all the vote-by-mail ballots submitted on Election Day including those dropped off at polling places, according to Elections Division staff.

The remaining total is nearly an additional 57% of ballots that have were counted as of Election Night and a total of 36% of total ballots cast in the election, leaving many close races in the county left to be decided.

The next update for results in all elections in the county is expected later today, Thursday, Nov. 10 before 5:00 p.m.

Joy Motts, Monica Wilson and Mary Rocha in their official campaign photos currently lead in their respective races.

Gibson-Gray, Ogorchock each in close second

By Allen D. Payton

The election results for both Antioch City Council Districts 1 and 4 show tight races with former Councilwoman Joy Motts and incumbent Councilwoman Monica Wilson ahead of their challengers but not by much. In the Area 5 Antioch School Board Area 5 race, incumbent Trustee Mary Rocha is beating newcomer Dominique King by a larger margin.

Council District 1

As of the latest results posted on the Contra Costa Elections Division website Wednesday morning at 12:03 a.m., Motts was still in first place as she’s been since initial returns at 8:35 p.m. last night. Now, she leads former school board Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray by just 37 votes and incumbent Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker is trailing by only 117 votes.

Motts had 914 votes or 35.32% to Gibson-Gray’s 877 or 33.89% followed by Torres-Walker with 797 votes or 30.8% of the vote.

When asked her thoughts Tuesday night, Motts simply replied, “It’s too early.”

Gibson-Gray offered her thoughts responding to a request for comment with, “The race is too close to call. However, with that said, the voters in District 1 clearly saw the need for change.”

Council District 4

Wilson is besting fellow and current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock by a wider but still narrow margin of 161 votes. Newcomer Shawn Pickett placed third upsetting second-time candidate Sandra White, who was backed by Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica, placed fourth. A surprised and disappointed White said there wouldn’t be a third campaign.

Wilson has 1,376 votes or 34.71%, to Ogorchock’s 1,215 votes or 30.65% of the vote, followed by Pickett with 703 votes or 17.73% and White with 670 votes or 16.9%.

Reached for comment, Ogorchock said, “It’s not final. I think I have an opportunity to overcome her. Looking at the totality of the votes, it goes to show the support for her has declined since 2020 when she won over 50%. So, we’ll just have to wait and see once the election is certified.”

School Board Area 5

Long-time local elected official Rocha appears to be headed for re-election with 1,325 votes or 57.33% to 986 and 42.67% of the vote for first-time candidate King.

When asked her thoughts on the race Rocha responded Wednesday morning, “They say I won, but I am still on edge with all the ballots that came in the day of the election. I think we are safe and able to balance the board this next year.”

According to the California Secretary of State’s website, “Election results will change throughout the canvass period as vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots (including conditional voter registration provisional ballots), and other ballots are tallied.” So, the lead could switch back.

The county elections office has until Dec. 8 to certify the election.

Please check back here and on our Facebook page for additional election updates in these races.

The Antioch City Council on a 3-2 vote adopted the gerrymandered Draft Map A – Modified as their final choice during a special meeting on Friday, March 11, 2022, moving District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock into District 4. Source: City of Antioch

Can’t move Ogorchock from District 4 back into District 3

By Allen D. Payton

The council majority gerrymandered the Antioch City Council districts, earlier this year, and moved District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock into District 4. To clear up any confusion and quell false rumors that a new council majority can redraw the district lines and move her back into District 3, following is the information I’ve been able to obtain on the subject:

According to redistricting consultant Karin Mac Donald of Q2 Data and Research, who is also the Director of California’s Statewide Database & Election Administration Research Center at U.C. Berkeley, and consultant for both the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission and the City of Antioch’s redistricting process, California prohibits redrawing district lines mid-decade, with few exceptions. Those includes the city increasing in population by at least 25%.

According to a presentation by the Nielsen Merksamer law firm and National Demographics Corporation, as of 2021 mid-decade redistricting is never allowed, “unless in conjunction with judicial proceedings, or jurisdictional boundary changes, and then with qualifications.”

So, since the city’s population is not going to increase by 25% and unless someone sues the city over the gerrymandered redistricting maps created by the current council majority, and a judge rejects the current map and requires the council to redraw the district boundaries, a new council majority cannot redraw them before the next Census in 2030.

Questions were sent via email to Ariana Marmolejo and David Vance of Common Cause asking if the new council can redraw the district lines. Marmolejo referred this reporter to Nick Heidorn of Heidorn Consulting who helped draft the FAIR MAPS Act on the municipal redistricting process, which became state law in 2019.

Emails were sent Sunday evening to both Heidorn and Sean Welch of the Nielsen Merksamer law firm asking what the jurisdictional changes and qualifications are.

UPDATE: Heidorn responded by sharing the two jurisdictional changes, which are an increase in the city’s territory and population, or if the size of the council is increased. But that would require Antioch convert to a charter city from the current general law city form of government.

“The relevant code sections are below. Not in these sections, but redistricting would also be required if the size of the council were increased.

Elections Code 21603:  https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&sectionNum=21603.

(a) If the boundaries of a city expand by the addition of new territory, including through annexation of unincorporated territory or consolidation with another city, the council shall add that new territory to the nearest existing council district without changing the boundaries of other council district boundaries.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the council may adopt new boundaries for each council district under the circumstances described in subdivision (a) if both of the following conditions are met:

(1) There are more than four years until the council is next required to redistrict pursuant to Section 21601.

(2) The population of the new territory being annexed or consolidated is greater than 25 percent of the city’s population, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census.

Elections Code 21605: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&sectionNum=21605.

(a) After redistricting or districting pursuant to Section 21601 or 21603, a council shall not adopt new council district boundaries until after the next federal decennial census, except under the following circumstances:

(1) A court orders the council to redistrict.

(2) The council is settling a legal claim that its council district boundaries violate the United States Constitution, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), or this article.

(3) The boundaries of the city change by the addition of territory pursuant to Section 21603 or by the subtraction of territory.

(b) This section does not prohibit a council from adopting council districts between federal decennial censuses if the council is adopting council districts for the first time, including when a city adopts council districts for the purpose of transitioning from electing its council members in at-large elections to elections by districts or from districts.”

Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.