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

On April 3, 2017 at approximately 8:38 PM, Antioch Police dispatch received calls regarding a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Buchanan Road and Buchanan Crossings. A 46-year-old female Antioch resident was crossing Buchanan Road at the intersection of Buchanan Crossings against a red signal light when she was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound on Buchanan Rd. The female was transported to an area hospital for major injuries to her lower extremities and is expected to survive. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Alcohol or drug intoxication did not appear to be a factor in the collision.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. Further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line (925) 779-6874. If you have information regarding this case you may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Editor:

It would be so easy to say “here we go again”. But, no, I will not let my confidence in our city waiver. Events like shootings are sad, scary and vile. It is time for “Antioch Strong”. We need to pull together from the Delta to the South Hills. From the West hills to Highway 4.

I am not promoting a posse. But I am proposing a change in a way we approach these shootings. Larger cities than ours have found ways to combat these evils. We are not Chicago; we are a good community with some bad people. We are a city full of pride and are poised to take our streets back. We must do that. We must react to criminal behavior, report it quickly and advise police when things are just not right. Some of us do that. Now everyone must.

The act of prevention is the strongest deterrent to violence. Become proactive. It is not hard, even when peeking out your windows. The stop and frisk rule should be easier to implement than it is today. So that the power to stop, question, and frisk suspects, given reasonable circumstances, and to a standard that holds less than probable cause, the standard should be the standard of reasonable suspicion, a question of circumstances of each individual case and officers should determine whether reasonable detention and investigation is validated based upon knowledge of history and common sense.

I for one, want suspicious activity investigated stronger than it is today. Everyone has to pass through a metal detector before boarding an airplane, why not allow as much freedom to police on the street. I know many will feel that my view endorses an unreasonable use of power. But, is not ducking flying bullets in our town, being afraid of walking out at night very similar to the effects of war or terrorism?

I am wide open to alternatives like education, accountability, and other options. I would love to see a laundry list of options other than what I propose that can deter the violence. If I continue to write what is considered unpopular, and it sparks debate and keeps this issue in the forefront, then I am fine with my view.

I understand the position of the issue and the possible targeting those of color, and that is not what I am proposing at all. I am supporting that if the police drive by a known crack- house and they see a car parked out front, they should have a right to stop and ask those inside the car for ID. If they pass a known criminal, they should have the right to stop and question.

I am frustrated that within the last year there have been no less than five shootings, many robberies and a bunch more crimes within range of my home. I am with neighborhood watch, walk my streets, chased people for stealing (seeing me run is a funny sight) and I am just overwhelmed with all of this garbage.

What I propose is not the ideal or politically correct position, that I know. Education is the key. Giving safe options other than violence through engaging church, school, parents, and community in educating that a gun is to defend and not to attack is not working in my view. Any other ideas?

Frederick Rouse

Antioch

By Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:40 PM Antioch Police were dispatched to the 700 block of K Street on the reports of shots being heard. As officers were responding, additional reports came in of a subject down. Upon arrival officers found a 23-year-old male suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers rendered aid until emergency medical services arrived and transported the male to an area hospital where he underwent surgery. Shortly after surgery the victim died as a result of his injuries.

This case is still under investigation. No further information will be released at this time. Anybody having information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Det. Gonzalez at (925) 779-6923. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Corporal Matthew Koch, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 1:19 pm, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to Cruisers Saloon located at 1611 A Street on a report of male suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, it was discovered the responsible(s) fled the area prior to police arrival. The officers contacted a 37-year-old male Antioch resident who suffered from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition. This incident is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

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.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

Following are the Antioch Police Department calls for service highlights as published in Acting City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated March 24, 2017 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service Summary:

Time Period: 03/16/17 00:00:00 – 03/22/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,679

Number of Case Reports: 306

Number of Arrests: 78

Felony:  23

Misdemeanor:  55

Arrests with DUI charge:  0

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

• 3/21/17 at 7:35 pm, officers were dispatched to a call of squatters in a vacant home on Filbert St. When they arrived, they were told by witnesses that the squatters had gotten into a red Toyota and drove it down the street to another address. The witnesses further saw the driver of the vehicle go into the house the car was now parked in front of. Officers found the vehicle and a DMV check found the vehicle had been stolen out of Pleasanton.  Contact was made at the residence with 35 year old Jennifer Prieto, 29 year old Ashley Hammond, and 31 year old Scott Rivera.  Prieto was identified as the person who drove the Toyota to that location.  Prieto was taken into custody without incident for auto theft and possession of stolen property and was transported to County Jail.
• 3/21/17 at 5:22 pm, 51 year old Lamos Sturgis came to Antioch PD for his annual sex offender registration. The officer discovered Sturgis was two months past his required registration date. Sturgis was arrested for failing to register and was later sent to County Jail.
• 3/20/17 at 5:40 pm, officers were dispatched to the Sears store on Somersville Rd. for 63 year old Pete Warren who had been caught shoplifting. Upon arrival, officers learned Warren had loaded a cart with $1,200 worth of power tools, clothing and perfume and placed the cart near an exit door. Warren went to the parking lot, pulled his truck up near the door, and then brought the cart outside to his truck where he was contacted and detained by store employees.  Warren was arrested without incident for burglary and grand theft and was booked into County Jail.
• 3/20/17 at 12:52 pm, the Community Engagement Team (CET) returned to the BNSF property at the foot of F St. and located a total of 12 subjects who were there illegally. Any of the subjects who had been previously contacted there and advised to leave were arrested and transported to County Jail for likely to continue on the charge of trespassing on private property. The remaining subjects were issued citations and released at the scene.
• 3/19/17 at 12:34 pm, an officer on routine patrol in the area of Auto Center Dr. and Mahogany Way located a Chevy Malibu driving northbound on Auto Center Dr. A check of the vehicle’s license plate showed the vehicle was stolen out of the City of Martinez during a carjacking. The officer followed the vehicle into Century Plaza in the City of Pittsburg while he waited for cover officers to arrive.  The driver, 22 year old Anastasia Atencio, sped off, and a pursuit ensued.  The officer pursued the vehicle westbound on Century Blvd.  The vehicle crashed into a street sign pole in the Winco parking lot in North Park Plaza.  Atencio was arrested without further incident.  Martinez PD was contacted and they responded to the scene and took custody of Atencio.  Pittsburg PD also responded and took the collision report.
• 3/18/17 at 8:30 pm, officers were dispatched to a home on Lincoln Lane for a report of trespassing. Upon arrival, officers located 28 year old Emmanuel Rader trespassing in a shed. Rader was arrested without incident and sent to County Jail.
• 3/18/17 at 8:45 am, an officer observed an older Honda in the area of the Holiday Lodge on W. 10th St. and saw the driver make attempts to avoid contact with the officer. The vehicle parked across from the Holiday Lodge and the rear passenger quickly walked away. He was later identified as 38 year old Lawrence Murphy. He was found to be in possession of .45 caliber ammunition. During a search of the Honda, officers located a stolen .45 caliber handgun under the passenger seat. Murphy was a convicted felon and arrested for possession of the gun and ammunition. He was booked into County Jail.
• 3/17/17 at 3:48 pm, officers responded to the report of a subject passed out in City Park. Upon officers’ arrival, 39 year old Andrew Guillory was contacted in the grass near the playground. He was found to be heavily intoxicated and uncooperative when they woke him. Guillory was arrested for public intoxication and booked into County Jail.
• 3/17/17 at 1:58 pm, a citizen called to report a subject at Jack’s Car Wash on Fitzuren Rd. with a firearm in his waistband. Officers responded and contacted 36 year old Keith Stevenson who was found to have a loaded handgun in his pocket. The gun had been reported stolen that same day in a residential burglary in Oakley. Stevenson was also a convicted felon. He was arrested and booked in the County Jail for possession of the stolen handgun.
• 3/16/17 at 3:48 pm, an officer was on patrol when he saw 47 year old Michael Stevens driving near Garrow Dr. The officer knew that Stevens had a Parolee at Large warrant. The officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on Stevens’ vehicle and he was taken into custody. Stevens was booked into County Jail.

Chief Allan Cantando is presented with a clock by Argentina Luevano, former Councilwoman & Mayor Mary Rocha, and Angel Luevano, for his service to the Latino community of Antioch. Photo courtesy of Argentina Luevano

By John Crowder

Over 200 people, including community members, current and former political dignitaries, and police officers from around the Bay Area attended the retirement ceremony of Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando, on Thursday, March 30th.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Antioch’s Lone Tree Golf and Event Center, Cantando, surrounded by family members, and with his father listening in though Skype, heard how much he had meant to the Antioch community.

Captain Tammany Brooks, now serving as Acting Chief after the man he described as his best friend leaves that post, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Brooks welcomed the crowd, then introduced the Antioch Police Color Guard, who presented the American and California flags for the pledge of allegiance.  Brooks then called on Reverend Robert Rien, of Antioch’s St. Ignatius Church, to give the invocation.

Rien, in an emotional talk that served as a prelude to many other acknowledgements of the impact that Cantando had during his almost 30 years of service to the City of Antioch, described how he had come to know Cantando over the last several years, and how close they had become.

Following Rien’s remarks, Retired Chief Mark Moczulski introduced Chief Cantando, who in turn introduced his family to those gathered for the event.

Representatives from California and State legislators, along with members of the community, then took turns honoring Cantando, and presenting him with letters of appreciation and gifts, thanking him for his service to the community. They included former Chief of Police Mark Moczulski, former City Manager Steve Duran, former Mayor Wade Harper, former Mayor and Councilwoman Mary Rocha, as well as former Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair Hans Ho, among others.

Chief Cantando, who will now begin a second career with Bank of America as Vice President and Regional Manager of Protective Services for the organization, closed the event with a final message.  In it, he thanked his family, friends, and his fellow police officers, emphasizing the dangers they face in their daily efforts to keep the public safe.

Cantando was the Chief of Police in Antioch for five-and-a-half years.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, March 30, 2017 at approximately 9:20 PM, Antioch Officers were advised of a possible stabbing victim inside the Antioch Wal-Mart Store restroom. On arrival, an adult male victim suffering from a single stab wound was located inside. It was learned that an argument had begun off property at a nearby location and the involved parties ran into the restroom inside the store. The argument continued and the victim was stabbed.

The suspect was detained at the scene and later booked into County Jail on felony assault charges. The weapon used was recovered at the scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. This incident did not involve the Wal-Mart Store or any of its employees. 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 Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Following are the Antioch Police Department calls for service highlights as published in Acting City Manager Ron Bernal’s Weekly Report dated March 17, 2017 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 03/09/17 00:00:00 – 03/15/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,792

Number of Case Reports: 307

Number of Arrests: 76

Felony: 28

Misdemeanor: 48

Arrests with DUI charge: 0

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

• On 3/9/2017 at 8:56am, Officers contacted the occupants of a vehicle parked in the apartment complex located at 2301 Sycamore Dr. During a routine computer check, 32 year old Chino Jones was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest. Jones was arrested without incident and booked in the county jail.
• On 3/9/2017 at approximately 12:17am, citizens in the area of Selena Ct. called dispatch to report gun shots in the area. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate a scene or victims. Today at approximately 1:04 pm, a female called dispatch to report a bullet hole in her garage. Officers responded and confirmed her house was hit by a single gunshot along with a vehicle in the area. Two casings were collected as evidence. Video surveillance captured the incident however no leads were developed as a result of the footage.
• On 3/9/2017 at 1:14 pm, dispatch received a call from 21 year old Jimmy Mauriscio who was in front of Antioch High School. Mauriscio called to turn himself in for two pending warrants. Officers responded and took Mauriscio into custody without incident. He was booked in the county jail.
• On 3/9/17 at 11:01 pm, an officer was conducting extra patrol of the Goodwill lot and contacted 44 year old Nicole Costa, 37 year old Melissa Rinear, and 51 year old Michael Sullivan going through items in the fenced yard. The gate was open at this time and no representative of the business could be located to respond. Costa was found to have a warrant for her arrest. She was released at the scene on a signed promise to appear. All were given a trespass admonishment. The gate was closed, but could not be secured.
• On 3/10/17 at 3:25 pm, an officer was conducting extra patrol at the Quikstop on Sycamore Dr. when he contacted 25 year old Peter Beskalis. The officer found Beskalis had a felony warrant for possession of stolen property. He was arrested and booked into the County Jail.
• On 3/10/17 at 8:21 pm, officers were dispatched to the Sleep Train located at 4819 Lone Tree Way for subjects fighting in the parking lot. Officers arrived on scene and found a group of subjects but no fight. An officer recognized 20 year old Jordan Jackson as a suspect in a strong armed robbery that occurred at Eagleridge Park on 3/8/17.  Jackson was arrested for the robbery and booked into the County Jail.
• On 3/10/17 at 11:05 pm, an officer made a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle on W 18th St. and contacted 19 year old Leonardo Meza. The officer found Meza had a felony warrant for possession and transportation of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales. He was arrested and booked into the County Jail.
• On 3/11/2017 at 9:21 am, an officer observed 27 year old Armani Shankles in the Quikstop parking lot located at 1108 Sycamore Dr. The officer observed a hand to hand transaction and suspected Shankles to be involved in drug sales. Shankles was contacted and found to be on probation. During a search of Shankles and his vehicle, the officer located marijuana, cash and indicia of sales. Shankles was arrested, his probation was violated and he was booked in the county jail.
• On 3/11/2017 at 1:03 pm, East Bay Regional Parks Helicopter was over Antioch when they received a LoJack hit on a stolen motorcycle reported by CHP. Officers checked the area of Boulder Drive and saw a similar motorcycle in the garage of a home on Boulder Dr. Officers made contact with 24 year old Daniel O’Neil who allowed officers in the garage to search. The motorcycle was the stolen motorcycle we were looking for. O’Neil was arrested and booked in the county jail. The motorcycle was released to the victim.
• On 3/11/2017 at 1:09 pm, officers contacted 29 year old Agnes Brussor near Somersville Rd and HWY 4 during a traffic collision investigation. Brussor was found to have a warrant for her arrest and was booked in the county jail.
• On 3/11/17 at 2301 hours, APD officers responded with Confire to the report of a large brush fire on Hillcrest Avenue near Laurel Road. On arrival, it was discovered to be a small fire in the bushes along the east sound wall of Hillcrest Avenue just south of Laurel Road. Confire quickly extinguished the fire and no structures were threatened. A Confire Investigator responded and took over the investigation. He later advised the fire appeared to be arson.
• On 3/12/17 at 7:58 am, an officer on routine patrol in the area of Sycamore Dr. and Spanos St. observed 48 year old Kirt Grant walking down the middle of the street. The officer contacted Grant and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for probation violation. Grant was taken into custody without incident and transported to County Jail.
• On 3/12/17 at 11:40 am, officers responded to the 4300 block of Hillcrest Ave for a reported single vehicle rollover accident. Upon arrival, it was determined the unknown driver of an Acura was traveling northbound on Hillcrest Ave, lost control of the vehicle, and collided into the city owned sound wall. The vehicle then rolled down an embankment and caught fire. The driver and two passengers all fled the scene in a separate vehicle that appeared to be following the responsible.  The hospitals were notified and as of this time the driver has not been identified.
• On 3/12/17 at 11:50 am, an officer on routine patrol in the area of Auto Center Dr. and Highway 4 observed 50 year-old Timothy Jones panhandling at the on-ramp to Highway 4 at Auto Center Dr. The officer contacted Jones and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for narcotic violations. Jones was taken into custody without incident and transported to County Jail.
• On 03/12/2017 at 8:30 pm officers were dispatched to 3214 Delta Fair Boulevard, Firestone Tires, for a report of a subject breaking into the business. Upon arrival officers located 28 year old Moises Sanchez laying on the ground in front of the business covered with a blanket watching the television that was on in the business. The officers were told by a witness that Sanchez broke the windows to the business so he could make entry to the building, turn the businesses television on, and watch television.  Sanchez was placed under arrest and placed in the back of a patrol car.  Sanchez continually kicked the door panel and windows of the interior of the patrol car.  Sanchez was placed in a restraint device (WRAP) and transported to county jail.
• On 3/13/17 at 11:40 am, the County’s Hazardous Materials team requested Antioch officers to respond to the 2200 block of Manzanita Way for reported mercury in the roadway. Officers responded to the scene and canvassed the area for any leads as to how the mercury arrived, which met with negative results. An informational report was drawn for documentation purposes only.  The VIPS responded and took over traffic control.  At approximately 2:30 pm, HazMat requested all of Manzanita Way be shut down as it was discovered the mercury had spread from Mahogany Way to Sycamore Dr.  Due to the amount of mercury, the County’s Hazardous Materials team requested the assistance from the federal government.  Agents from the Environmental Protection Agency responded to the scene and took over.  It was anticipated the roadway would be closed for at least a day if not longer.
• On 3/13/17 at 11:54 pm, an officer on routine patrol in the area of Mokelumne Drive made a traffic enforcement stop for vehicle code violations. The driver, 30 year-old Darrell Allen was contacted and found to be on felony probation. During a search of his person, the officer located narcotic paraphernalia.  Allen was arrested without incident and later transported to County Jail.
• On 3/13/17 at 6:23 pm numerous callers advised of a fire at a storage facility on Sunset Drive. A vehicle and storage units were found engulfed in flames. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. Arson investigators took over the investigation.
• On 3/14/17 at 7:21 am, officers responded to Diana Dr. for a report of 31 year-old Salvador Quintero breaking into a residence. Based on prior cases involving Quintero, it was determined that Quintero had been stalking his child’s mother. Officers attempted contact at the residence and Quintero refused to comply and exit.  The residence was ultimately searched with a police K-9 (Enzo).  Enzo alerted to a couch in the family room.  Officers had to lift the couch in order to locate Quintero who was found hiding inside the frame area from underneath the couch.  Quintero refused to exit the couch and was taken into custody by the K-9.  Quintero was transported to a hospital for treatment.  He was later transported to County Jail on the charges of stalking, burglary and resisting arrest.
• On 3/14/17 at 3:01 pm, an officer on routine patrol observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot to the Shell Gas Station located at 4198 Lone Tree Way. The officer could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle and contacted the occupant, 24 year-old Izaya Johnson. During a search of the vehicle, approximately 159 grams of marijuana was located packaged for sales. The officer also located numerous 9 mm bullets within the vehicle.  It was discovered that Johnson is a convicted felon.  Upon reviewing video, officers observed Johnson had been parked at the location for approximately two hours making numerous hand to hand transactions.   Johnson was arrested without incident and later transported to County Jail on the charges of marijuana sales and felon in possession of ammunition.
• On 3/14/17 at 3:38 pm an officer saw 55 year old Scott Bevis walking on E Street near West 10th. The officer knew he had a warrant for his arrest. Bevis was arrested and taken to county jail.
• On 3/14/17 at 4:56 pm an officer recognized 46 year old Lee Cash sitting on a park bench on Mahogany Way. The officer knew Cash had warrants for his arrest. Cash was arrested and taken to county jail.
• On 03/14/2017 at 11:37 pm officers were dispatched to 2213 Buchanan Road Building #201 for a burglary in progress. Upon arrival officers stopped and arrested 36 year old Jonathan Pearson and 39 year old Angela Pena for trespassing and vandalism. A witness had seen the pair attempting to force entry into the bathroom in building 201.  Pearson and Pena were released on citations.
• On 03/15/2017 at 11:42 am, an officer was in the area of 2201 San Jose Drive when he observed a subject sitting in a vehicle with expired vehicle registration. The officer made contact with 65 year old Earl Brown who was found to have a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. Brown was arrested without incident and booked in the county jail.
• On 03/15/2017 at 12:19 pm, an officer was patrolling the open field area near Markstein due to the recent increase in trespass complaints as well as off-road vehicle use in the area. The officer made contact with 39 year old Justin Kurtiz who was parked in the field. Kurtiz has a suspended driver’s license and admitted to drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Officers located a methamphetamine pipe and approximately 5.3 grams of blue colored methamphetamine. Kurtiz was issued a citation and released on scene.
• On 03/15/2017 at 2:56pm, an officer was patrolling the open field near the end of Viera Av. due to recent stolen vehicles located in the field. The officer came upon 42 year old Daniel Bryant who advised he had a no bail warrant. During a records check, Bryant was found to have a warrant for his arrest and subsequently booked in the county jail.