Fellow motorcyclists leave scene before CHP arrives

Saturday night, August 26, 2017 at about 8:28 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a traffic collision on the southbound lanes of SR-160 at the Wilbur Avenue on-ramp. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, the male rider of the motorcycle had been ejected into the lanes of traffic on SR-160 and hit by another vehicle. The male rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. The southbound lanes of SR-160 were closed for approximately two hours for the collision investigation while traffic was diverted to the Wilbur Avenue off-ramp.

In the initial investigation and with the help of several witnesses, it appears that the solo male driver of the motorcycle (a 54-year-old male from Brentwood) was traveling on the Wilbur Avenue on-ramp and entering southbound SR-160 with several other motorcyclists. It appears the male rider drove over the gore point on the on-ramp to enter SR-160 and collided with the curb, subsequently ejecting him from his motorcycle. He was catapulted into the lanes of southbound traffic where he was struck by another vehicle, while his motorcycle continued into the lanes of traffic as well and was also struck by another vehicle. The rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The other vehicles that were involved in this collision stopped and remained at the scene. But the reported other motorcyclists riding with the 54-year-old man left the scene prior to CHP and emergency personnel arrival and have not been located.

At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision but it’s still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it on Wilbur Avenue, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980, and Investigating Officer T. Johnson.

By Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Special Operations Unit

On July 26, 2017, an Antioch family came home to find their house in the 3800 block of Oakley Road in Antioch had been burglarized. The victims contacted the Antioch Police Department in order to report the crime. The Antioch Patrol Officer who initially contacted the victims and started the investigation was able to locate and develop valuable leads.

An Antioch Police Detective took over the investigation and used these leads to identify two suspects. The first suspect was identified as 27-year-old Edwina Grunseth. The second suspect was identified as 27-year-old Max Wolfe.

The Detective uncovered additional evidence that led to a search warrant for Max Wolfe’s home in the city of Citrus Heights. Antioch Detectives served the search warrant at the home in Citrus Heights and found numerous pieces of property stolen from the Oakley Road home.

This case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges on Edwina Grunseth and Max Wolfe: PC 460(a) 1st degree residential burglary, PC 530.5 Identity theft, and PC 368 Elder abuse.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Tom Smith with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6876.

From Concord to Martinez then ends in Antioch

At about 1:51 PM Tuesday afternoon, August 22, 2017 a Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff pulled-up behind a stolen truck on westbound Highway 4 near Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver did not yield and led Deputies on a pursuit, which went to Alhambra Avenue in Martinez and then back eastbound on Highway 4 to Antioch.

The CHP and Antioch Police Department assisted the Office of the Sheriff during the pursuit.

The suspects were in a blue pickup truck with a white-topped shell, exited at the Hillcrest Avenue offramp and drove north into a residential neighborhood. The stolen truck collided with a fence on the 900 block of 13th Street in Antioch. The driver and the passenger fled on foot and ran to the back of homes along Lake Alhambra.

A police K-9 from the Sheriff’s Office apprehended the passenger, while Antioch Police Officers arrested the driver.

The driver is identified as 22-year-old Terry Nichols. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous charges – possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. Nichols is being held in lieu of $90,000 bail.

The passenger is identified as 19-year-old Mason Leonard. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on possession of stolen property, vandalism, and resisting charges. Leonard is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

To watch video of the pursuit and arrest of at least one of the suspects on KTVU Channel 2, click here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch police officers responded to Highway 4 at the Somersville Road overpass to assist with a distraught man who was threatening to jump. Officer Leon Mendes, a trained hostage and crisis negotiator, responded and after several minutes of interacting with the man, was able to talk the subject out of jumping.

The man was detained on the freeway by officers and sent to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. We thank anyone, who was briefly inconvenienced, for their patience while we worked to safely resolve this potentially difficult situation. There were fortunately no injuries resulting from this incident to the man involved or any of the involved officers.

 

Returns two police management staff back to full-time police work

By Allen Payton

At their August 8 meeting, amid some organized opposition and cat calls from the audience, the Antioch City Council voted 4-1 to approve the hiring of a new, full-time Animal Services Manager for the Antioch shelter using funds from Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) for the first year. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe was the only council member to vote no.

Police Chief Tammany Brooks provided background on the need for the position.

The Animal Shelter Manager will be “equivalent of a captain. He or she will answer directly to me….and will be well versed in animal operations,” he said. “This person will be a full-time manager of the animal shelter.”

“Currently we have an animal shelter supervisor…who has taken on the tasks of multiple people,” Brooks explained. “But, I believe we need management oversight above the supervisor…from a long-term standpoint, to bring stability and structure to the animal shelter.”

“Accept the funding from ARF through Maddie’s Fund for one year,” he recommended to the council. “The position will be filled right around January. That will leave $80,000 to $90,000 for the city to come up with for the 2018-19 fiscal year.”

Thorpe asked, “when we accept these types of gifts there are there stipulations? Can we only use it for a management position?”

“One of the recommendations of the Grand Jury report is that we hire an executive director,” Brooks responded. “I will take out the police oversight which will take out about $75,000.”

“This money is earmarked specifically for an animal shelter manager,” he added.

In response to a question by Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, Brooks said the surgery suite will be open at the end of September, of this year.

Before the council took their vote, members of the public spoke, most in opposition to the chief’s recommendation, due to their concerns with ARF.

Long-time Antioch animal advocate, Barbara Sobalvarro said, “it is hard to wrap my arms around. When we formed 38 years ago, Friends of Animal Services would have loved what you’re doing, tonight.”

“If we have a possibility of working with people who are giving their time to volunteer their time to the animals…and have the kind of shelter all of us would love…and have it for less money…I’m asking you to not rush this,” she explained.

“This is about ARF. This is their second partnership with Antioch,” Sobalvarro stated. “The first time they left nine months after they started. This is the second manager position we will have. Please, this has been too sudden…something that seems too be good to be true probably is. All that glitters is not gold. But the hearts of our volunteers are golden.”

Thorpe then asked, “if we accept their funds, are we then on the line to fund this position, moving forward?”

Brooks responded, “ARF…will fund this position for 12 months. $75,000 of…what is currently being spent in the Antioch Animal Services will go toward that position. So the city will be on the line for between $71,000 and $103,000 after the funds are realized. “So, I’m curious,” Thorpe said, “How will that impact the budget? Is that something we anticipated?”

“The amount of funding you’re talking about would take you into the 2020 budget,” City Manager Ron Bernal explained.

“OK. Thank you,” said Thorpe. “So, we would budget for that budget cycle.”

Tiscareno was next to comment stating, “I appreciate everyone’s beliefs. But, we do have to make a decision for the future of the shelter. We do utilitize two police officer positions.”

“A lieutenant and a captain,” Brooks interjected.

“That oversee this position, that can do the work of the police,” Tiscareno continued. “That encourages me at this point. I want to see the police department do what they’re supposed to do. That’s what we’ve heard criticism of over the years. We can have a full function operation. I understand where the volunteers are coming from. But I believe we need to bring this into a business type atmosphere.”

“I’m going to speak in favor of this resolution,” he concluded.

Ogorchock asked, “is there going to be any saving?”

“Yes,” Brooks responded. “So, we have to contract out…for spay and neuter. When we have our own DVM (veterinarian) in place…that will save money. And we can contract out the service to others in…East County and generating a little revenue to the city, and reducing the animal population.”

“I appreciate the passion on both sides. This is going to be a working manager. Not just someone sitting behind a desk.

Brooks then offered additional explanation.

“If you were going to look at similar animal shelters in other cities…two cities that would be somewhat comparable is Berkeley and Hayward. Both of them have a manager,” he said. ‘You’re talking about a $1 million a year company and we don’t have a manager. We need someone who is well versed in animal operations.”

Ogorchock responded by saying, “I want to see more people in there working with the animals. There could be the savings where it could be no cost to the budget.”

“We’re kind of missing the policy and procedure piece, and someone to oversee the budget, how much we’re spending here…here’s a policy we’re missing here, or a procedural piece,” said Councilwoman Monica Wilson. “Is that the case with this person?”

Brooks responded with, “These are things an animal services manager will be doing instead of me.”

Thorpe said, “I don’t think I’ve ever met Monika (Helgemo, the animal services supervisor).” He asked how this would impact her position.

Brooks explained that she is a supervisor who was given the management responsibilities when the manager left.

“That’s when we brought in the oversight of the police department,” he stated. “This will free up Monika to do things our volunteers are talking about. So, this position assumes some of the responsibility that the police officers were.”

Mayor Sean Wright concluded the council discussion by stating, “six months is a long time. Six months ago is when we looked at the opportunity to work together. I’m excited to hear. I took a tour of the animal shelter a couple months ago. I think you’ve answered all of our questions, tonight.”

As Tiscareno read his motion, members of the public made cat-calls from the audience. Ogorchock seconded the motion and it passed 4-1. As Wright read the results of the vote, a woman yelled “Thank you, Thorpe.”

More Debate After The Council Meeting

Following the meeting, a discussion outside of the council chambers ensued between shelter volunteers and Mayor Wright.

“A new manager is not the answer,” said one woman who chose to not be identified. “We need more players not another coach. We need people in there actually who will love the animals and be kind to them.”

The no-kill rate has gone from 76% to 98% in recent months, one woman shared.

“Antioch is the first no-kill shelter in Contra Costa County,” another woman stated.

“All they’re going to do is kill more animals,” said yet another unidentified volunteer. “In four days. ARF has what is called a pathway. It takes time. An animal only goes up for adoption for 14 days then they kill them.”

“They don’t have the staffing,” was one volunteer’s complaint. “ARF is not providing a vet or a registered vet tech regularly since beginning of May.”

One suggestion made by a volunteer unhappy with the council’s decision was that “Petaluma is willing to take over our shelter.”

Wright responded to the four women, saying “This position has not been hired We can change our mind. I’ll talk to Petaluma.”

“It can’t run without volunteers,” said one of the women. “They’re ready to walk.”

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Saturday, August 19, 2017 at approximately 12:32 pm, Antioch Officers responded with Medical Personnel for a reported vehicle collision in the area of Contra Loma Blvd and the Eastbound Highway 4 Off-ramp.

On arrival, a small sedan was found to have exited the eastbound Highway 4 off-ramp and crossed Contra Loma Blvd. The vehicle had continued eastbound through the intersection and over the sidewalk without stopping. It went through a chain link fence and struck a utility box before coming to rest in a vacant lot adjacent to the eastbound Highway 4 onramp and Kelly Moore Paints. Medical personnel arrived and began treating the occupants of the vehicle. All were transported to area hospitals for treatment. It was learned all suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to Contra Costa Fire Protection Department Captain George Laing, three people were injured, one was transported to the hospital by helicopter, and the store sustained some damage.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the driver possibly had a medical emergency before colliding with another vehicle on Highway 4 just west of the eastbound off-ramp for Contra Loma Blvd. The driver was still suffering this emergency as he came down the ramp and was unable to control or stop his vehicle. It does not appear that alcohol or drugs were the cause of this accident. The driver of the vehicle struck on Highway 4 was present at the scene and was not injured.

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

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Corporal Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at approximately 8:15 PM, Antioch Police Officers along with the Contra Costa County Fire Department responded to a residence located on the 4600 Block of Durness Court for a report of a two-year-old female that fell in the family swimming pool.

Upon officers’ arrival, the child was unresponsive. Life-saving efforts were administered by Antioch Police Officers and Contra Costa County Fire Department personnel. The child was transported to a local hospital where all efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison

In April, 2016, the Concord Police Department investigated a report of a child molestation that occurred at La Clinica dental office on Sierra Road in the City of Concord. The eight-year-old female victim told officers that a male dental assistant sexually assaulted her and that he video recorded the incident while he committed the crime. Special Victims Unit Detectives were notified and quickly identified the suspect as 24-year-old Alejandro Saro, from Antioch, CA.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed patients’ records from four different dental offices where Saro had worked which led to the identification of four other female victims between the ages of 5 and 13 years old. Saro was employed as a dental assistant at La Clinica Monument in March of 2015. He was also employed by Patino Orthodontics and Western Dental, both in Concord – and a branch of Western Dental in Antioch.

The investigation also uncovered evidence that all five of the victims had been assaulted by Saro while they were under sedation for various dental procedures. Saro was arrested by detectives and the case was turned over to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office. The DA’s Office charged Saro with multiple counts of child molestation. He remained in-custody with bail set at $8.1 million dollars.

Saro was due to appear in court this week to stand trial, however, SVU detectives received notification from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office late Sunday night that Saro had pled guilty to five counts of felony child molestation; one count for each victim.

It is not uncommon for perpetrators who commit such horrendous crimes to reach a plea bargain agreement rather than face all of the evidence against them in front of a jury of peers. Based on the thorough investigation conducted by the SVU detectives and the mounds of evidence they uncovered and piled against Saro, including numerous videos, it is presumed that he voluntarily accepted responsibility for his actions with this agreement. Saro will now appear in front of a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge for sentencing on Friday, September 22, 2017, in Martinez, where he will be sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison.