By Allen Payton

According to Antioch Police Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 3:12 p.m. officers were dispatched to a robbery that had just occurred at the U.S. Bank branch located inside the Raley’s Store at 3632 Lone Tree Way.

“It was reported to us a male wearing a hood and gloves, and armed with a handgun, jumped the counter at the bank. He robbed one of the tellers of an undisclosed amount of cash,” Furhmann said. “The suspect then fled in a red, Dodge pickup truck. He got into the passenger side of the vehicle, which was recovered a few blocks away and reported to be stolen out of Pittsburg.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is asked to call the Antioch Police non-emergency line at 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Ron Jewelers inside Somersville Towne Center was robbed by four suspects, Wed. morning, July 19, 2017. Photo by Allen Payton

One of the glass cases that was smashed by the thieves. Photos of cases by witness who chose not to be identified.

By Acting Sgt. Shawn Morin #5227, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau & Allen Payton, Publisher

On July 19, 2017 at approximately 11:20 a.m., Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the Somersville Towne Center at 2550 Somersville Road for an unknown disturbance. Upon the Officers’ arrival, they learned that four male suspects entered the Ron Jewelers store located inside the east end of the mall,  near the Macy’s store, and smashed the glass cases with metal tools. The suspects were able to flee the store on foot with stolen jewelry and left the mall in a silver Infiniti sedan.

Two witnesses, who requested to not be identified, said they saw four men run to the east end of the mall, and out the south exit doors “toward the Smart & Final” store, located on the outside of the mall.

The value of the jewelry taken has yet to be determined. The four suspects were dressed in similar clothing.

“They had masks and dark glasses, and yellow construction-type, safety reflector clothing,” one witness said.

The same witness heard the sounds and ran to the jewelry store.

“I heard the cracking sound. So, I knew something was going on there,” the witness said. “I rushed down there and the people from that side were running here,” in the witness’ direction. “They had metal hammers and were smashing the glass cases. I saw them breaking the glass and stealing the jewelry,” the witness continued. “They had a gun. I think it was a toy, paper spray gun. But it looked real. I was afraid, so I ran away and called 9-11. I told my friend to call 9-11 from his store phone.”

Another smashed glass jewelry case.

Asked how long the suspects were in the store, the witness responded, “more than five minutes.”

“The police came very fast,” the witness added.

A store owner said the four suspects entered the mall through from the Macy’s store.

During the robbery, an employee was pepper sprayed and was later transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Somersville Towne Center Marketing Manager Shannon Skinner offered the following statement:

“Today around 11:30 am we had an incident occur inside a store in the mall. The incident is currently being investigated by the Antioch Police Department; therefore, we cannot comment any further. However, the mall remains open.”

But, the Ron Jewelers store was closed, with the glass cases covered, the glass had been cleaned up and a commercial size vacuum was sitting on the floor inside, at about 5:30 p.m. The store is expected to reopen by Friday, according to a man who works at one of the kiosks, nearby.

Somersville Towne Center is the only enclosed and air-conditioned mall in Eastern Contra Costa County.

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

Inside the Ron Jewelers store, late Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Allen Payton

By Captain S. Albanese, Pittsburg Police Department

On Wednesday, July 19th at 3:00 in the afternoon, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the Baskin Robbins on Century Boulevard, in regards to a reported shooting. When Officers arrived on scene they located a 43-year-old male suffering from several gunshot wounds.  Pittsburg Police Officers immediately began performing CPR on the victim for life saving efforts.  The victim, a resident of Bethel Island, was transported to Sutter Delta Medical Center and succumbed to his injuries. The Investigations Division responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Based on initial information, it appears the victim and suspect knew each other. Detectives are currently contacting witnesses and obtaining additional statements.

The Pittsburg Police Department asks anyone with additional information to please contact their Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

Screenshots from KRON4 News video of Highway 4 crash between Antioch and Brentwood, Sat., July 15, 2017.

Car stolen in Concord

By Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa CHP

Saturday night, July 15, 2017 at about 8:07 p.m., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a head-on collision at HWY4 at Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, with the report of injuries. Upon CHP arrival, it was learned that multiple parties had suffered major injuries. It was determined that one of the vehicles involved was a reported stolen vehicle out of Concord from the same day, a 1994 gold Honda Accord – License#7RAE887 – and that …the gold Honda was traveling the wrong way on HWY4. Two parties had to be air-lifted to trauma centers.

A 2015 Honda Odyssey van with seven occupants was traveling westbound on HWY4, just west of Sand Creek Road. The stolen gold Honda Accord entered the westbound lanes of HWY4, traveling wrong way-eastbound in the westbound lanes-from Lone Tree Way. The suspect vehicle was reported at a high rate of speed and passing multiple vehicles in the wrong way direction until ultimately colliding head-on with the Honda Odyssey. HWY4 was briefly shut down for the investigation.

Injured people from the 2015 Honda Odyssey are listed as follows: The driver, a 30-year-old Asian male adult, out of San Francisco, sustained moderate injuries. Passengers: a 34yr old Asian female adult, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A female baby, 1yr old-out of San Francisco, just for precaution. A 61-year-old Asian Adult female, out of San Francisco, sustained major injuries but is in stable condition. A 2-year-old Asian Female baby, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A 72-year-old Asian Adult female, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A 10-year-old Asian female juvenile, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. All injured parties from the minivan were taken to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.

The suspect vehicle’s passenger, a 22-year-old white male adult, out of Oakley, was transported to Eden hospital in Dublin with major injuries but is in stable condition.

The suspect driver, 24-year-old Rafael Duarte (DOB-11-16-92), out of Oakley, was transported to John Muir Walnut Creek for minor injuries. Upon his release from the hospital, Duarte was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for the following charges; Felony DUI, possession and driving of a stolen vehicle, unlicensed drivers license, no vehicle insurance, and driving wrong way on the highway causing injury.

Asked about the victims of the collision, Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer for Contra Costa CHP said, “they’re all in stable condition. The passenger in the gold Honda had major injuries, but they’re not life threatening.”

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or has information regarding it, please contact CHP-Contra Costa in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

See video of the crash scene at KRON4.com.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Sergeant Dee, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 7:20 p.m., the Antioch Police Department received a 911 call of a 3-year-old toddler, who was found in a swimming pool unresponsive at a home in the 4000 block of Rocky Point Drive. CPR instructions were provided and both medical and police units arrived within minutes of the initial call. The child was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where further life-saving efforts failed to revive the child. The case is still under investigation. Based on preliminary information and investigation it appears the incident was accidental in nature.

No further information concerning this incident will be released at this time. Any further inquiries into the status of this incident should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line (925) 779-6874.

Zepp Crouchet, age 42 of El Cerrito, deceased. Photo from Antioch Police.

By Lt. D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Unit

The deceased suspect in the shooting death of a Valero gas station clerk on Monday night in Antioch, has been identified as 42-year-old Zepp Crouchet of El Cerrito. A patrol officer shot Crouchet in the torso, who fled the scene on foot and was not initially located.

Just prior to the patrol officer intervening, the suspect had beaten and shot the victim causing fatal injuries. The firearm used by the suspect was recovered at the scene. The victim was the gas station clerk and has been identified as 57-year-old Mohammad Jawad Ataie.

Tuesday morning, the suspect was located deceased near his vehicle which was parked in the 100 block of W. 20th Street in Antioch. It appears that the suspect fled the scene of the robbery and homicide in his vehicle and stopped at that location for unknown reasons.

Crouchet received a Contra Costa County Adult School Diploma in 2006 from the County Board  of Education.  http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/supe/06mtgs/m060118.pdf

In a comment on his Facebook page on Feb. 5 of this year, he wrote, “man you gotta come see all 7 of my new whips bro i been working for the ironworkers many yrs now im a Welder best job you can ever have the pay is cap at 42 hr…god is good.”

According to The Mercury News, “in 2004, Crouchet was charged with three counts of robbery, one count of burglary, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2006, he took a plea deal and was sentenced to six years in prison, with around two years credit for time served.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Detective James Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6922. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Mohammad aka “Jawad” Ataie, the victim in Monday’s robbery and shooting death. Photo from GoFundMe page.

Officer shot him in torso; police identify victim

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

On Monday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 8:26 PM, an Antioch Police Department patrol officer observed an armed robbery occurring inside the Valero Gas Station at 1801 Hillcrest Avenue. The patrol officer intervened and confronted the armed suspect. The patrol officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect striking the suspect in the torso. The 42-year-old, black male suspect fled the scene on foot and was not initially located. Just prior to the patrol officer intervening, the suspect had beaten and shot the victim causing fatal injuries. The firearm used by the suspect was recovered at the scene. The victim was the gas station clerk and has been identified as 57-year-old Mohammad Ataie.

The following morning, the suspect was located deceased near his vehicle which was parked in the 100 block of W. 20th Street in Antioch. It appears that the suspect fled the scene of the robbery/homicide in his vehicle and stopped at this location for unknown reasons.

The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney are currently investigating the incident. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time as investigators are still attempting to locate his family. The investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released, at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Detective James Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6922. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, “Jawad, a 57 year old husband and father of 3, was working as a cashier when a robbery took place. Jawad was pistol whipped and shot twice in the back by the gunman. He died within hours of the attack…Jawad leaves behind his wife of 25 years and his three kids who have to pay for unexpected funeral costs and everyday living expenses as they adjust to their new life. He was a loving man who worked everyday, Sunday through Saturday, to provide for his family as much as he could and never complained once. Please donate if you can and help this family with their financial obligations so they can move on to the healing process.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

On Monday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 8:26 PM, a robbery and homicide occurred at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and E. 18th Street. An officer involved shooting by an Antioch Police Department patrol officer occurred at the scene of the robbery and homicide. The homicide was not a result of the officer involved shooting. The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney are currently investigating the incident. The investigation is in its early stages and no further information will be released, 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.