Held on $125,000 bail, has brief history of arrests
10/29/26 UPDATE: Suspect out of custody with no charges filed
By Allen D. Payton
According to the Antioch Police Department’s CitizenRIMS Arrests list, 51-year-old Christopher Lee Wilson on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the 2700 block of Hillcrest Avenue, the location of the 7-11 store and 76 gas station, for first degree home invasion robbery and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize. Both are felonies.
Wilson is described as Black or African American, six-foot, three inches tall and 190 pounds and was charged with 211 Pc: Robbery 1st Degree Home Invasion (F) and 422(a) Pc: Threaten Crime With Intent To Terrorize (F). Felony robbery is punishable by 2–9 years in state prison, plus possible fines, with enhancements for firearms, injury, or repeated offenses, according to ShouseLaw.com, and the threat charge is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by imprisonment in state prison. Case Number: 26-10360
According to the APD CitizenRIMS Map, the incident occurred at 6:53 pm. Case Number:26-10360 Incident Number:2610260193.
APD leaders were asked why the robbery of a convenience store and gas station is labeled a home invasion robbery. Captain Matt Koch confirmed the incident occurred at the 7-11 store. But he was not working when he responded and the others did not respond with an explanation prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was born April 12, 1975, and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $125,000 bail.
According to localcrimenews.com, this is at least his sixth arrest since 2014, including two in Pittsburg for warrants or holds only, two by Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies in 2017 for vandalism of $5,000 or more and burglary in 2017, and for trespassing by driving on private property and disorderly conduct – lodges in any building, structure, vehicle or place whether public or private without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control of it on Dec. 5, 2025. He was also arrested in 2017 by Antioch Police for burglary.
10/29/26 UPDATE: According to the Sheriff’s Office, as of Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at 7:56 PM, he is out of custody with no charges filed.
Being held on $70,000 bail, has history of 42 arrests in multiple counties since 2016
By Allen D. Payton
On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2026, at 12:13 PM, Antioch Police responded to a report of arson at the 7-11 in the 2700 block Of Hillcrest Avenue at E. Tregallas Road. According to CitizenRIMS, 35-year-old Devin Howard Javaughn Taylor (born 3/9/1991) is listed as five-foot, nine-inches tall, 150 pounds, is Black of African American and was charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor for 451.5(a) PC: aggravated arson (F), 148(a)(1) PC: obstructing, resisting, etc. a public, peace officer or emergency medical technician – simple (M), and 290.012(a) PC: sex offender who failed to update their annual registration (F).
According to localcrimenews.com, he has been arrested 41 other times by multiple agencies since 2016, for crimes including sexual battery, indecent exposure, battery on a spouse / co-habitant / former spouse, cruelty to a child by inflicting injury, child endangerment, robbery, burglary, carjacking, battery on a peace officer, willfully harming a peace officer’s horse or dog with injury, DUI, petty theft, trespassing, vandalism and being a transient required to register as sex offender. His most recent arrest was on Sept. 30th this year by Antioch Police for attempting to remove a firearm from a peace officer and resisting an officer or attempting to deter or prevent a public officer from performing their duty.
The Martins, the broken window of David’s rental car and one of his cameras that was stolen containing a photo of the bride, Antioch resident, Jenna Wesenhagen-Banks. Source: GoFundMe
Antioch native David Martin, Jr. seeks public’s help for return of photos, hard drives and equipment or replacement
By Kirsten Mitchell, Communications Associate, GoFundMe
The newlyweds Jenna Wesenhagen-Banks and Nick Banks on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Photo by Carla Taylor Acevedo on Facebook
An Antioch couple’s wedding photos were reportedly stolen from their photographer’s rental car in Oakland just three days after their ceremony, and now the community is helping them try to recover those memories. David Martin, Jr., an Antioch native now based in Southern California, returned to photograph Jenna and Nick Banks’ October 4 wedding. According to the GoFundMe, thieves took nearly all the equipment he uses to support his family, along with drives holding years of work and the only copies of the couple’s wedding photos. Loved ones are asking for help finding the stolen drives and memory cards while raising funds to replace his gear and refund the couple if their photos aren’t recovered.
“What should have been a lifetime of cherished memories vanished in an instant. David is devastated, not only by the loss of his livelihood, but by the thought that Jenna and Nick may never get to relive the most important moments of their special day. Cameras can be replaced. A wedding day cannot.”
In a video on the GoFundMe page entitled “Restore David’s Livelihood”, Martin, who owns David Martin Jr. Photography according to his Facebook page, and is based in Orange County, CA according to his website, says, “I “lost…80% of my equipment.”
According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, break-in of his rental car in downtown Oakland happened days after the wedding in which “gear worth $35,000, including two cameras, lenses, a drone, a laptop as well as a hard drive and memory cards with the couple’s photos” were taken.
Post on GoFundMeby Lina Martin for David Martin
“On October 7, David Martin, a hardworking photographer and family man, had his vehicle broken into in Oakland. Thieves stole nearly all of his professional photography equipment, including cameras, lenses, drone, a laptop, accessories and hard drives holding years of irreplaceable work.
“In a matter of minutes, David lost the tools he depends on to support his family.
“The most heartbreaking part is that the stolen memory cards and hard drive held the only copies of Jenna and Nick Banks’ wedding photos. The couple had been married just three days earlier, on October 4. What should have been a lifetime of cherished memories vanished in an instant. David is devastated, not only by the loss of his livelihood, but by the thought that Jenna and Nick may never get to relive the most important moments of their special day. Cameras can be replaced. A wedding day cannot.
“David is doing everything he can to make it right. If the photos aren’t recovered, he will refund Jenna and Nick in full. He’ll also photograph them again, at no cost, in their wedding attire so they have something beautiful to hold on to.
“The theft also hit David in the middle of a video project in the Bay Area. All of the footage he had already captured was lost, which means he has to reshoot from scratch and cover the cost of travel all over again, on top of replacing his gear.
“For 12 years, David has photographed weddings, families, and milestones for people across Los Angeles and Orange County. Photography isn’t just his passion. It’s how he puts food on the table for his family.”
Where your donation goes
“Your support will replace the cameras, lenses, lighting, drone, laptop, accessories and storage David needs to get back to work, cover the travel costs of reshooting his lost video project, and help fund a full refund to Jenna and Nick if their photos can’t be recovered.”
Help us find the photos
“There’s still a chance the drives turn up. If you see cameras, lenses, laptops, or hard drives being sold in the Oakland area, on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, or anywhere else, please reach out through the “Contact” button on this page. A police report has been filed (RD# 26-042959). Getting those drives and or SD/Express cards back is the only way Jenna and Nick get their wedding photos.”
How you can help
“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you can’t donate, please share this page. The more people who see it, the better the chance someone spots the stolen gear.
“Let’s come together and help David get back behind the camera.
“Thank you for supporting David and his family.”
—————
As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, $14,215 has been raised from 54 donations of the total goal of $16,000.
According to documents available on the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County website, a private security company based in Antioch sued The Greater Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce and “Does 1-50” to get paid a little more than $15,000 for providing services to the Pittsburg Seafood Festival in 2023. The annual event was organized by the Chamber for which Wolfgang Croskey, a current Pittsburg City Council candidate, was and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
While the organization’s new website offers no mention of him, on the page of Croskey’s campaign website entitled, “The Record” he lists, “Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, CEO 2020 onward.”
In his role as CEO, Croskey signed the agreement with Strategic Threat Management, Inc. in August 2023 for the security services provided to the festival the following month. Yet, Croskey and the Chamber refused to pay, even after being sued and losing in court in 2024, until now.
While the contract total was for $26,561.60, the company sought $15,173.60 in their lawsuit, filed April 23, 2024, and the default judgment was issued and filed a little over a year later, on April 29, 2025. It required the Chamber to also pay the company pretrial interest at an annual rate of 10%, plus, attorneys fees and other costs for a total of $18,555.30.
Asked why the difference between the contract total and amount in the lawsuit, Strategic Threat Management’s president, Lawrence Treat explained, “He paid 50 percent as a deposit.” The additional amount sought in the lawsuit was to cover interest before it was filed. “He totally ghosted us. The judgment was by default. He completely ignored the court.”
On Monday, October 12, 2026, Treat shared with the Herald that Croskey had paid his attorney on Friday which was confirmed today. Asked what Croskey said to him, Treat said, “He didn’t say squat. No apology. It’s an absolute insult. It couldn’t have come at a better time. More important is the principle. You can’t do that to honest people. We’ve been in the community for a long time. It was absolutely uncalled for. It goes to his character. Heaven forbid he ends up in office. He’ll be in charge of city finances.”
“How timely was that?” Treat added asking rhetorically.
When asked why the Chamber still hadn’t paid Strategic Threat three years after their services were rendered and 18 months after the judgement was issued,Croskey said on Monday, “That’s been taken care of and paid.”
Asked if there was a dispute, he said, “No dispute at all. Just a revenue issue. The last couple of festivals have taken out of the Chamber. We’ve lost the steel mill and Corteva. We’ve lost some major sponsors. It’s been hard. We’ve never disputed the item or their services. The Chamber doesn’t get any money from the City and hasn’t for the past two years.”
The 2024 festival was the final year of the annual event that was first held in 1984.
Asked why the Chamber did not respond to the lawsuit in 2024 Croskey said, “There was nothing to dispute. Just took a little bit longer than expected. But it was paid 100 percent in full.”
You agreed on the price. Have you agreed on the meetup?
Buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or another online platform? Plan the exchange before you leave home.
Antioch Police Department has a designated Exchange Zone in our main parking lot at 300 L Street. Look for the posted sign.
A few practical tips for BOTH buyers and sellers:
Don’t follow a last-minute location change. “Come around the corner” or “meet my friend somewhere else” changes the arrangement. You can cancel or reschedule—even if you’ve already driven there.
Buyers: Check the item, not just the box. Open the packaging, compare the model and accessories with the listing, and test it before paying. For electronics, agree on how you’ll test them before meeting.
Sellers: A payment screenshot isn’t proof. If accepting an electronic payment, open your own app to check it. Don’t rely on their screen, an email, or a link they send. Never share a verification code.
Set the terms before the trip. Agree on the price, payment method, who’s meeting, and what’s included. Meet during daylight and bring another adult when possible.
Keep a record. Save the listing, seller or buyer profile, and messages before the meetup. Keep communication in the platform.
You don’t owe anyone a completed sale. Pressure to rush, skip inspection, or change the plan is a reason to pause.
The Exchange Zone does not guarantee safety. City employees cannot serve as official witnesses, authenticate items, or settle civil disputes.
Save this for your next meetup—or send it to someone who buys and sells online.
“The best cookies in the Bay” to be offered at only 2nd franchise out of 7 locations so far
“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” co-owner Dale Ingram
“It was nothing short of a leap of faith.” – co-owner Desiree Ingram
By Allen D. Payton
After months of preparation and much anticipation, entrepreneurs Dale and Desiree Ingram are excited to announce the Grand Opening of the new Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch on Friday, October 2nd. They will regularly offer a menu of the company’s line of 10 cookies including dark chocolate sea salt, cookies & cream, banana pudding, birthday cake, the staple cookie – brown butter pecan, and many more and will feature two special cookies each month. Since people enjoy milk and cookies, the menu will also include milk, plus, water for their guests. The Antioch location is just the second franchise for the five-year-old Vallejo-based company, out of seven locations, total.
With early career experience in the restaurant industry and backgrounds spanning customer service, investing, and business operations, the Ingrams shared their journey to entrepreneurship and how their collective experience is helping them prepare to open Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch.
Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch owners Dale and Desiree Ingram will welcome and serve you beginning Oct. 2nd. Photo: Allen D. Payton, Antioch Herald
“We’ve been getting trained. We’re holding interviews this week then we’ll train our staff,” Dale said.
Asked why they decided on this business opportunity, he said, “I was a customer at the Pinole store, and I was part of the newsletter, and it said they’re in the process of becoming a franchise. Another project we worked on for a year came to a halt, so, we thought, ‘let’s see what this Butter Pecan franchise is about’.”
“We had an introductory call on a Tuesday and that night we met in person,” Dale stated. “We just hit it off. Like-minded individuals. Entrepreneurs. We shared our inspirations and interests. Both driven individuals.”
“He sent over the paperwork, and I shared it with my wife,” he added.
“There were several incidences that were God-ordained,” Dale shared. “There are no coincidences. That’s why I think the other project we had been working on ended after a year of work. I prayed and asked God, ‘if not that what is it?’”
Desiree then said, “There was a bit of uncertainty hanging in the balance. Before the bakeshop opportunity came into play, I was wanting to transfer out of my job; I was very unfulfilled. I had a good run. They were great to me. It was a great experience. But it just wasn’t serving me anymore. I was praying and crying and went to my husband and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”
“But we didn’t know what was going to come of it,” she continued.
“It was nothing short of a leap of faith,” Desiree shared. “The other business venture started to slow down. I was transitioning out of my corporate role. But we were desiring for something more that will be fulfilling for us both and leave a legacy for our kids. The desire was there. We just didn’t know how it was going to unfold.”
“The reason the timeline is so important and sticks out for me, on the 2nd of January, which was my last day at my job, that day I was filling out the paperwork for the franchise,” Desiree stated. “Then Dale had his introductory call with the founder, Wendell Hunter.”
Source: Butter Pecan Bakeshop
“It was literally one door closes and another one opens,” Desiree continued sharing about their path to the cookie business. “Before I made my decision to leave my corporate job, I was driving home and just praying and having my moment of seeking clarity from God. He simply said, ‘Do you trust me?’ Then I was filling out the paperwork and felt like this was our way of saying, ‘yes’.”
“I get chills thinking about it because it was all mind blowing,” Dale shared. “After working the entire last year on a project that was not aligned with His will. When we finally took a break and opened our minds and laid that down, and this is became the one that finally worked.”
A Family Business
It’s a family business. They have a five-year old son and a four-year-old daughter.
“Our son has already made a business decision on our behalf,” Dale stated. “I asked how much we should sell the cookies for and he said, ‘$10,000.’
The legacy they’re working to leave for their children is why their corporate name is Ingram Legacy Group, LLC, which was started for this venture and to include all of their future ventures, he shared.
The Company’s & Cookies’ Origins and a Few of the Flavors
The description of the cookies on the website reads, “Southern-inspired homestyle cookies, baked fresh for every occasion. Cookies your way….”
“The owner’s family used to make Southern desserts, everyone contributes,” Dale explained. “He moved away and missed his grandmother’s nutcake made with pecans. So, he thought, ‘how can we bring the family together’ and he took his grandmother’s recipe, baked the brown butter pecan cookie and sent it out to his family. They said, ‘this is amazing’ and that’s what started things.”
“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” Dale continued, giving examples of their flavors including, “Banana pudding, peach cobbler, German chocolate, and of course, pecan pie.”
Desiree said, “There are 10 that are offered year-round then two specialty cookies each month. Probably the peach cobbler in the fall aligned with the holidays.”
There will be the “Childhood Favorites” of peanut butter and jelly, birthday cake, cookies and cream, and strawberries and cream. Then varying levels of sweetness. Some people don’t want it too sweet. Others say, ‘give me all the sugar!’”
Asked if there will be a salted caramel cookie (this reporter’s favorite) she said that it would be seasonal.
“But the company responds to requests on social media,” Desiree added.
“Which is why they brought back strawberries and cream on the regular menu,” Dale stated. “I love that one. There’s nowhere else you can get that. The tart strawberries and white chocolate.”
Restaurant, Corporate Experience
“I loved all my restaurant jobs,” said Dale. “I think that’s what intrigued me about this business, the customer service. We know you’re going to be satisfied when you leave here. All these things intrigued me about this opportunity.”
“We’re able to bridge our two worlds,customer service, and my background in operations,” Desiree said.
Corporate Growth
The first store opened in 2021 in Pinole.
“Currently they have five corporate stores and their first franchise opened in February in Hayward. We will be the second.”
The corporate locations are in “Pinole, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, Fairfield and Vallejo, where they have the storefront with the production facility in the back,” he shared.
Source: Butter Pecan Bakeshop
Ordering Options
Asked if there will be packages, Dale said, “Customers can buy them single, a half dozen or a dozen, which is the better deal, because you’re buying 10 and getting two free and can get one of each.”
“We do have the pre-made boxes such as: best sellers, nut lovers, chocolate lovers and Southern classics,” Desiree shared.
Asked if there’s an app or if people can call in an order ahead of time Dale said, “You can pre-order online through the corporate website, butterpecanbakeshop.com. We also have one corporate social media account.”
“We believe we’re on the right path and we know because we’ve seen Him through the process. It’s been very smooth,” she shared. “But there’s been sometimes that God makes sure, ‘do you still trust Me? If you trusted Me then, you can trust Me now. If I carried you then why would I stop now?’”
“If He did it before, He can do it again,” Dale added.
Corporate Owner Announces Antioch Location in April
In a post on the company’s Facebook page on April 20, 2026, corporate founder Wendell Hunter shared a video announcing the new location and wrote, “Antioch, California, are you ready for your very own BUTTER PECAN BAKESHOP?!?! “We’re coming loud and proud with The BEST Cookies in The Bay this Fall!
“We’re beyond excited to be opening our second franchise location in your city! Tag someone who lives in Antioch in the comments & stay tuned for more details coming soon!”
“If you haven’t done so, already, make sure you visit Butter Pecan Bakeshop on Instagram, click the link in the bio and join the VIP list. That is where you’ll get all the information for our upcoming Grand Opening that is coming real, real soon. Alright. Hope to see you there. And don’t forget we’re right here in The Crossings Hillcrest shopping center right next to Safeway and Ross.”
The bakeshop is equipped with an oven where the cookies will be fresh baked, the freezers for the dough and the racks to hold the cookies ready for sale and eating! Photos by Allen D. Payton, Antioch Herald
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Details
The Ingrams will hold the Grand Opening of their Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch location on Friday, October 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., following the Ribbon Cutting with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at noon on Friday with RC at beginning. Butter Pecan Bakeshop founder Wendell Hunter will be there and speak, the Ingrams will speak, as will District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas in whose District 3 the bakeshop is located at 3345 Deer Valley Road.
According to the Grand Opening announcement on the company’s Instagram account, “The first 100 customers get a FREE Cookie! We’ll also be selecting a few local businesses to receive a fresh box of cookies! Nominate your favorite Antioch business as a cookie drop stop by tagging them in the comments!”
