By Acting Sgt. Shawn Morin #5227, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 20, 2017 at approximately 1:46 p.m., Antioch Police Officers and Emergency Medical Personnel were dispatched to the area of Wilbur and Viera Avenues for the report of a motorcycle that had collided with a pole. Upon police arrival, medical and fire personnel were already on scene and tending to both of the riders.

The 68-year-old male rider was transported to an area hospital where he did not survive his injuries. The 66-year-old female passenger was transported to an area hospital where she was admitted in critical condition. Antioch Police Traffic Collision Investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

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

Since Nov. 1, 2015, there have been 87 shootings on Bay Area freeways in which eight people died – all of them in Contra Costa County – and 39 others were injured, according to the CHP. So far, this year there have been 21 shootings.

The Department of Transportation has pledged between $1.5- to $2-million for the installation of high-tech surveillance equipment on Highway 4 between west and east Contra Costa County.

Supervisor Federal Glover, chair of the Board of Supervisors, made this statement Monday:

“I’m happy to see that the State of California’s Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies agree with me and City of Pittsburg on how to stem the shootings on Highway 4 in Contra Costa County,” he said. “Last year, I dedicated money from the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund to install cameras on Highway 4 from Bay Point to Antioch. Pittsburg found money in its budget to increase the funding needed to install high tech surveillance equipment along the same stretch of road.

“With the additional funding from the state, we can make the rest of Highway 4 safer all the way to west county by using cameras and shot locators,” he continued. “Criminal elements will no longer be able to hide when they commit their deadly activities on our public roadway.”

It was a coordinated effort among elected leaders in the county. According to a Mercury News article, last year, after the Pittsburg paid to install cameras pointing at Highway 4 in that city, “Hercules Mayor Dan Romero has led a campaign by the mayors of several Contra Costa County cities, along with Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson, to seek state funding to install law enforcement-friendly surveillance cameras freeway onramps and offramps throughout the county, and to upgrade existing Caltrans cameras so police can use them.”

By Corporal Ted Chang #4362, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 6:35 pm, an armed, masked male suspect went to the US Bank branch located inside Raley’s at 3632 Lone Tree Way. The suspect yelled at the tellers while pointing a pistol at them. A teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then left the bank and fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a black male adult, unknown age, tall with a thin build. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, orange gloves, and a black mask.

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.

New Antioch Police Chief, Tammany Brooks

It was announced today, that Antioch City Manager, Ron Bernal, named Tammany Brooks as the Antioch Chief of Police effective May 14, 2017. Brooks has been serving in the capacity of Interim Chief since the retirement of former Chief Allan Cantando.

Chief Brooks has been a dedicated member of the Antioch Police Department for 22 years. Bernal noted that as an Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, Brooks has served in virtually every capacity within the Department, emphasizing that this appointment is critical to Antioch’s continued growth and success.

“Chief Brooks is the right person and has what it takes to successfully lead the talented men and women of the Antioch Police Department. With over 20 years of loyal service to the City, he has proven himself as a team player who is committed to taking an outstanding department and making it even better,” Bernal said. “His integrity and no nonsense approach to the job are just two of the reasons Chief Brooks is so highly respected among his peers and the community. Elevating Chief Brooks from within our own ranks is a testimony to the quality of personnel we have within our own ranks. Rising up from humble beginnings, Chief Brooks epitomizes what can happen through hard work, commitment and the pursuit of excellence.”

Chief Brooks is also the City’s first African American Police Chief.

Brooks holds a Masters Degree in Leadership, as well as being a graduate of distinguished law enforcement programs, including the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) of Boston and the FBI National Academy.

In his online message to the community on the Antioch Police Department webpage, following his appointment as Interim Police Chief last month, Brooks wrote:

It is my firm belief that the best way to improve the quality of life and make Antioch a safe and thriving community for all is through a collaborative partnership with the citizens who live, work, and play in this great city.

While I am extremely proud and confident in the abilities of all the members of this department, I realize that in order to truly bring about positive, long-term results, the police department cannot do it alone.  As President John F. Kennedy said, “The level of crime in a city is in direct proportion to the will of its citizens and law enforcement officers who tolerate it.”  We need your help.

One of my goals is to enhance the level of communication between the Department and the community.

This partnership is not an option for me…it must remain a reality.  Together, we are a stronger body with a shared vision and mutual desire to make positive and real changes that reflect the true values of our remarkable community.

By Acting Sergeant Shawn Morin #5227, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On May 10, 2017 at approximately 12:50 PM, an unknown age, armed, masked male suspect entered Safeway located at 3365 Deer Valley Road and went to the Wells Fargo Bank located inside. The suspect demanded money from the bank employees and then fled the store with cash. The suspect left the area in a vehicle that was waiting outside the store.

The suspect is described as an unknown age black male adult, tall with a thin build. The suspect was wearing all dark clothing, hooded sweatshirt or jacket and a black mask. The vehicle was described as a gold or tan colored SUV with paper license plates.

Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or the vehicle leaving the area is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Sketch of shooting suspect.

By Detective A. Gonzalez #4336, Antioch Police Investigations Division Violent Crimes Unit

On Sunday, April 2, 2017, at approximately 8:00 PM, a black male was shot on K Street near West 8th Street in Antioch. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds. During the investigation, detectives were able to have a sketch completed of a suspect involved in this homicide. The male pictured was described as possibly being a white male adult, in his mid-20s to early 30s, with short hair.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Gonzalez with the Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit at (925)779-6923. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

JB Yancy

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is seeking additional possible victims in a child molestation case. Earlier this year, Detectives arrested 26-year-old JB Yancy following a three-month long investigation.

Alleged acts of molestation against a minor victim in North Richmond were brought to the attention of the Office of the Sheriff in late 2016. Detectives launched an investigation and confirmed the allegations. An arrest warrant was issued for Yancy.

Yancy was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple counts of child molestation. He is currently being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and would like to talk to anyone with any information. Yancy has resided in Vallejo, Richmond, and Fairfield. He approached his victim in a public place.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sexual Assault Unit of the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2625. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Following are the Antioch Police Department calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated April, 2017 and provided by Interim Chief of Police Tammany Brooks.

Calls for Service Summary

Time Period:  03/30/17 00:00:00 – 04/05/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,735

Number of Case Reports: 260

Number of Arrests: 77

Felony: 26

Misdemeanor: 51

Arrests with DUI charge: 3

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• 4/5/17 at 4:56 pm, Wal-Mart loss prevention called APD dispatch and advised they had an employee, 19-year-old Kamya Gray in custody for embezzling $1200 from the store. An officer was dispatched to the store and learned that Gray was a cashier at the Wal-Mart and had stole $1200 from her register over a 4-day period. Gray also admitted to the officer that she stole the money. Gray was arrested for embezzlement and later booked into the County Jail.
• 04/05/2017 at 7:27am, citizens in the area of Park Middle School called 911 regarding a possible student in the neighborhood with a mask over his face and holding an air soft gun in his hand. Officers responded to the area and located a 14-year-old student with a BB gun in his hand. He also had a bandana around his neck. The juvenile was detained without incident and eventually charged with an Antioch Municipal Code violation. He was released to school staff after our investigation was complete.
• 4/2/17 at 10:30 pm, officers responded to the 7-Eleven at 3701 Sunset Lane for a report of an intoxicated subject passed out in the back seat of a vehicle. Officers contacted 19-year-old Osna Sharifi. Sharifi displayed objective symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and was intoxicated to the point she could not care for herself.  In plain view on the front driver seat was a loaded handgun.  Sharifi was arrested for public intoxication and possession of a loaded firearm in public. Sharifi was booked into County Jail.
• 4/1/17 at 11:03 am, officers were dispatched to Cortez Ct. and Buchanan Rd. for a vehicle collision. Upon arrival officers contacted 39-year-old Lionel White standing next to his vehicle. It was discovered White had collided into a parked car.  White displayed signs of alcohol intoxication.  After a series of field sobriety tests, White was arrested for DUI.  White was booked at the Antioch Jail and submitted to a breath test and then transported to County Jail.
• 3/31/17 at 7:54 pm, officers were dispatched to a report of a non-injury traffic collision on A St. Upon arrival they contacted 30-year-old Luis Martinez who had collided into three parked cars. Martinez’s steering wheel separated from the vehicle and he hit a fourth car.  Martinez displayed signs of alcohol intoxication and admitted he had been drinking.  After administering field sobriety tests Martinez was arrested for DUI and sent to County Jail.
• 03/31/2017 at 12:17 pm, a Chase Bank employee from the Delta Fair Blvd. branch called dispatch reporting a subject in the bank attempting to pass a fraudulent check. Officers arrived within a few minutes and contacted 46-year-old Regina Stokes who was waiting at the teller window. Officers spoke with the owner of Uncle Wang’s Chinese Restaurant in Pittsburg who advised the business was burglarized last night and company checks were stolen. Stokes was arrested for passing a fraudulent check and booked in the County Jail.
• 3/30/17 at 5:40 pm, officers were dispatched to Tailgaters Sports Bar for the report of a male being verbally abusive towards the staff. Upon arrival, they located, 28-year-old Jon Bella inside the establishment at the pool tables. Bella was initially calm and willingly complied with officer’s request to go outside. Once outside Bella became upset that he was being asked to leave the bar, stating that this is where he hangs out and that nobody can tell him he has to leave. Officers advised Bella that he was no longer welcome at the bar tonight. Bella attempted to re-gain access to the bar on three different occasions. Bella was advised he would be placed under arrest if he attempted to re-enter the bar which he did. The manager of Tailgaters signed a Citizen’s Arrest form, and Bella was placed under arrest for trespassing. Bella booked into County Jail for likely to continue.