Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

The Contra Costa Area office of the California Highway Patrol will be conducting a “Sobriety Checkpoint” starting on Thursday, December 28 in an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County.  This safety event will be conducted from 9PM to 3AM.  Traffic volume permitting, all vehicles will be checked, and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can expect to be arrested.  In addition, officers will conduct driver’s license checks on motorists stopped at the checkpoint.

The event is part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.  Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to this press release, we will use our CHP-Contra Costa Facebook and CHP-Contra Costa Twitter pages to provide messaging to encourage the use of occupant restraints, adherence to the speed limit, and sober driving.

Suspect Eric Rojo and the guns and cash he possessed when arrested. Photos by Concord PD

According to a post on the Concord Police Facebook page Friday, Dec. 22, “Last night around 10:30 pm, Special Enforcement Team officers found a suspicious vehicle parked in a parking lot on Lacey Lane. They contacted the male in the driver’s seat, Eric Rojo, and female occupant who were drinking alcohol in the car. Officers developed probable cause to search the car and found a loaded handgun.

SET obtained a search warrant for the male’s residence in Antioch and found a loaded short barreled assault rifle, another loaded handgun, over an ounce of cocaine, and evidence of cocaine sales. Rojo was booked at CPD and later into county jail.”

Sheriff David Livingston, center, speaks with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (to his left) and staff during a tour of the West County Detention Facility in Richmond on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Herald file photo.

Refutes claims made by illegal alien female inmates against West County Detention Facility

The West County Detention Facility. Herald filed photo

The Office of the Sheriff has completed its investigation into complaints raised by several Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) female detainees at the West County Detention Facility (WCDF) in Richmond, California. The complaints were first reported in a local newspaper. The Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation. Investigators interviewed 110 witnesses, with audio recordings and translators where necessary, and viewed hundreds of hours of video surveillance recordings. They also examined log books, computer entries and other evidence. (See related article)

The investigation found that nearly all of the complaints were unfounded and unsubstantiated. Claims of being “locked down” for 23 hours a day were false. The most time any ICE detainee was confined to their dormitory room was one hour and 24 minutes. These “lock downs” are commonly done for facility counts or for administrative reasons. At WCDF the detainees have keys to their rooms and free use of common bathroom facilities.

Sheriff David O. Livingston. From CCCSheriff website.

In one example, the person who complained in the article of being confined to her room for 23 hours was in fact confined for several days in a room with a full toilet and sink. She was confined in such a manner for disciplinary purposes after she assaulted another detainee.

Regarding the use of “red” biohazard bags for toilet needs, there was no evidence that any detainee was forced to use the bags in that manner. In very few cases detainees did use the bags for that purpose in violation of policy. Biohazard bag distribution is now limited to those detainees who are ill or have other medical needs. All inmates are free to use the bathrooms at any time, and even during “lock down” periods of approximately one hour, by notifying a Deputy Sheriff by using the call button in their rooms.

There were two complaints alleging limited access to healthcare that also appear to be unfounded based on detainee interviews. However, Contra Costa Health Services will be reviewing those specific complaints.

“Consistent with independent ICE inspections, we found that the alleged policy violations were largely unfounded,” said Sheriff David Livingston. “In fact, many detainees told us they are well treated at the West County Detention Facility.”

Sheriff Livingston added, “Some issues were identified, such as the use of profanity by a staff member or the quicker replacement of detainees’ room keys when they are lost or damaged. We will use this opportunity to improve wherever we can.”

The investigation will now be provided to the California Attorney General as Sheriff Livingston promised he would do.

A fire possibly started by an arson that burned the building at 1205 A Street was one of six fires in Antioch north of Highway 4, Thursday night, Dec. 21. Photo by ConFire.

By Allen Payton

A series of six fires on the north side of Antioch Thursday night are believed to be the acts of an arsonist, according to Antioch Police.

The public was alerted to the fires late Thursday night by the Public Information Officer for the Contra Costa Fire Protection District George Laing

Posted at 10:53 p.m. on the ConFire PIO Twitter account was the message, “Series of fire in #Antioch , 5 building on Madill st and 1 on A street. All fires now under control. All structures abandoned.”

Then at 11:00 p.m. Laing posted “#Antioch fires- A street (with photo)” and “All #Antioch fires under control.”

The photo provided shows the building at 1205 A Street on fire.

Asked if an arson investigation had begun, Antioch Police Corporal Shawn Morin said, “the arson investigators responded and took over the investigations. It will be arson investigations with the Contra Costa Fire Department that will be handling everything. We don’t have anything to do with it at this point. We don’t have any leads, we don’t have any type of information of who or what or how these things were started at all.”

A call to ConFire PIO Laing was not returned prior to publication.

Please check back later for details.

Eight alleged East County gang members who are suspects in a variety of crimes were arrested on Oct. 27. Photos by FBI Northern CA District

Arrested on Oct. 27th

By Allen Payton

FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett of the Northern California District office and Interim Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced on Wednesday the Oct. 27th arrests of eight East County gang members on murder, conspiracy to commit murder, pimping and firearms charges.

Bennett and Becton were joined by Pittsburg Police Chief Brian Addington and representatives from the Richmond Police Department, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, San Francisco SWAT, El Cerrito Police Department, Contra Costa County Probation Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, San Pablo Police Department, Concord Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

Known as Operation Klap It Out, the joint effort resulted in the arrests of the suspects and the seizure of a variety of firearms during the search warrants, according to FBI Public Information Officer Cameron Polan.

Seven suspects and alleged members of the Klap Sh**/Broad Day gang from Antioch and Pittsburg were identified as Darnell Keyon Lash age 24, D’Vance Jaquez Sumblin age 20, Javelle Cooksey age 19, Lester Gene Curry age 21 (as of Tuesday), Ezell Tommy Jenkins age 19, Dasheid Keyonta Lash age 21, and Larry Darnell Goines, Jr. age 32. An eighth suspect gang member, Giovante Boyd was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for murder, but was not included in the complaint filed by the DA’s office against the other seven.

According to the complaint they were charged with the following eight counts: conspiracy to commit a crime – murder, carrying a loaded firearm/street gang, possession of firearm by a felon – prior(s), dissuading a witness by force or threat, conspiracy to commit a crime – second degree burglary, carrying a loaded firearm/street gang, conspiracy to commit a crime – pimping, and street terrorism.

“All eight are currently in a preliminary hearing which has been ongoing since Monday,” Polan added.

12/21/17 UPDATE: Asked about the delay in announcing the arrests she replied, “The delayed announcement was due to new leads that were presented as a result of the search warrants executed. The investigators did not want to jeopardize the new information with a public announcement.”

See the charges filed against the seven suspects, here: Charges filed vs Operation Klap It Out gang suspects

The firearms seized during Operation Klap It Out.

The graduating class of the Antioch Police 3rd Citizens Academy with Chief Tammany Books (in suit, back center) The class included Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock (center, 2nd row) and Economic Development Commissioner Tim McCall (front row, 2nd from right). Photo by APD

By Allen Payton

A post on the Antioch Police Department’s Facebook page on Thursday, Dec. 14 announced the graduation of the 3rd Citizens Academy class on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“What an amazing group of citizens! In 13 weeks we have made some great friendships. We hope you learned a lot from our officers and you gave us some great perspective as well. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to learn about your police department, your staff, and the many different ways we serve you. With this class complete it begs the question….Are you up for the challenge of our next Citizens Academy?”

Graduate Tim McCall, an Antioch landscape contractor and member of the Economic Development Commission shared about his experience in the academy.

“The Citizens Police Academy was an amazing opportunity to get to see what APD does on a daily basis, how well trained and what real genuine people our officers are,” he said. “Their job is long and hard, and many serve in several positions.”

“I am grateful for the understanding of our police department and for the many relationships I made,” McCall continued. “Too many people make assumptions without true understanding and this course helped me to gain a great knowledge of what it means to serve in the APD. Their job is dangerous and unpredictable, and our officers do it with a great deal of pride.”

“I am very proud of our department and believe they are truly the best,” he added. “I recommend this course to all citizens of Antioch. You will not regret the time you spend.”

McCall also provided a description of the ride-along he participated in with an Antioch police officer, one night in an Oct. 21 email to Lt. Tarra Mendes who runs the academy:

“On Friday night I had the special opportunity of riding along with a young officer who has only been a cop for 2-1/2 years. Jake…is just 33 years old.

1st off as we left, Jake, known as Y4, asked me to call dispatch on the radio and let them know we were heading on a call. He told me what to say and I repeated it perfectly. I sounded very cool. No response from dispatch… 5 seconds later a message was typed to him asking if everything was ok?  This very alert dispatcher knew I wasn’t Jake and was checking on his safety. As Jake and I were having a good laugh at this, I was amazed at the awareness this dispatcher showed. It was a lite, funny way to start off a busy night and set the stage for the true professionalism I was about to experience.

As we left on the 1st call of the night, the 1st thing I noticed was the awareness and admirable multitasking abilities Jake showed. As he drove to the call he was checking suspicious cars along the route, never wasting a minute of ‘doing police work’.  He made himself familiar with all the specifics of the call we were going to and all this time Jake was teaching me what he was doing. I was amazed.

As the night went on and I watched Jake interact with the people from each call there was one thought that kept entering my mind. THIS is true ‘community policing’. I am not sure how he did it but he remained courteous, soft spoken, smiling and showed a genuine concern for the the people he interacted with. Honestly, some I wanted to tell to shut up. All of this time Jake maintained control and his actions brought about respect for him from the people he was dealing with. He raised his voice only once through the night which brought the guy into compliance and then immediately lowered it again. I witnessed a child in a very unfortunate situation smile at Jake like she was in love as he took a moment to smile and talk with her, give her a sticker and let her know cops are good people. As we left we discussed how she was the real victim of this situation.  For a young cop like Jake, I was very impressed. He showed maturity and integrity well beyond his years as an active cop. His actions this evening was a gold star on the city on Antioch chest.

If I have one critique of Jake it would be that he should take more bathroom breaks. He tried to take one during the middle of my ride, but the bathroom was being used. He told me we didn’t have time and we left. I was aware even if he didn’t remember that 3 hours later he still never took that break. Jake, go to the bathroom, the city will survive.

In conclusion, I am very impressed and feel fortunate that Jakes beat is where I live. The city of Antioch and APD should also feel fortunate to have Jake working to make us safe. I honestly feel he has a genuine concern for people and a great passion for his job. Thank you, Jake for your service.

Please do share this with Jake, his supervisors and feel free to read it to the Citizens Academy.

Sincerely,

Tim”

To inquire about the next Antioch Police Citizens Academy, contact Lt. Mendes at (925) 779-6900.

Antioch Police Special Weapons And Tactics Team. Photo by APD

By Captain Tony Morefield, Antioch Police Support Services Division

On December 15, 2017 at 11:04 AM, an Antioch Police Officer responded to an apartment complex on Hudson Court on a report of an unknown male trespassing and sleeping in his vehicle. When the officer approached the suspect, the suspect fled on foot into a neighboring apartment complex in the 3900 block of Delta Fair Blvd. The suspect, a 36-year-old Antioch resident, who fled was identified to have a warrant for his arrest for a Domestic Violence, Burglary and Assault with a Deadly Weapon case out of Antioch. As the suspect fled, he forced his way into an apartment on Delta Fair Blvd. threatening the residents that he had a gun.

The residents were able to escape the apartment leaving the suspect barricaded inside. Antioch PD Patrol Officers were then able to quickly surround the apartment and evacuate all of the neighboring units. After multiple attempts to order the suspect out of the apartment over the loud speaker, the Antioch PD SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Team were called in and took over the scene.

After a several hours-long stand-off with the suspect, he was located by SWAT Team members in one of the neighboring apartment units after he had tunneled through a narrow, ceiling crawl space and broke through the ceiling into that unit. The suspect was arrested without further incident and taken to the County Jail in Martinez to be booked on his warrant and additional charges from today’s incident.

No further information will be released at this time.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Recently the Antioch Police have had inquiries from citizens who have received calls from persons claiming to be with the courts or Sheriff’s Office and threatening them with jail time if they don’t pay a fine for missing jury duty. Please be mindful and don’t fall victim. Below is information from the Contra Costa County Courts website (www.cc-courts.org) regarding this scam. If you do receive one of these calls, please follow up with the Jury Commissioner’s office at the number listed below.

Public Notice – Jury Scam Alert

Past or prospective jurors are NEVER contacted by phone regarding failure to serve jury duty. All communication regarding failure to serve jury duty is done via U.S. mail. No court jury staff or Contra Costa County Sheriff’s staff ask past or prospective jurors to pay a fine or provide financial details including, credit card numbers, bank account, social security numbers or other personal information. Please do not provide this type of information to anyone.

If you receive a telephone call, from someone identifying himself or herself as a court employee or an employee of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department regarding a failure to appear for jury service, THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION, OR PAY THEM ANY MONEY!

If you are contacted, please call the Jury Commissioner’s office at 925-608-1000.