Photo by Jeff Strawther.

By Allen Payton

A single vehicle crash in the 1300 block of San Jose Drive in Antioch, about 2:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon resulted in a man being detained by police and then transported to the hospital.

“They took the driver away in an ambulance, after they had him in the police car,” said resident Jeff Strawther who was driving by the scene of the accident on his way home from work. “He was pretty resistant.”

“Don’t drink and drive! Especially at 2:00 in the afternoon….praise God no one was seriously hurt in this accident,” he posted on his Facebook page.

A call has been placed to Antioch Police for more details and to confirm if it was DUI related. Please check back later for updates to this report.

Emergency responders at the scene of the rollover crash on Kirker Pass Road, Tues., Feb. 11, 2020. Screenshots from Bay News Video by Art Ray.

Domestic violence related; suspect arrested

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at about 3:24 PM, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a rollover vehicle accident in the area of Kirker Pass Road and Hess Road near Concord.

During the initial CHP investigation, it was discovered that the cause of the accident was apparently domestic-related. The Office of the Sheriff responded to the location and started an investigation.

Deputy Sheriffs found the incident involved a woman and a man who were in a previous relationship. The woman and two others were driving in a tan colored 2004 Chevy Tahoe SUV. The suspect, who was in a white colored 2015 Mercedes Benz, followed behind and later pulled in front of the victim’s car causing her to lose control and flip over an embankment.

The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, who was ejected from the vehicle according to ConFire personnel, was taken to a local hospital and is said to be in critical condition. According to the CHP many vehicles pulled over and passersby helped turn the vehicle onto its side. One of the other occupants, a little girl, was treated and released from the hospital. The last occupant of the SUV was uninjured.

The driver of the other vehicle was later arrested by Deputy Sheriffs. He is identified as 28-year-old Alejandro Arriaga of Concord. He was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one felony count of child cruelty. Arriaga is being held in lieu of $190,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this case or who might have witnessed it is asked to contact detectives at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

The City of Antioch’s budget includes funding for 115 sworn police officers and the Antioch Police Department currently has 112 sworn officers on the force. But, staffing does not always keep up with the amount budgeted due to So, the council was asked by Police Chief Tammany Brooks for an over-hire of six officers.

“I’m going to start by thanking you…for your unwavering support,” Brooks said. “I’ve seen that support in your words. I’ve seen your support in the form of actions. You’ve shown up to swearing in ceremonies. But you’ve also shown your support by, I will say, your support…financially and by policy to raise our staffing from an abysmal 78 officers back in 2013 to 115 officers.”

Chief Tammany Brooks

“I have three more jobs, to fill. We have one young man in the police academy who will be graduating in May,” he explained.

Brooks also said he has two more conditional job offers which are the 114th and 115th officers.

“We have between three and six officers separating from employment due to retirement or medical reasons,” he stated. “Every year we’ve had three or more separations that are unexpected. So, I am looking at ways to minimize the period at which we go below our staffing levels. To do that I’m here asking for an over-hire. It will allow us to make conditional job offers, so they can start the police academy…to maintain our staff level at 115.”

“The average application process…takes up to three months,” Brooks explained. “If it’s an entry level hire it could take another six months.”

He asked for an over-hire of six officers to address the attrition.

“Do we currently…have a policy to allow you to over-hire, and not just coming to us?” Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked.

“There are two cities that do have a policy of over-hiring to maintain their staffing level and that’s Brentwood and Walnut Creek,” Brooks said.

“That is a policy we could look at, so we didn’t have to come back to council,” City Manager Ron Bernal said.

“I agree with Councilwoman Wilson…I think it should apply to Code Enforcement, as well,” Councilman Lamar Thorpe added.

“I just want to thank the chief for all your efforts,” Mayor Pro Tem Motts said. “I think you’re making an incredible difference in our community.”

“I just want to give credit to Nickie Mastay and finance staff.

“We have been hiring at a breakneck pace, at no point lowering our standards,” Brooks said. “Since Measure C was approved in November 2013, we’ve hired 82 officers and we’ve had 52 that have left for some reason of separation. So, for us to be here today with 112 officers is a tremendous feat.”

“Thank you for bringing this forward so we keep moving forward,” Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said. “I applaud the council of thinking of moving forward with a policy, so you don’t have to keep coming back to us to keep these numbers up.”

“Chief, thank you, this is necessary,” Mayor Sean Wright said. “This is the only way we get to the number allotted to you. Sometime soon we will get to the 115 number which is one officer per 1,000 (population). Then we can celebrate. Then we can get to 1.2.”

The motion to authorize the hiring of six additional officers passed unanimously.

Driver from Antioch taken to hospital, arrested; Driver of other car from Oakley sustains minor injuries

By CHP-Contra Costa

UPDATE: the Volkswagen sedan driven by Moss was determined that it was traveling wrong way (westbound within the eastbound lanes) of Hwy-4 prior to the initial collision with the Toyota.

Early this morning, at approximately 2:09am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a collision involving three vehicles on Hwy-4 eastbound, just east of Bailey Road. Upon CHP & emergency personnel arrival, a 2002 Volkswagen sedan, a 2015 Toyota sedan, and a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle had been involved in a collision. Unfortunately, the solo male driver of the Harley (29 years old from Antioch) was killed in the crash. The solo male driver of the Toyota (20 years old from Oakley) sustained only minor complaint of pain injuries. And the solo male driver of the Volkswagen (59-year-old Tony Moss from Antioch) was transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek for his injuries and suspicion of DUI driving.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male rider from the Harley Davidson.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. But our preliminary report indicates the Volkswagen and Toyota may have been involved in a collision on eastbound Hwy 4 at Bailey Road and then the Harley Davidson became involved as well, subsequently ejecting the rider of the Harley Davidson and killing him. The driver of the Toyota suffered only minor injuries, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation.

While at the hospital, Officers placed Moss under arrest for felony DUI. Upon his release from the hospital early this morning, he was transported to the Martinez detention facility where he was booked into the county jail for two counts of FELONY DUI: 23153(a)VC & 23153(b)VC.

As this incident is still under investigation, if anyone has information regarding this collision or events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Mark Anthony Thomas in his March 2019 Facebook page profile photo.

Identified as Mark Anthony Thomas. Second suspect still at large.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On December 14, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department was notified of a person who was shot inside of a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle in Pittsburg. At the time of the incident, the victim, along with his wife and children, were present when two armed and masked gunmen entered the residence and shot the victim following a brief struggle. Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old male resident (later identified by his fiancé as Rafael Lopez) suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.

From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. Officers provided aid to the man until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries. (See related article).

Detectives began working the case immediately and painstakingly poured over many leads and pieces of evidence until they were able to identify one of the shooters involved in the homicide. That shooter has been identified a 35-year-old Mark Anthony Thomas from Antioch.

According to his Facebook page, Thomas is a rapper whose stage name is M80.

On February 4, 2020, Thomas was located at a residence in the 5000 block of Ranch Hallow Way in Antioch and arrested by our agency. He is currently in custody in Martinez on murder charges.

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information please contact Detective Ruff at 925-252-4089.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Officer Chandler with Chief Brooks.

By Antioch Police Department

On Monday, Feb. 3, we welcomed Officer Joseph Chandler.

Joseph was born in San Leandro and raised in the East Bay. He graduated from Newark Memorial High School and pursued a career in sports broadcasting. After 13 years of working behind the scenes, Joe went after his dream of becoming a Law Enforcement Officer and was hired by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. During his time at the Sheriff’s Office, he was assigned to the Court Security Division, Transit Patrol, Parks Patrol and Headquarters Patrol.

Now that he doesn’t have a 104-mile daily commute, Joe is looking forward to spending more time with his family, watching their sporting events, and start to check off the “honey do list” his wife has for him.

Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Tongue out Tuesday! (Feb. 4, 2020) K9 Purcy showing off his recent “catch” after he recently completed his Narcotics Detection Course. K9 Purcy has been assisting Officers with numerous narcotics sniffs which recently resulted in the arrest of two subjects for narcotics sales and firearm possession. K9 Purcy is committed to helping officers take a bite out of crime!

Suspects George Siever and Brian Grey were arrested and today, Feb. 4, 2020. Photos by APD.

Antioch Police expect to make more arrests in this case in the near future

George Siever arrested.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On March 27th, 2005, at around 11:37 PM, 17-year-old Edgar Martinez was sleeping in bed in the 300 block of West 20th Street when two subjects fired multiple rounds into Martinez’s apartment. Martinez was struck in the chest and died on scene from his injuries. The murder was the result of an argument in the 300 block of West 20th Street between Candice Carter (now 39 years old) and a group of men she believed to be rival gang members. After the argument Carter and two other men returned to area and fired the fatal shots into Martinez’s apartment. It was determined that Martinez played no part in the initial argument with Carter.

On January 30, 2020 Carter was taken into custody for this murder. (See related article).

Brian Gray arrested.

On February 3, 2020 members of the Antioch Police Department brought the cold case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office to be reviewed. The case was filed, and arrest warrants were issued for the two remaining suspects in this murder. On February 3rd and 4th, two additional arrests were made for the 2005 shooting homicide of Martinez. George Siever (35 years old) was taken into custody followed by today’s arrest of Brian Gray, also 35 years old. Both arrests took place in the City of Antioch without incident.

The Antioch Police Department routinely reviews cold cases in an effort to find justice for the victims of senseless and violent crimes. It is by no mistake that complex cases such as these come to a successful resolution because of an incredible amount of teamwork, professional collaboration, and community outreach. The Antioch Police Department wishes to recognize the important involvement and participation of the community, and the support from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office.

The Antioch Police Department credits advancements in technology and help from the community in solving this 15-year-old murder. The Antioch Police Department expects to make more arrests related to this case in the near future