As voted by you in the 2022 People’s Choice Awards!

Bail set at $2,575,000; 17-year-old Antioch suspect died from his injuries; victim is 21-year-old Antioch man

By Brentwood Police Department

The surviving suspect in Friday night’s shooting that occurred in the 800 block of Marjoram Drive in Brentwood at approximately 7:45 P.M. was identified as Antonio Barajas, a 20-year-old Walnut Creek resident. Barajas (born 12/29/2002) was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility, Saturday morning (7/15/23) for the following:

1. Attempted Murder

2. Attempted Robbery

3. Conspiracy

4. Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon

5. False Imprisonment

6. Discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle

7. Carrying a loaded firearm in public

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, his bail was set at $2,575,000.

As previously reported, Barajas was not injured but the 21-year-old victim from Antioch was. The 17-year-old suspect from Antioch was transported to an area hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. (See related article)

Anyone with information related to this shooting is asked to contact Detective Inerbichler or Detective Goold at 925-809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous. 

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Attended Deer Valley High; brings sworn total to 99

By Antioch Police Department

Please welcome new Antioch Police Officer Jefferson Yega!

Officer Yega was born in Cameroon, which is a country in Western Africa. He moved to Antioch in 2012 and attended Deer Valley High School. Prior to joining Antioch PD, Officer Yega was a police officer in Oakdale, and has over six years of experience. In his spare time, Officer Yega enjoys weight training and going on long runs.

Fun Fact: Officer Yega plays the guitar and enjoys listening to guitar tunes. If you search YouTube, you may find a video or two of his musical talents!

If you would like to join Officer Yega in keeping Antioch safe, please visit https://joinantiochpd.com and click on the ‘contact us’ tab to get in touch with one of our recruiters. We offer a $30,000 signing bonus, along with an outstanding salary/benefits package for entry-level and lateral police officers.

July 29th in Brentwood

By Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls is partnering with California Women Lead to host a State of California Commissions Appointments Workshop on July 29.

The workshop will provide information on state and local commissions, the application process, and tips for strong applications. The Commission encourages participation of active community members seeking to learn about public governance, preparing for elected office, or aiming to make more significant community impact. Learn about the value of serving on boards and commissions and why there needs to be more women at the table.

Date and Location:

Saturday, July 29 – 11 am to 1:30 pm

Brentwood Library – 104 Oak Street, Brentwood

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/669132712957

The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls was formed in 1984 as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission provides information and advice to the Board relating to the health and welfare of women and girls in the County. The Commission strives to increase awareness of women’s and girls’ issues, celebrate achievements of local deserving women, champion opportunities for women and girls, and recommend legislative solutions at the city, county, state, and federal levels.

For further information about the California Commissions Appointments Workshop and the Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls, please email cccwomenscommission@gmail.com.

Pre-sale tickets are $10/per person and can be purchased online. At the door tickets are $12 per person. They’re available for purchase at www.antiochca.gov/water-park.

DeCarlo, Baugh, Davis, McLeister also winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…July 15…Jason Ryan, Jr. of Oakley won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his third win of the season as he regained the point lead from Kenny Shrader of Pacheco. Ryan also won the Main Event at Watsonville a night earlier.

With a front row start, rookie Billy Garner bolted into the lead when the green flag flew, pursued by his father Mark Garner, both of Antioch. Ryan settled into third very quickly and took up pursuit of Mark Garner. Ryan and the elder Garner went side by side for several laps before a low pass in Turn 4 of the 11th lap gained Ryan second as Garner pushed too high.

Billy Garner continued to lead the way until an inside pass in Turn 4 of the 14th lap gained Ryan the lead. Mark Garner passed his son for second before a yellow flag waved on Lap 18. Ryan maintained his cool on the restart and held off Mark Garner for the victory. Billy Garner impressed with a third-place finish, followed by Kelly Campanile of Oakley and Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.

Terry DeCarlo, Jr. of Martinez won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. A week earlier he led the first half for the race before being passed. This time around, he gained the lead when brother Nick DeCarlo had mechanical issues on the ninth lap.

Nick DeCarlo of Martinez took the early lead over Terry DeCarlo Jr and Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista. They ran that way until Nick DeCarlo fell off the pace as they went down the front straightaway on ninth lap, surrendering the lead to his brother. Kenneth Robles held second ahead of father, Jason Robles of Rio Vista.

However, Jason also fell out, leaving Kenneth Robles to battle Mitch Enos of Manteca and point leader Troy Foulger of Oakley in a good race for second. Foulger made a Turn 2 move around Enos on Lap 18 for third. As Terry DeCarlo Jr sped to a straightaway advantage in victory. Foulger tried to get underneath Kenneth Robles exiting Turn 4, but Robles held him off at the line for second. Enos ended up fourth ahead of Jason Robles.

Jared Baugh of Pittsburg won his second-straight Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. Point leader Grayson Baca of Brentwood set the pace on the opening up, but a yellow flag waved for debris on the track. Baca surrendered the lead to Baugh on the restart with James Thomson of Pittsburg settling into second on the third lap. Aidan Ponciano got past Baca for third on Lap 6 and led Baca around Thomson for second and third on the eighth lap.

They ran that way until Colten Haney of Brentwood spun in Turn 4, collecting Ken Johns of Antioch on Lap 16. Baugh continued to lead the way with Ponciano in close pursuit in second. However, Baugh would prevail at the checkered flag. Reigning champion Misty Welborn of Castro Valley made a late surge for third ahead of Baca as San Pablo’s Bobby Motts Jr beat James Graessle of Antioch back to the line in a drag race for fifth.

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won his fifth-straight 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event and took the point lead from Tom Brown of Santa Rosa in the process. Brown was a Main Event scratch.

Wyatt Lakin of Diamond Springs set the early pace ahead of Davis, but Davis went low in Turn 3 of the third lap to grab the lead. An inside move on the back stretch of the fifth lap gained Tony Quinones second. Davis set a rapid pace during the final 10 laps and won by a straightaway ahead of Quinones. Lakin ended up settling for third, followed Austin Struthers and Thomas Jensen, both of Placerville.

Don McLeister of Stockton won the 15 lap 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. This was his third win in as many races. He wasted little time charging into the lead from his pole position start as Ryan Holden of Lodi took up close pursuit. The first two positions never changed as McLeister picked up the win ahead of Holden. Devin McLeister of Stockton ran third until pulling off on Lap 8, giving the position to eventual third place finisher Swen Johnson of Marysville. Devin McLeuster settled for fourth ahead of Charlie Kight of Antioch.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with the Wingless Spec Sprints and Xtreme Late Models back in action along with the Delta Dwarf Cars, Super Stocks and Hardtops. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – July 15, 2023

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Jason Ryan Jr. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Billy Garner, Kelly Campanile, Trevor Clymens, Tom Fraser, Kenny Shrader, Raymond Lindeman, KC Carpenter, Al Johnson.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Grayson Baca, Jared Baugh, Aidan Ponciano. Main Event (20 laps)-Jared Baugh, Aidan Ponciano, Misty Welborn, Grayson Baca, Bobby Motts Jr, James Graessle, James Thomson, Colten Haney, Ken Johns, Gavin Griffiths.

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Mitch Enos, Kenneth Robles. Main Event (20 laps)-Terry DeCarlo Jr, Kenneth Robles, Troy Foulger, Mitch Enos, Jason Robles, Nick DeCarlo, Dan Gondeman, Scott Foster.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tony Quinones, Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tony Quinones, Wyatt Lakin, Austin Struthers, Thomas Jensen, Logan Lakin, David Carson, Tom Carse, Tom Brown DNS, Dana Gardner DNS.

600 Micro Sprints

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Don McCleister. Main Event (15 laps)-Don McLeister, Ryan Holden, Sven Johnson, Devin McLeister, Charlie Kight, Ryan Dotson DNS, Devin Baxter DNS.

As voted by you in the 2022 People’s Choice Awards!

Cancelling all afterhours events for now, will focus on family-oriented events

By Allen D. Payton

In posts on the Monica’s Riverview Instagram page over the weekend, Monica Barajas responded to the fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday morning, July 15, 2023 near her Antioch restaurant, Monica’s Riverview where a Club Night entitled “RnB and Chill” was held. She then shared more about the event, what was done to provide necessary on-site security, and discussions with police prior to the night of the event, as well as plans for the future at the newest hot spots in the Rivertown Dining District and Antioch as a whole.

The initial post on Saturday reads: “We are extremely saddened by the events that transpired after RnB & Chill and we want to send our love & support to anyone who was affected by the altercation that took place in the surrounding areas of our business last night. We are heartbroken with you and we wanted nothing more than to provide you a safe place for [sic] to enjoy yourself in your city. Although we cannot control the actions of others, we will do everything in our power to continue to provide a safe place for our community.

All afterhours events are cancelled for the foreseeable future, while our policies are being reviewed. We will be focusing on more family oriented events.”

On Sunday, Barajas commented and pinned it below the post. Her comment reads, “Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I’m from Pinole, grew up in the bay, and its sad to me that people have given up on the idea and the possibility that we can have these things. I have been working and serving the public all my life. I never opened this place thinking to myself, “I’m going to make this a club”. The vibe at Monica’s happened organically, and yes we expanded on it bc fr (because for real) people wanted it, folks want to stay and have fun in their own communities. I love my customers, they’re my family and it’s very personal to me, always has been. People who truly know me, know my heart. My heart is broken for the families of those who didn’t make it home. As tragic and horrific as this was I will not let it define me or Monica’s. We will continue to serve this community with love and respect. I just wish everyone could see the vision I have for this waterfront from Stockton all the way to Pt Richmond, thriving businesses and restaurants and people coming together having fun in their backyard. We deserve that, Antioch deserves it, and I won’t give up on it. 🙏🏻✌🏻❤️Monica”

Monica’s Riverview is located at One I Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For more information and their menu go to www.visitmonicas.com.