By Corporal Steve McElroy, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at approximately 3:36 PM, Antioch PD responded to the Chase Bank located at 3206 Delta Fair Blvd. on the report of a bank robbery.

Bank employees reported a male in his 40’s, with a medium build approached one of the tellers inside the bank. When the teller attempted to provide service to him, he demanded that the teller hand over the money she had and threatened that he was armed with a gun. No gun was ever seen, and the suspect fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Two sections of town will be allowed to have any type of cannabis businesses including retail dispensaries, for now

By Allen Payton

At their meeting on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in spite of the overwhelming opposition from those who spoke against the item, the Antioch City Council voted 3-2 to approve a Cannabis Business Overlay District, allowing recreational marijuana related business in two sections of the city. Councilmembers Tony Tiscareno, who made the motion and Monica Wilson who seconded it, were joined by Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe to approve the ordinance. Mayor Sean Wright and Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, who was the most vocal opponent, voted against. Cannabis Business District Staff Report 05-22-18

The two areas where marijuana businesses could be allowed are in the Verne Roberts Circle area near Costco and the Wilbur Avenue corridor from A Street to the Antioch bridge. (See map above.) However, as Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs pointed out, “It does not permit, by right cannabis uses. Any cannabis business that wants to open in one of the shaded green areas would require a use permit from the city council and the council can deny.”

In addition, the council can come back later and add more restrictions to the types of marijuana businesses that could be allowed.

For now, all types, including retail are allowed, in spite of the concerns expressed by Police Chief Tammany Brooks, who warned of increases in violent crime due to the presence of “large amounts of cash and large amounts of marijuana.”

“From a law enforcement standpoint, we have a difficult time, especially on the retail side of the cannabis business…it’s always been on the illegal context,” he stated. “We do see the negative consequences of marijuana and other drugs…we see this as a taxing business on our resources. If we bring businesses in that could increase violent crime, and we’re talking about a cash only business…we have pizza delivery drivers who get robbed for a little money…”

Following public comments which were all opposed to the ordinance, as well as council discussion, Ogorchock made a motion to ban all uses, but it died without a second.

Wright said he was willing to allow research and manufacturing, only and wanted a ban on retail. Tiscareno, whose been a supporter of allowing marijuana businesses in Antioch as a revenue source “to pay for more police,” since 2012, said he supported retail for medical marijuana. But his motion for the ordinance without limitations approves the retail sales of recreational marijuana, as well.

Both the city staff and Antioch Planning Commission recommended the council adopt the ordinance.  However, the commission only passed it on a 3-2 vote, because two members were absent during the night of their meeting. Usually, four votes of the seven members are required to approve a recommendation to the council or oppose a matter.

Please check back later for more details and updates to this story.

By Sergeant Matthew Harger #3305, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, May 18, 2018 at about 8:35 pm, Antioch Police units were dispatched to the area of Hillcrest Avenue and Larkspur Drive regarding an armed carjacking that had just occurred. According to the 19-year-old victim, he was in the parking lot of Hillcrest Park when he was approached by the responsible who pointed a gun at him and forced him out of his car. The responsible got into the victim’s car and fled the area.

A short time later Antioch Officers located the stolen car in the 4800 block of Lone Tree Way and attempted to stop it. The responsible attempted to flee in the stolen car but almost immediately collided into two cars on the roadway. The responsible fled on foot in the area of Sagebrush Drive and Lone Tree Way but was quickly caught by officers after a brief foot pursuit. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was found near the responsible after he tried to discard it while fleeing.

The 19-year-old male suspect was arrested and booked into the Contra Costa County jail on charges related to armed carjacking, possession of loaded, concealed firearm, and evading the police.

The occupants of the two vehicles involved in the collision all declined medical assistance at the collision scene.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. This case is currently under investigation and there will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at

(925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

This Saturday is Clean Slate Day in Antioch that allows individuals to apply for and receive a reduction or dismissal of a prior conviction. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Antioch Police Department are co-hosting Saturday’s event.

The event is open to the public. Residents can register for Saturday through Code for America at www.clearmyrecord.org

“Clean Slate Day will help remove barriers for members of our community trying to get a fresh start. With this partnership, we are able to assist hundreds seeking legal assistance,” stated Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. “Prior convictions can leave a lasting mark on an individual’s record and life. We must continue to seek opportunities to bring law enforcement and the legal community together with the community to ease tensions and clear old convictions.” Becton initially organized a Clean Slate Day in Richmond, California when she served as a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge in 2016.

The Clean Slate Program operates throughout the entire year and is managed by the Public Defender’s Office. Individuals can contact the program at 925-335-8150 for questions about seeking Proposition 47 relief, record sealing, legal advice and dismissals of convictions.  Residents can also register on an ongoing basis for the Clean Slate Program through Code for America at www.clearmyrecord.org. 

“Far too many people face barriers in accessing employment, housing, and education because of a prior criminal record.  Having one’s record expunged can have a transformative effect by making it easier for individuals to reintegrate back into their communities,” said Robin Lipetzky, Chief Public Defender. “Our Clean Slate team specializes in assisting people with clearing their records and giving them a second chance at life.”

This is the first event co-hosted with a law enforcement agency. Clean Slate Day starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. at Antioch Middle School.

“This event helps our community heal and thrive,” conveyed Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks. “We must work to reduce recidivism and assist individuals in navigating the criminal justice system.”

Other community partners offering services on Saturday will include the following organizations: Bay Area Legal Aid, Rubicon Programs, Contra Costa Reentry Network, and the Safe Return Project.

“We want this to be the place that people want to live, not move away from.” Mayor Sean Wright. Speaks of “balanced, conservative development”

By John Crowder

On Friday, May 11, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual State of the City luncheon for 2018 at the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park.  While attendees dined on a lunch buffet provided by Celia’s Mexican Restaurant, they heard from Chief of Police Tammany Brooks and Mayor Sean Wright in a presentation that lasted just over an hour.

Richard Pagano, CEO of the Antioch Chamber, welcomed everyone to the event, then introduced Chief Brooks.

Chief Brooks: Department Using Technology to Prevent, Reduce Crime

Brooks began his presentation by providing an update on the latest crime statistics.  The data he presented included statistics for the past year and trend information for the last five years.

Brooks went beyond the simple reciting of statistics, however, providing details that he said were being used to help law enforcement take a more proactive approach to community policing.  He shared that the information he was providing could also be used by members of the public to take actions that would substantially reduce the likelihood that they would become victims of crime.

Brooks noted that violent crime was down 20% over the past year.  Digging deeper into the data, he explained that, of the ten criminal homicides that had occurred, eight involved criminal activity, one involved a robbery, and one involved a family dispute.

Two-thirds of robberies, Brooks said, occurred at night.  Of the aggravated assaults that took place, in three-fourths of the cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim.  While there was a significant reduction in residential burglaries, he noted that in one-third of these crimes, the house itself or a window to the residence had been left unlocked or open.

Newer key technology, according to Brooks, contributed to the fact that almost 80% of car thefts were of cars that were 10 years old or older.  He noted that in 90% of these crimes, the stolen vehicle was recovered.  Brooks attributed a portion of this success to the installation of cameras equipped with license plate readers.  He emphasized how his department was continuing to seek ways to leverage technology to fight, and prevent, crime.

Other highlights shared by Brooks were that crime has been in decline over the past five years, that the City has had a net gain of fourteen officers since the passage of Measure C, and that response times have been significantly reduced. (Editor’s Note: The City has only had a net increase of seven officers since Measure C was passed, using the correct figure of 89 sworn officers as the base, not 82 that the council and staff are using).

Future priorities for the police department include a focus on gang and drug enforcement, increased collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies, and continuing engagement by officers and staff with members of the community.

Community volunteers, according to Brooks, continue to make substantial contributions to reducing crime and blight.  He highlighted the Volunteers In Police Service, the Police Explorers, and made special mention of Antioch resident Tim McCall, who led an effort to raise funds for additional K-9’s, which Brooks called a “force multiplier.”

He concluded his remarks by saying, “Antioch is already a safer city,” as he pledged to work to continue moving citizen safety in a positive direction.

Mayor Wright Highlights City’s Achievements

Mayor Sean Wright followed Brooks and began his remarks by thanking his fellow council members for working together, as he acknowledged each one of them individually.  Referring to the positive results that had been related by the Antioch Chief of Police, Wright said, “This all comes as we work together.  It’s all of us coming together.”

Wright then highlighted some of the major economic development successes over the last year, including Best Buy moving to Antioch, the new Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill restaurant opening soon on the waterfront, BART operations beginning on May 26, the opening of the $15 million Rocketship School on Cavallo Road this coming fall, and the creation of four Opportunity Zones in the city.

Wright continued discussing economic development as he touched briefly on regional collaboration, and the desalination project that was a result of a major grant received by the City of Antioch, one of only three such grants in the state of California.

“This will help our community create jobs and create water,” he said. “This is huge for our community.”

Wright emphasized that there are many ways, now, for residents to become involved in Antioch and help the city move in a positive direction.  He noted that the City was providing information through Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Antioch on the Move, Join the Conversation, and especially emphasized the SeeClickFix app. (Available for download on Android GooglePlay marketplace and at the Apple iTunes store.)

“There is no time to rest,” Wright continued. “We just finished districting.  Decisions on cannabis are coming up.  We’re hiring an economic development director, hopefully on board in the next two months.”

Addressing the homeless situation, Wright discussed the Care Center that was being built that would, “help the homeless get the services they need.”  Wright also thanked Council Member Lori Ogorchock and District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis, who he said, “worked together to bring a Family Justice Center to Antioch.”

Says Sand Creek Will Take Antioch Into the Future

After discussing the “Four Corners” of Antioch, Wright turned his attention to the Sand Creek Focus Area. He said, “There’s a petition right now around Sand Creek,” which he noted was seeking support to curtail development of the area.

Showing a series of slides to put the issue into perspective, Wright said that development around Sand Creek of estate homes and senior housing was part of a long-standing plan to take Antioch into the future.  With respect to estate homes, Wright said, “These are jobs, these are people with money to invest.”  He also said that, without this development, “we get no connection,” referring to the fact that there are currently two off-ramps that take people into Brentwood and Oakley but go nowhere into Antioch.

When questioned further about this issue at the end of the presentation, Wright said, “Balanced, conservative development to help finish building infrastructure around the Laurel and Sand Creek exits should bring about senior and estate housing that does not exist in our community.  This development is vital if we are to attract those willing to make the investments in our community that will result in the high-tech jobs that we desire.”

Concluding his remarks, Wright said, “If you want to help, get involved.  Drive us to the future that we need.  We want this to be the place that people want to live, not move away from.  Thank you for coming today and thank you for your help.”

Antioch Chamber CEO Pagano, closing the event, encouraged everyone in Antioch to work together to improve the City.  “If there is an issue that you care about, please, step up and let your voice be heard,” he said.

On Friday, May 11th, 2018 at 1:13 pm, Antioch Police Officers and medical personnel were dispatched to a vehicle collision in the area of Deer Valley Road and Country Hills Drive. Officers arrived at the scene with Contra Costa County Fire Personnel and determined that two vehicles were involved.

As a result of the collision, two adult subjects were transported to area hospitals with moderate injuries. One of the injured parties was transported by helicopter and is currently in stable condition. All parties involved in the collision stayed on scene and were cooperative with the investigation. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

By Interim Lt. John Fortner #3264, Antioch Police Field Services Division Patrol Watch Commander

On Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10:33 am, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to 3333 Deer Valley Road , near the Safeway store, on the report of an armed robbery. Witnesses reported that four armed suspects entered the T-Mobile business and stole several cell phones. Afterwards, the suspects entered a vehicle and fled from the area. Antioch officers located the vehicle westbound on Highway 4 and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The vehicle was followed into the City of Oakland and was ultimately recovered on a surface street. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time officers located and contacted it. At this time no suspects have been arrested in connection with this crime. During the course of this incident no officers or civilians were injured.

The robbery is currently under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Allen Payton

What appeared to be a quarrel between two women over a man, resulted in an injury collision of one and the arrest of the other in downtown Antioch, Sunday afternoon, April 29. One woman, age 19, drove her car into the other, striking her and pinning her against a parked pickup truck. However, no charges were filed by the Contra Costa District Attorney due to a lack of evidence the driver intended to hit the other woman.

The female driver of the car drove into the other female, who was on foot, and pinned her against a Ford F-150 truck that was parked in the lot on W. 2nd Street across from City Hall. The injured female, age 21 according to her sister, was transported to a local hospital. According to people on the scene it was a case of the injured female being with her ex-boyfriend, who is the current boyfriend of the other female.

A video of what happened prior to the collision was provided to Antioch Police. But, it only showed what occurred among the two women and the man, prior to the collision. It does not show the collision.

According to Antioch Police Lt. Desmond Bittner on Wednesday afternoon, “The responsible, the female driving the car, who hit the victim was arrested that day, but will be released if she hasn’t been already.”

Antioch detectives presented the case to the District Attorney’s office on Wednesday.

“But, no charges were filed by the D.A., for lack of sufficient evidence that the use of the vehicle was an intentional act,” Bittner said. “For felony charges to be filed, there has to be convincing evidence.”

“The lady who was hit wanted to fight the other lady in the car,” he explained. “The lady who was driving the car didn’t want to fight. So, she tried to leave the parking lot at a high rate of speed. We don’t know what type of fight it was, if it was going to be physical or just an argument.”

“There were at least three witnesses and according to at least two, plus the driver, it appears that it was an accident or that the lady who was hit jumped in front of the vehicle that struck her,” Bittner stated. “The only one who is claiming that it was intentional was the lady who was hit.”

Asked if detectives were still investigating he responded, “If something else comes about, if new information is discovered, we will reopen the case. For now, it is closed.”