By Allen Payton

In a letter to the editor to the Herald, responding to my column about Lamar Thorpe needing to be removed from his position on the Antioch Economic Development Commission, over his leadership of the card room initiative, Thorpe claimed that one of the Antioch Council Members signed the petition to place the initiative on the ballot.

In response to an email question to each of the council members, only one of the Council Members, Monica Wilson admitted to signing the petition, through the spokesman for her campaign for Supervisor, Jon Colmenares.

In an email from Colmenares, he wrote “wanted to answer your question regarding petition signatures for cardroom initiative. Monica signed the petition, and along with the rest of the Council and Mayor, voted to put it on the June ballot.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock was first to respond to the email with a brief, “Not I.”

Mayor Wade Harper was the next, also denying he signed it.

“I did not sign the petition,” he said. “I would be interested to know if any Councilmember signed the petition.”

In a phone conversation with Council Member Tony Tiscareno, he said he did not sign it, either.

When reached for comment, Council Member Mary Rocha stated “I wouldn’t have signed that petition.”

Wilson did respond later to the questions of why she signed the petition and didn’t inform the public of that during the council meeting, and why she didn’t make a motion to adopt the initiative language as a an ordinance.

“I believe in organizing a community when it needs something,” she stated. “I do believe that the voters should have a voice and I do not believe in imposing ordinances on them. I believe in involving voters for what affects them directly. That for me includes laws that are as high profile as the cardroom initiative and why I signed it. I joined the Mayor and council because I felt that this was an important issue to be put forth to voters.”

One additional email was sent asking Wilson to clarify whether or not she supports the ballot initiative language and what she thinks a council member’s job is if the doesn’t believe in imposing ordinances on the public. Please check back later for her response.

The card room measure will be on the June 7th ballot. It requires a majority vote to pass and become law in the city. If it fails, the current city ordinance of allowing two card rooms in town, down from the previous five prior to 2013, will remain in force, with only one currently operating in Antioch.

 

One victim hits possible burglar with clothes iron to scare him off

As published in Acting City Manager/Public Works Director/City Engineer Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated February 11, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando. More serious or interesting crimes highlighted in bold.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 02/04/16 00:00:00 – 02/09/16 23:59:59*

Number of Calls for Service: 1,412

Number of Case Reports: 248

Number of Arrests: 73

Felony: 30

Misdemeanor: 42

Infraction: 1

Arrests with DUI charge: 4

*Due to holiday schedules, this report is for 6 days only.

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 2/10/16 at 3:36 am, at approximately 12:06 am, officers responded to Antioch Church Family located at 55 E 18th St on an alarm call. Officers discovered the church had been burglarized. A subscriber came out and boarded up the point of entry. At approximately 3:36 am, we responded back to the church on another alarm call. The previous point of entry was accessed again. During the search with the police K9, the K9 alerted to a closed and locked door. The door was forced open which caused minor damage. This time we located 43 year old Danny Jimenez inside the church. Jimenez was arrested without incident and booked into county jail. The original subscriber did not answer his phone and no other subscribers were available. The after hours board up company was called and arrived a short time later.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 11:05 pm, an officer contacted a subject inside a parked vehicle near 331 Sunset Dr. The subject was identified as 32 year old Rodney Tallent. A computer check revealed Tallent had two no bail warrants for his arrest. Tallent was arrested without incident and subsequently booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 10:25 pm, officers responded to Auto Center Dr and SR4 on a report of a traffic collision with CHP detaining one subject. Officers arrived and contacted 50 year old John Saavedra. Saavedra displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Saavedra was identified as the driver and subsequently arrested without incident. Saavedra was later booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 8:40 pm, 19 year old Jasmine Zazi entered the JC Penney store and selected nearly $500 worth of cosmetic items and exited the store without making any attempt to pay for them. As Zazi exited the store, she was confronted by the store loss prevention officer. As the loss prevention officer tried to detain and escort Zazi back into the store a struggle ensued and Zazi sprayed the loss prevention officer in the face with pepper spray. Another customer assisted the loss prevention officer and they were able to detain Zazi until officers arrived. Zazi was arrested and later booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 12:25 pm, 28 year old Brendon Dyer was stopped after the vehicle he was driving was seen doing donuts while in the funeral procession for our recent homicide. A warrant check revealed a felony warrant for narcotic sales and Dyer was taken into custody without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 12:02 pm, APD received several calls of subjects using and selling narcotics in the parking lot of the La Bonita Market at 1068 Sycamore Dr. Upon arrival, a witness pointed to Peppertree Way saying an adult male with a pony tail just left the parking lot carrying a large bag of suspected narcotics. An area check was conducted and 31 year old Francisco Gonzalez was contacted on Peppertree. He attempted to hide a large bag of marijuana but his attempts were unsuccessful. He was arrested and found to be in possession of over $400 in cash (mostly of small bills). During an interview, Francisco admitted to selling the marijuana in the parking lot prior to police arriving and that the marijuana located was his. His money was confiscated as evidence and he was sent to county jail. Francisco is also on probation.
• ·On 2/9/16 at 3:10 am, 26 year old Marcello Guillen was driving east on Lone Tree Way and veered off the roadway at the intersection of Golf Course Road. The driver drove onto the sidewalk and up the slight embankment by Tailgaters restaurant and destroyed several large trees and shrubs. The vehicle continued east on the embankment and came to rest on top of the Tri Delta covered bus stop. Guillen fled the scene on foot but was detained a short distance away. Guillen was determined to have been driving under the influence of alcohol and was not injured in the collision. He was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance and booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/8/16 at 9:59 pm, officers responded to the Economy Inn on E 18^th St for a welfare check. Upon arrival, they contacted 23 year old Sarah Denzer. A computer check revealed Denzer had a warrant for her arrest. Denzer was cited and released from the scene without incident.
• ·On 2/8/16 at 8:13 pm, an officer contacted 70 year old Barbara Cantrell in front of the Executive Inn on E 18^th St. The officer obtained consent to search Cantrell and located methamphetamine in her purse. Cantrell was issued a misdemeanor citation and released from the scene.
• ·On 2/8/16 at 8:26 pm, the victim was sitting in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot when he was approached on the passenger side by an unknown male with a gun. The male ordered the victim to unlock the passenger door and then sat down in the vehicle. The victim was robbed at gunpoint of his earrings, necklace, and iPhone and then pistol whipped on the back of his head. The male then exited the vehicle and left towards Lone Tree Way. The victim drove home and then got a ride to a local hospital. The incident was reported when the victim arrived at the hospital.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 9:21 pm, officers responded to Wal-Mart on Lone Tree Way on a report of a shoplifter in custody. When the officer arrived, he contacted 21 year old Miranda Gallagher who was being detained in the security office. During his investigation, the officer located 2 grams of heroin and 6 syringes on her person. Gallagher was cited and released from the scene.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 11:08 pm, officers responded to the 4600 block of Silvercrest Ct on a report of multiple subjects trespassing into a vacant property. Officers arrived and contacted several people inside the vacant home including 39 year old Jason Labrecque. A computer check on Labrecque revealed he had a no bail warrant for his arrest. Labrecque was arrested and booked into county jail without incident.
• ·2/7/16 at 7:23 pm, dispatch received several calls of numerous shots fired in the area of Hidden Glen and Hillcrest Avenue. Upon arrival there were several people standing out front of a home in the 4400 block of Hidden Glen Drive who all advised they hadn’t seen anything and were not entirely cooperative. We located two different areas where groups of shell casings were located. We recovered 8-.45cal, 3-9mm, and 16-.40cal casings at the scene. We were unable to locate any victims or property damage at the scene. Local area hospitals were notified and to date no victims have shown up at the hospital.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 6:32 pm, officers contacted 48 year old Paul Lomeli at the Executive Inn. A check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. While searching Lomeli incident to arrest, officers found him in possession of methamphetamine and a concealed knife on his person. Lomeli was booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 1:01 pm, dispatch received a call from an anonymous caller stating there was a subject making threats to a male who was inside of a vehicle parked in front of Bank of America on Somersville Rd. Officers arrived on scene and located 22 year old Akeem Kiante still at the driver’s window of the victim’s vehicle. He was detained after admitting to having marijuana and a knife. During an interview, officers learned the victim and his family were in the area driving when Akeem followed them to the bank parking lot. Akeem insisted they had a vehicle collision and demanded money from the victim for the alleged collision. Akeem brandished a box cutter knife while making threats towards the victim. The victim gave Akeem $200 cash because he was scared that Akeem was going to hurt him and his family. Akeem was arrested and found to be in possession of the $200, knife and approximately 3 oz of marijuana. He was booked in county jail. The money was returned to the victim.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 5:01 am, officers were southbound Auto Center at the Highway 4 on/off ramp behind a vehicle at the red signal light. The light turned green and the vehicle did not move. As the light cycled to red the vehicle still had not moved. Upon activating the emergency lights, the driver drove through the intersection against the red signal light and collided into a street light pole. The driver, 56 year old Wilford Hooper, was not injured but was under the influence of alcohol. Hooper was uncooperative and refused to submit to field sobriety tests or a chemical test. A search warrant was granted to obtain Hooper’s blood sample. Hooper has a lengthy history of DUI’s and other crimes. Hooper was later booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/7/16 at 1:00 am, officers contacted 36 year old Gabrielle Cobos in the Wells Fargo parking lot at 18th St and A St. It was determined Cobos had a no bail warrant for his arrest from an APD 2014 Robbery case. Cobos was arrested and booked into county jail without incident.
• ·On 2/6/16 at 11:00 pm, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of Cook St and MacCauley St for a traffic violation. The officer learned the driver, 21 year old Lafayette Maurice Davenport, had a warrant from a 2015 APD narcotic sales case. Davenport was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/6/16 at 9:09 pm, the victim arrived home and parked in her parking stall in the 2400 block of Sunny Lane. She noticed a silver Hyundai stopped on Mahogany Way. Two males exited the car and approached her. As they got closer she noticed that they were both armed with handguns. She jumped back into her vehicle and locked the doors. Both males started hitting her windows and yelling at her to get out of the car. She was able to reverse her vehicle and drive out of the complex. The males ran back to their car and chased after the victim for a short distance. Officers arrived on scene quickly but were not able to locate the responsible vehicle.
• ·On 2/6/16 at 9:07 pm, an unknown male entered Dollar General at 20 W 10^th St, brandished a handgun at the clerks, and demanded money from the registers. One of the clerks opened her register and the responsible grabbed the entire cash tray. The responsible then fled the store and was last seen running west bound on W 10^th St. The responsible was not located.
• ·On 2/6/16 at 8:14 am, APD Volunteers (VIPs) were in the area of Crestview Dr and Aster Dr when they observed a male subject sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle that was parked on the curb. The VIPs reported their findings to dispatch. Officers responded to the call and recognized the driver of the vehicle to be 30 year old Alvin Crane. The vehicle was still in drive, the doors were locked and Crane had his foot on the brake. They woke Crane who was disoriented and began reaching around in the car as it started to roll forward. An officer broke the passenger window and unlocked the doors. The other officer was able to open the driver’s door and place the vehicle in park as it came to rest against a chain link fence. Officers attempted to pull Crane from the vehicle but he resisted their efforts. They eventually pulled him from the vehicle were he continued to resist on the pavement. He was eventually taken into custody after additional cover officers arrived. Crane was very intoxicated and transported to county hospital for medical clearance and then booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/6/16 at 12:31 am, the victim arrived home from work and pulled his vehicle into the garage in the 1700 block of Springwood Way. As the victim exited his vehicle, two unknown males approached him in the driveway. Both males were armed with black semi auto firearms. The males ordered the victim to give them his money. In the process one of the responsibles pulled the victims gold necklace from his neck. The victim gave the responsibles all the cash he had on him. Both responsibles fled on foot in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured during the robbery.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 9:31 pm, officers were dispatched to 412 K Street on a report of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, officers contacted 45 year old Anthony Davis on the couch. Davis was found to be in possession of 9mm ammunition, a glass pipe and suspected methamphetamine. Davis is a convicted felon. He was booked at APD and later sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 8:30 pm, officers responded to a reported carjacking with shots fired in the Rite Aide lot on East 18th St and a subject down in the lot. At the same time, calls came in of a collision a block away in which a white minivan had struck multiple parked cars and came to rest in the yard of a residence on West 17th St. Upon arrival at Rite Aide, 37 year old Leo Lopez was contacted and reported he had been pistol whipped and his van was stolen. When officers arrived on scene on West 17th St and found Lopez’s van in the front yard of a residence with the driver deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Lopez admitted he went to the Rite Aide on East 18th St to meet with a subject he normally buys prescription pills from. He heard someone knock on his van’s window and unlocked the door thinking it was his dealer. The male got in and pistol whipped Lopez. Lopez jumped out of his van once he realized he was being robbed. The male fled in the van through the lot towards A St. Lopez pulled a gun he had concealed and opened fire at the male, striking him, as he drove through the parking lot. The male succumbed to his injuries and crashed the van into parked cars and a residence on West 17th St. Lopez showed officers where he had hidden his gun and had a large amount of cash on him. He was brought to APD and interviewed by Detectives. Lopez was later booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 5:48 pm, an officer attempted to stop 40 year old Scott Lee on a motorcycle in the area of Amber Dr and Cavallo Rd. Lee failed to yield to the officers’ red lights and siren and quickly accelerated. The officer did not pursue Lee due to safety conditions but was able to keep Lee in his sights from a distance. The officer later discovered Lee was stuck in the mud near the railroad tracks on Hillcrest Ave and Sunset Dr. Lee was contacted and arrested without incident. After performing field sobriety tests, Lee was placed under arrest for DUI and resisting arrest. Lee was booked at APD and later sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 5:13 pm, officers were dispatched to 1625 A Street for a report of subjects drinking and loitering. Officers contacted 33 year old Gary Kennedy in front of the location. He was found to have an outstanding felony warrant for auto theft. During a search of Kennedy’s person, officers located a 6 inch fixed blade knife concealed in his waistband. Kennedy was taken into custody without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 2:51 pm, 22 year old Emma Guido carjacked a vehicle from Century Plaza in Pittsburg and fled towards Delta Fair Blvd. She ran a red light at Delta Fair Blvd at Century Boulevard and hit a vehicle broadside that was travelling eastbound on Delta Fair Blvd. Two people in the vehicle she hit were transported to a local hospital for complaint of pain. Guido attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended by a Pittsburg PD officer. Pittsburg PD requested we take the accident report and PPD took the arrest of Guido for the carjacking. APD completed a traffic collision investigation.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 1:56 pm, an officer recognized 27-year-old Robert Lay driving on Sycamore Dr and knew he had a felony warrant for his arrest. He conducted a traffic enforcement stop and contacted Lay and 22 year old Angela Dieteman. A records check of Dieteman showed she had a felony warrant out of San Benito County also. Both were arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/5/16 at 1:50 am, 22 year old Brianna Robertson and 23 year old Omar Jimenez were contacted during a vehicle stop. Robertson was arrested without incident on an outstanding burglary warrant from Alameda County. Jimenez had an open bottle of Crown Royal in his lap. He refused to identify himself to officers and was booked into county jail and later cite released once his identity was verified.
• ·On 2/4/16 at 11:09 pm, 45-year-old Jeffrey Mittelbusher was stopped for vehicle code violations. He pulled to the right and immediately jumped out and fled on foot. Mittelbusher was caught after a short foot pursuit and attempted to pull away and get up. Officers were able to quickly take Mittelbusher into custody. He was medically cleared at a local hospital and then booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/4/16/at 4:19 pm, a male wearing a black hoodie covering his head, walked into the KFC at 2410 Mahogany Way and approached the counter. There were several people in the business at the time as he approached the cashier. The male brandished a pistol and told the cashier not to look at him. He told the cashier to hand him everything from the register. The suspect then ran out of the business and east on Mahogany Way. An area check was conducted with negative results. Most of the witnesses were unaware a robbery had occurred when questioned.
• ·On 2/4/16 at 7:15 am, the victim walked into her kitchen at the 200 block of W 17th St and found an unknown male adult inside of the residence. The male charged the victim and threw her to the ground and punched her right hand causing two of her nails to break off. The victim was able to grab a clothes iron and hit the suspect with it. The suspect fled out of the residence and ran northbound on D Street. An area check was conducted and the suspect was not located. The scene was processed for evidence.

 

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:47 p.m. Antioch Police Dispatch began receiving calls of shots being fired in front of the Chevron at 3201 Delta Fair Blvd. at Somersville Road. Officers responded to the scene where they located a 31-year-old male, Antioch resident on the ground. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Also on scene was a 34-year-old male from Cordelia. It appears at this time that the 34 year old male and the 31-year-old male knew each other and a confrontation ensued at this location, culminating in the 34-year-old shooting the 31-year-old. The 31-year-old was transported to an area hospital where he is currently in surgery.

After the shooting the 34-year-old remained on scene and awaited the arrival of the police. Antioch Detectives were called in and have taken over the investigation. The 34-year-old is cooperating with the investigation at this time and no arrests have been made. This investigation is in its preliminary stages and no further information will be released at this time.

Anybody having information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Det. Vanderpool at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Honors First Black Resident, Introduces Shopping Cart Ordinance

“The City of Antioch will not be bullied” – Mayor Wade Harper

By Nick Goodrich

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 9th, the Antioch City Council gave the go-ahead for the Vineyards at Sand Creek development project, the city’s first gated, new home community. In addition, they introduced a new shopping cart ordinance aimed at preventing the abandonment of carts around the city, and made a decision to place a citizens initiative to control card rooms in Antioch.

Thomas Gaines Honored

The meeting opened with the approval and reading of a proclamation by the City Council honoring the first black person to live in Antioch, entitled Celebrating Thomas Gaines Day in Antioch, February 9, 2016, as part of the City’s efforts to recognize Black History Month.

According to the proclamation and local history books, “In the 1860’s an emancipated slave named Thomas Gaines came to Antioch and worked as a laborer on the Antioch docks;…was the only African American resident of Antioch between 1860 and the 1940’s; and…He lived in a red brick shack on the waterfront in the back of the Antioch Lumber Company; and…On February 28, 1875, Thomas Gaines became a member of the First Congregational Church by profession of faith; and he…was highly regarded around town for his noble work and his caring attention towards others – he regularly walked women and children home from church for safety.

Health & Wealth Initiative Presentation

That was followed by a presentation on the “Antioch Health and Wealth Initiative” by Keith and Iris Archuleta, who have spoken with city stakeholders and residents for close to a year to help their effort gather data. The Initiative aims to foster a successful and growing Antioch by identifying and addressing areas in which the city can improve, while playing to it’s strengths.

“We have to build on our community’s assets and strengths, (of) which we have so many,” said Iris, who has been a prominent community activist in Antioch since moving to the city in 1992, and is the founder of the Antioch Youth Intervention Network. She and her husband’s company, Emerald Consulting, are working on the Initiative pro bono, emphasizing that there would be no cost to the city.

“We are citizens here, and if we want it done right, and we think we can, we’re doing it,” she added.

Vineyards at Sand Creek Development

Later in the meeting, Council held a public hearing to discuss the Vineyards at Sand Creek, a proposed housing development in the Sand Creek Focus Area. The project has been gaining steam since it’s approval by City Council in September of 2014, and would involve gated community, with 641 units, a park, and a swimming pool.

Matt Beinke, representing the developer GBN Partners, LLC, a company of Blackhawk-Nunn which built the Applehill Estates gated community in Brentwood, spoke before the Council during the hearing.

“A lot of time and effort has gone into this, a lot of community meetings,” he said. “It would be the only net positive community in the city.” Beinke noted that for the last 25 years, a lack of infrastructure in the Focus Area has prevented development from moving forward. But the proposed development would include the addition of both roads and underground utilities, such as gas lines. “There are no other contributions (to the project), city or otherwise,” he said. The adjacent Heidorn Ranch development would provide added infrastructure as well, with Heidorn Ranch Road running out to connect with Sand Creek Road.

No official opponent to the project was listed in the hearing, but Antioch residents turned out in force to speak both for and against the Vineyards. Lucas Stuart-Chilcote, a student at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, in the Focus Area, cited several concerns before City Council including wildlife conservation, congested roadways, and crowded schools. “This area should be seen as Antioch’s natural preserve,” he said.

Wendy Aghily, an Antioch resident, echoed these concerns, reading from the city’s General Plan, which included making an effort to reduce commute times and traffic congestion. She asked the Council how it planned to follow through with these aspects of the document by adding another housing development to the city. “The city is going to replicate the mistakes of the past, and it is going to do it in record speed,” she said.

Beverly Knight, another resident, was concerned about overburdening an already understaffed police department with another neighborhood.

“This seems like a fancy addition to a dilapidated house,” she stated. “You need to focus on the foundation first.”

Other citizens were in full support of the Vineyards development. Tim Forrester, Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations for the Antioch Unified School District, was excited about the infrastructure that the project would introduce to the area. He noted that both Dozier-Libbey Medical High School on truck shipments of gas to stay running. The proposed gas lines would solve that problem for both establishments, he said. Forrester also mentioned the sewer service for both the school and Kaiser hospital, which will benefit by the new sewer line, instead of collecting it in a tank on site and pumping it to the neighborhood to the north.

Pablo Galvan, representing the environmental group Save Mount Diablo, said he supports the conservation benefits the development would bring, as well. A proposed buffer zone would help to protect natural habitats, a big point for him, and the city’s Habitat Conservation Plan would add “an extra level of conservational scrutiny”.

Union tradesmen, a representative from the IBE brotherhood of electrical workers, and more than a dozen plumbers also offered their support for the project, citing an increase in work for local businesses. Finally, Jack Roddy, prominent Antioch resident and owner of the Roddy Ranch Golf Course, spoke in support before the Council.

“I stand for planned growth,” he said. “These developers are classy and always do a great job. Antioch deserves them, and they deserve Antioch.”

Estimates from the project developers and city staff state that the housing development would offer more than $64,000 per year in revenue to the city of Antioch. The community would pay for it’s own police services, with every unit contributing $450 per year to the police services fund. “This developer is known for creating respectable, attractive developments in the East Bay,” said resident Ralph Garrow.  “It will be a responsible development.”

After fielding questions by City Council, Matt Beinke returned to the audience. Council voted to approve the next stages of the project in a unanimous, 5-0 vote.

Card Room Initiative

A ballot initiative concerning card rooms in Antioch was also brought before City Council on Tuesday. The proposed ordinance, which would limit the number of card rooms in Antioch to just one, would require voter approval in order to add any additional card rooms or expand the current one. The effort to pass the ordinance, which gathered enough signatures to be placed on the ballot, is being led by Antioch resident and Economic Development Commission member Lamar Thorpe, and is being funded solely by the California Grand Casino. Multiple attempts were made to contact Thorpe for his comments, but he did not respond.

The California Grand, which aims to limit card room competition in Antioch with the measure, was part of the organization that attempted to shoot down a Planning Commission vote in 2013 on whether or not to send the issue of the reopening of Kelly’s Card Room to the City Council. The California Grand has a history of weeding out its competition, as it used similar tactics in 2010 to defeat a measure that would have allowed for another card room in Richmond. And in 2004, the Casino purchased a bankrupt card room in San Ramon and subsequently shut it down, eliminating it as a threat to competition. It attempted to do so anonymously, but was forced in court to reveal its identity before the purchase.

Antioch currently has a card room ordinance in place, which was passed in 2011, reducing the number of card rooms in the city, from five to two. The only real change to the current law that the proposed measure would offer is to limit that number to just one.

Council Member Tony Tiscareno recalled being solicited by a petitioner outside of Food Max. When he questioned the petitioner about the details of the proposed measure, the petitioner didn’t have any additional information to give him, and didn’t know much about the measure, he said. Tiscareno discover during the conversation that the petitioners were paid, and the man in question was not even an Antioch resident.

“This issue here disturbed me,” said Tiscareno, during the meeting.

The Council was faced with the decision to either pass the measure, or allow it to go to the June ballot, which would cost the city’s General Fund between $132,771 and $177,028. Council Member Monica Wilson likened the situation to “being pushed into a corner.”

“It’s kind of like tying our hands, and saying you have to do it, or it’ll put the city in a lot of money,” added Council Member Mary Rocha.

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock asked city staff to look into whether or not having a member of Antioch’s Economic Development Commission circulating the petition would constitute a “conflict of some sort”.

Interim City Attorney, Derek Cole responded that he didn’t think there was a legal conflict, which requires a financial impact to a commission member.

Concerns about the cost for placing the initiative on the June election ballot were partly waylaid by City Clerk Arne Simonsen, who reported to Council that sending the ordinance to the June ballot rather than the November ballot would not constitute a significant addition to city expenditures.

Ogorchock suggested adding another initiative to the ballot, in response to a proposal by City Treasurer Donna Conley, that they eliminate her elected position and annual salary, and combining it with the City Finance Director’s job. The savings from not paying the Treasurer’s salary would help offset the cost of the election. The Council has until their February 23rd meeting to place another measure on the June ballot and will discuss Ogorchock’s proposal, then.

In the end, the overwhelming sentiment from the City Council was the belief that they were being pushed into a decision on the card room ordinance.

“I don’t like the way they presented it to us at all,” said Mayor Wade Harper. “The City of Antioch will not be bullied.”

The Council then voted unanimously, in a 5-0 vote, to call for the election and submit the decision to voters in June.

Dear Editor,

When the government fails to act to protect the people, citizens have a right to petition their government for changes. I deeply cherish and understand this right because I defended it for 8-years as a member of the U.S. military. In 2013, the Antioch City Council rushed to issue a gambling license after receiving campaign contributions from a well-connected businessman who soon after plead guilty to money laundering on behalf of drug dealers.

As a result, in 2014 more than 20 Antioch citizens signed a letter to the City Council asking them to close the dangerous loopholes in the City’s card room ordinance. The Council made a halfhearted effort that did not go far enough.

First, the Council failed to change the ordinance to keep card rooms from our churches and schools. The initiative I’m supporting keeps gambling 1,000 feet away from any school, place or worship, alcohol or drug recovery center, mental care facility, park, library or other card room.

Second, the Council failed to restrict the conversion of our traditional card rooms with poker games into mini-casinos. In other cities, card rooms have put in fast paced casino games with super-sized “tables” that can accommodate dozens of players at each table.My initiative requires at least half the card room tables to be used for poker games and no more than 10 players per table.

Third, one of the card rooms in Antioch, Kelly’s, which was going to be used as a front for drug money laundering, was closed by State officials. Under this measure it would stay closed.  This initiative would keep the 19th Hole card room and the games we have now, and allow modest growth unless voters allow more gambling.

And to that end, in December of 2015 the coalition we formed turned in more than 9,302 signatures of Antioch registered voters to enact the necessary reforms. Prior to collecting signatures, our representatives had face to face meetings and/or conference calls with members of the City council. As a matter of fact, one council member signed our petition.

In 2015, when the petitions were circulated, the title and summary on the petitions were prepared by the City and accurately explained how this initiative would change and improve our laws and gambling regulations.

This has been a 2-year effort. No one bullied the Council. Just like no one bullied Councilmember Lori Ogorchock in having a face-to-face meeting with our representative to discuss these efforts. The Council was asked in 2014 to close these loopholes but did not. This is why the voters need to be in control of gambling expansion and not politicians open to influence.

This measure will prevent future City Councils from foolishly pursuing gambling at the expense of other local businesses that better contribute to our overall economy. In that same vein, this should serve as notice to the City Council that enough is enough. We need to attract high-quality businesses to Antioch, not more gambling, smoke shops, 7-Elevens, liquor stores, etc.

The coalition behind this campaign includes community leaders, business leaders, taxpayers and citizens from all over Antioch. Responsible card club owners also back this campaign. They are concerned about ethically challenged casino operators who create a bad image for the entire industry.

Lamar Thorpe

Citizens Initiative Against Gambling Expansion

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES:

State Route 160:

There will be full freeway closures in the southbound direction of State Route 160 between Main Street/E. 18th Street and the State Route 4/State Route 160 connector ramp on Thursday Night and Friday Night from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSURES:

State Route 4:

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between Railroad Avenue and Contra Loma on Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of State Route 4 between Bailey Road and Contra Loma on Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 am to 12:00 pm.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to info@4eastcounty.org

Do you know a deserving Business, Citizen, Non-Profit or Youth? Nominate them today for an Award and Recognition at the 2016 Annual Inaugural Gala and Awards Dinner.

Nomination deadline has been extended to Monday, February 15th due to President’s Holiday. Please email nominations to Diane@Art4Antioch.org or contact Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897 for questions or paper submissions.

1. Nominate a Business for the Business of the Year Award.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, through its “Business of the Year” Award, honors a company’s contributions in developing the social and economic well being of Antioch.

Download Business of the year nomination form. 

2. Nominate a citizen for the Citizen of the Year Award.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, through its “Citizen of the Year” Award, honors an individual for his/her contributions in developing the social and economic well being of Antioch.

Download citizen of the year nomination form.

3. Nominate a youth for the Youth of the Year Award.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, through its “Youth of the Year” Award, honors a youth for his/her contributions to the community of Antioch.

 Download Youth of the Year nomination form. 

4. Nominate a Non-Profit for the Non-Profit of the Year Award.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, through its “Non-Profit of the Year” Award, honors a local non-profit’s dedication, time and service contributions in developing the social and economic well being of Antioch.

Download Non-Profit of the year nomination form.

Please email nominations to Diane@Art4Antioch.orgor contact Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897 for questions or paper submissions.
We hope you will take this opportunity to share your business with the community.

As published in Acting City Manager/Public Works Director/City Engineer Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated February 5, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando. More serious or interesting crimes highlighted in bold.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 01/28/16 00:00:00 – 02/03/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,615

Number of Case Reports: 324

Number of Arrests: 92

Felony: 40

Misdemeanor: 52

Arrests with DUI charge: 4

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 2/3/16 at approximately 8:20 PM a 37 year old male walked out of an area hospital against doctor’s orders after being admitted the day before. The hospital notified the Antioch Police Department. Officers responded and searched for the subject who was wanted on a parolee at large warrant and has a long history of violent crimes and drug offenses. The male was not located at that time. On 2/5/16 at approximately 3:12 AM an officer checking an occupied vehicle at the east end of E. 6th Street found the parolee and a friend sleeping in the vehicle. While attempting to take the parolee into custody he fought violently with officers. Once the officers were able to restrain him, an ambulance was summoned to the scene to treat him for injuries sustained during the fight with officers. As the ambulance arrived the subject began having some sort of medical distress and life saving measures were taken. The 37 year old male was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased. The friend in the vehicle did not get involved in the confrontation and is cooperating with the police. The involved officers sustained only minor injuries. Because this is considered an in custody death, the county protocol was invoked. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, the Contra Costa County Crime Lab and the Antioch Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the facts surrounding this incident. No further information will be released at this time regarding the investigation.

• ·On 2/4/16 at 4:22 am, the victim was heading to his car to go to work in the 2000 block of Glenwood Dr when a tall thin male approached him and brandished a dark colored pistol demanding money. The victim ran from the suspect, who in turn fled northbound on Woodland Drive. The suspect was not located and there was no loss.
• ·On 2/4/16 at 12:51 am, the victim was stopped on Deer Valley Road at Rocky Point Drive for the red light when an old red Honda pulled in front of her and stopped. The occupants got out and one was armed with a hammer. They forced the victim from her car and fled the area. The victim was not injured and had to walk home to call APD. The vehicle was not located.
• ·On 2/3/16 at 10:19 pm, the victim arrived home and found her house burglarized. Some of the items taken were an IPad and laptop. She used the Apple Apps to track her items to the area of Lone Tree Way near Slatten Ranch. She continued to check the app and her items showed to be inside 5404 San Martin Way. Officers went to the residence to attempt contact. A BMW sped away as they approached and voices could be heard inside the residence. Initially, no one would come to the door, but through persistence, officers were able to get someone to open up. 27-year-old Hiram Lawrence, 24 year old Tomone Cross, and 51-year-old Bruce Mix were contacted. A probation search was conducted and the victim’s pillow case full of her property was found on the kitchen counter. Her laptop was found in the backyard. No one claimed to have any knowledge of how the property got into the house or where it came from. Mix provided a statement that he had given Lawrence and Cross a ride. He denied any knowledge of burglary. Lawrence and Cross have several contacts and arrests for burglary. They did fit the description of the possible responsibles, but there were no witnesses that could ID them as the responsibles. All parties were released pending further investigation at this time. A majority of the victim’s stolen property was recovered.
• ·On 2/3/16 at 7:06 pm, officers working the proactive detail made a vehicle stop and contacted the driver 27 year old Jonathan Noyolasierra. Noyolasierra was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe and loaded .357 speed loader. Further investigation led to the discovery of a loaded .357 magnum revolver in the roadway nearby that had been discarded by Noyolasierra just prior to the stop. He was also found to have a warrant for another previous gun arrest. He was transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/3/16 at 5:00 pm, officers were working a proactive detail and contacted 25 year old Joseph Miller in the area of West 7th Street and H Street. He was found to be in possession of a loaded stolen revolver. Miller was taken into custody without incident. He was found to also have a no-cite felony warrant and was later booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/3/16 at 4:43 pm, officers were dispatched to 901 J St on a report of a fight in the courtyard. Upon arrival, several males were seen running into apartment #8. Officers made contact with approximately 15 subjects in the courtyard. All subjects were detained. 24 year old Darrisha Armstead was arrested on an outstanding warrant for robbery. Officers then made contact at apartment #8. 25 year old Artis Crenshaw, 21 year old Michael Moore, and 31 year old Terrence Benjamin exited the apartment. Benjamin had an outstanding warrant for auto theft. The apartment was subsequently searched and two loaded handguns were located. All four subjects were booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/3/16 at 10:23 am, 26 year old Ahmad Burks showed up to the probation office for an appointment. Officers met him in the lobby and he was arrested without incident. The Investigations bureau was notified regarding Burks’ arrest as he is a suspect in a recent shooting. He was transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/2/16 at 10:40 pm, officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Gary Ave. and Biglow Dr. The front passenger fled from the vehicle and into the Bidwell school campus. Officers gave chase and lost the subject. Approximately one hour later, officers responded to the listed address on an unknown subject who had gained entry into an occupied house and was bleeding from his mouth and would not stop shaking. The residents did not know who the subject was. Officers arrived a short time later and determined the subject was the person who had earlier ran from the vehicle. The subject 37 year old Wendell Celestine was uncooperative and it was determined he had a no bail parole warrant. Celestine was suffering from hypothermia as he was hiding in a creek bed with only shorts on. Celestine was admitted into a local hospital.
• ·On 2/2/16 at 9:12 pm, an officer was conducting follow up in the 4100 block of Mt. Isabell Rd. when he came across 20 year old Daddy Webb. A computer check revealed Webb had a warrant for his arrest. Webb was arrested and booked into county jail without incident.
• ·On 2/2/16 at 6:19 pm, Antioch officers were aware of a burglary of an Oakley Sergeant’s house in Brentwood in which 25 year old Eric Meals was a suspect and a suspect vehicle plate was provided. An Antioch officer was on patrol when he saw the vehicle in the Rite Aid lot on 18th Street. The officer contacted and detained Meals, 35 year old Alfred Noblitt, and 28 year old Manuel Hook. Brentwood PD Detectives responded to take over the investigation and custody of the suspects. Several items stolen in the burglary were recovered from the vehicle.
• ·On 2/2/16 at 8:02 am, 45 year old Samantha Seidell was contacted in the lobby of the Sutter Delta Hospital and was asked to leave by security as she had no reason to be there. Seidell became hostile with security and refused to leave. Seidell tried to walk into a bathroom but security blocked her path. Seidell removed a knife from her pocket and swung it at the security guard missing him but striking the wall. Seidell was detained by security and turned over to APD. She was sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/1/16 at 10:47 pm, an officer contacted 28 year old Cameron Alexander to the rear of the Safeway store on Deer Valley Rd. A computer check revealed Alexander had a no bail warrant for his arrest. Alexander was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/1/16 at 9:47 pm, an officer was on his way to a call when he noticed 42 year old Eric Jones pass by in the area of W 10^th St and D St. His attention was drawn to Jones’ vehicle as he was driving on a bare rim. Upon making contact with Jones he exhibited signs of being under the influence. Jones was subsequently arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/1/16 at 4:30 pm, officers were in the area of 233 Rossi Ave when they saw 20 year old Brandon Elder. Officers were aware Elder had an outstanding felony warrant and took him into custody. He was sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/1/16 at 4:12 pm, officers were dispatched to a local hospital regarding a victim who had been hit on the head with a bat during a burglary. The victim reported she was in her apartment at 1111 James Donlon Blvd and using the bathroom when her bathroom door was kicked by an unknown male suspect. The suspect attacked her with a baseball bat and fled the apartment. The victim’s purse was taken in the incident. Officers responded to the apartment and processed the scene.
• ·On 2/1/16 at 8:40 am, an officer was on routine patrol when he observed 51 year old Robert Carli loitering in front of Umpqua Bank at 3700 Lone Tree Way. The officer contacted Carli who was found to have a felony warrant out of San Mateo County. Carli was placed under arrest and the officer located prescription pills in Carli’s possession. Carli was also arrested for unauthorized possession of a schedule IV narcotic prescription. Carli was sent to county jail.
• ·On 1/31/16 at 11:42 pm, officers responded to Lone Tree Liquors at 2748 Lone Tree Way on a silent register hold up alarm. Officers arrived and contacted the store clerk. The clerk stated two unknown males entered the store, one stayed at the front door as the look out as the other brandished a silver revolver at the clerk demanding money from the cash drawer. The suspects fled on foot after taking cash. Security cameras captured the incident and a copy of the footage was attached to the report. Officers are following up on leads.
• ·On 1/31/16 at 9:05 pm, officers responded to the Valero gas station on Somersville Road on a report of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, officers contacted 39 year old Steven Delgado. A computer check revealed Delgado had a no bail warrant for his arrest. Delgado was arrested and booked into county jail without incident.
• ·On 1/31/16 at 4:40 pm, Wal-Mart security called to report 26 year old Justin Fulcher had stolen items and was resisting security when they tried to stop him. Upon arrival, security had Fulcher in the office and he was still trying to escape. Fulcher provided a false name but we learned his true identity after running his prints. Fulcher had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest and was also on felony probation. He was sent to county jail.
• ·On 1/31/16 at 1:39 am, officers were dispatched to the area of A Street and 10th Street on reports of a vehicle colliding with a signal light in the middle of the intersection and the driver trying to hide the car behind a nearby building. Officers located the responsible vehicle in the Dollar General parking lot and contacted the driver, 42 year old Belissa Estes. Estes was found to be under the influence of an illegal substance. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a small amount of marijuana and methamphetamine. Estes was arrested and consented to a blood draw. Estes was medically cleared at a local hospital and later booked in county jail. Public Works employees responded and repaired the downed traffic signal.

• ·On 1/31/16 at 9:36 am, an officer was patrolling the area near the foot of G Street when he contacted 28 year old Jonathan Ocampo outside of a vehicle. Ocampo was on felony probation and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The officer also located a glass pipe in the vehicle. Ocampo was arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 1/31/16 at 2:22 am, officers conducted a pedestrian stop on 35 year old Evila Briones. She identified herself with a California ID card belonging to someone else. The officers confirmed her identify was Evila Briones and she was arrested for felony identification theft and search incident to arrest turned up methamphetamine on her person. She is on three terms of probation and she was sent to county jail.
• ·On 1/30/16 at 7:11 am, an armed unknown male entered the Shell gas station at 2701 Hillcrest Ave wearing a hood, ski mask and gloves. An employee was stocking a refrigerator at the back of the store when the suspect approached him, pointed the gun at him and demanded the store’s cash. The victim went to the registers and gave the suspect two cash drawers from the registers. The suspect fled out of the store with the drawers northbound. Video was obtained from inside of the business. There were no outside cameras so it is unknown what kind of vehicle was associated with the suspect.
• ·On 1/30/16 at 12:41 am, while providing extra patrol to the downtown corridor, an officer contacted 26 year old John Appling sitting inside of his vehicle. Appling was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and transported to county jail.
• ·On 1/29/16 at 8:05 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of Appleglen St. and Hidden Glen Dr on a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle occupied. Officers could smell marijuana coming from the car. During a search, officers located several ounces of marijuana, packaging, scale and $955 in US currency from a backpack in the possession of 20 year old Tunde Falase. Asset forfeiture was authorized and the money was seized. Falase was transported to county jail for sales of marijuana.
• ·On 1/29/16 at 5:06 pm, a Pleasant Hill marijuana dispensary driver came to Antioch with orders to deliver a 1/8 oz of marijuana and edibles to Magnolia Way. Upon his arrival, two unknown males approached the victim and brandished a firearm. The suspects ordered the victim to empty his pockets. The driver gave the suspects his wallet, car keys, cash and marijuana. The responsibles discarded the victim’s phone in the front yard prior to the victim fleeing on foot. Upon returning to the scene, it was discovered the victim’s car was stolen. The vehicle was registered to the victim’s employer, who stated approximately $8,000 worth of marijuana was inside the vehicle. While a police K-9 was searching the yard of 1733 Magnolia for the discarded property, a pit bull exited the garage next door and went after the police K9 and officer handler. Another officer deployed his ECW, which struck the pit bull. The dog owner came out of his residence and took custody of his dog. It was then determined the owner did not order marijuana. The investigation is ongoing.
• ·On 1/29/16 at 10:18 am, 39 year old Julian Owens went into Boost Mobile at 1623 A St and stole a Samsung Galaxy phone and fled the store on foot. An officer located Owens in the area and he was identified as the responsible in this case. During a search of Owens’ person, 2.3 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe were found in his possession. Owens was arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 1/29/16 at 8:22 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of W 9th and L Streets for a hit and run collision and located the responsible vehicle on I and W 9th Streets. 58 year old David Voelker was found near the vehicle and admitted that his vehicle hit the victim vehicle. The victim did not want prosecution. Voelker consented to a search of his vehicle and 7.1 grams of methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. Voelker admitted to possessing the methamphetamine and was placed under arrest. He was later released pending lab results.
• ·On 1/28/16 at 9:56 pm, an officer observed 24 year old Michael Johnson standing in front of 804 W 11^th St and knew he had outstanding felony warrants. The officer attempted to contact Johnson who entered his home closing and locking the front doors. A perimeter was set up around the home and announcements for Johnson to exit the home were made. When Officers made contact with family exiting the front door to the home, Johnson fled out of the rear door of the home. He was arrested without incident. He was transported to county jail.
• ·On 1/28/16 at 7:51 pm, officers were dispatched to a local hospital for a report of a subject with a gunshot wound to the leg. Upon arrival they discovered victim was actually shot twice, once in the stomach, once in the inner thigh and was pistol whipped. The victim explained that he was leaving an address on W 14^th St and was approached by an unknown male who was holding a gun. The male pointed the gun at the victim and demanded his money. The victim pushed the gun down and in doing so, the male shot him in the leg. A struggle began between the two and the victim was shot once more in the stomach. After the shooting, the suspect ran off. Officers responded to the scene and located blood in the street consistent with the victim’s statements. The case is still under investigation.
• ·On 1/28/15 at 9:53 am, officer Hiles saw 22 year old James McCullar riding a 50cc dirt bike on the street without a helmet on Wilbur Av near Cavallo Rd. They attempted a traffic stop on McCullar and he failed to yield and a short slow speed pursuit ensued. McCullar drove in the wrong lane of traffic twice in an attempt to flee then went down Fulton Shipyard Rd. He eventually drove up onto the railroad tracks and the pursuit was terminated. McCullar drove off the tracks and then attempted to drive onto E 6th St where he was stopped by a perimeter officer without incident. The owner of the motorcycle was contacted and stated the motorcycle was stolen 4 years ago and reported to Pleasant Hill PD. After further investigation the owner of the motorcycle remembered she sold one 50cc bike and had one 50cc bike stolen 4 years ago and she could not remember which bike was stolen. McCullar was booked into county jail.