By Acting Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On August 31, 2016, at approximately 10:20 AM, APD dispatch received several calls from citizens regarding a possible shooting at Romis Liquor on E 18^th Street. Officers arrived on scene and determined there was no shooting and that a traffic collision had occurred. It was determined a 31-year-old Antioch male just exited the store when a 53-year-old Oakland female pulled into the parking lot and drove her vehicle into the store wall, pinning the male against the wall.

The male was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries to his lower extremities. The female was arrested for driving under the influence and later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

Following are the Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated August 26, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 08/18/16 00:00:00–08/24/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,803

Number of Case Reports: 327

Number of Arrests: 79

Felony: 38

Misdemeanor: 40

Infraction: 1

Arrests with DUI charge: 0

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

• ·8/24/2016 at 11:08 pm, a victim of auto theft and a friend drove to Antioch on a tip that the victim’s stolen modified Toyota Landcruiser rock crawler and trailer were spotted downtown. Both had been stolen from a storage yard in Stockton about two weeks ago. They had used social media attempting to seek information on its whereabouts and located the Toyota and trailer which was attached to a Ford F250 with 54 year old Michael Vargas and 45 year old Harlan Bingham getting ready to leave. They called APD Dispatch and provided officers with updates while they were en route. Both Vargas and Bingham were contacted in the area of W. 7^th St. and K Street. Both were taken into custody without incident and booked into county jail. Vargas was found to have an outstanding warrant also. The victim provided a video from the storage yard that captured the theft and confirmed the F250 truck being the vehicle used during the theft.
• ·On 8/24/2016 at 10:45 pm, officers responded to the 2900 block of Delta Fair Blvd. for a possible burglary in progress. 34 year old Jamie Cambra was contacted in front of the business. She was found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest for petty theft and was taken into custody without incident. She was later booked into county jail. The reported burglary was unfounded.
• ·On 8/24/2016 at 5:07 pm, an officer responded to a cold burglary call at 2800 Gentrytown Dr. While walking through the complex, the officer was flagged down by several citizens who advised 22 year old Michael Chamberlin was yelling and threatening them. As the officer approached, Chamberlin placed a bandana over his nose and mouth and immediately ran. When other citizens observed the officers attempts they blocked Chamberlin’s path. With the help of bystanders the officer was able to catch Chamberlin and take him to the ground. Chamberlin resisted and refused to comply with officers’ orders to put his hands behind his back. With the assistance of additional officers, Chamberlin was taken into custody. He was transported to county jail for making threats and resisting arrest.
• ·On 8/24/2016 at 4:17 pm, CHP made a traffic stop on 29 year old Dijon Ammons and he pulled over on Hillcrest Ave. near PG&E. Ammons waited until the officer walked up to the side of his car then sped off at a high rate of speed. CHP saw that Ammons hit a parked car and rolled the vehicle he was driving on S. Lake Dr. Ammons fled on foot and a citizen reported that Ammons was last seen in the backyard of a nearby house on S. Lake Dr. Ammons was found hiding under the rear deck of that home and he surrendered once he was spotted. Ammons had injuries to his arms including a cut on his left wrist that needed medical attention. CHP released Ammons pending further investigation and he was transported to the hospital for treatment. We took the traffic collision for CHP.
• ·On 8/24/2016 at 11:54 am, an APD detective obtained a Ramey Warrant for 45 year old Carlos Ramirez regarding a sexual assault of a minor. An on-duty patrol officer was aware of the warrant and knew what vehicles Ramirez was associated with. The officer drove by Ramirez’s residence in the 4600 block of Brookdale Cir. and both of his vehicles were at the house. Officers contacted Ramirez at the front door of the residence and he was placed under arrest. Ramirez was transported to the Antioch Jail where he was interviewed by the detective and later transported to county jail.
• ·On 8/24/2016 at 1:25 am, an officer conducted a pedestrian stop on 24 year old Jose Pedroza at Chevron located at 2413 A St. Pedroza was found to have a warrant in the system for violation of his parole/probation. Pedroza was arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·On 8/23/2016 at 11:31 pm, officers contacted 45 year old Gary Sanford during a pedestrian stop near Auto Zone located at 1623 A St. and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and heroin. Sanford was released at the scene on a citation.
• ·On 8/23/2016 at 11:18 pm, officers contacted 37 year old Merian Murphy was contacted at Kaiser hospital on Sand Creek Rd. as she was causing a disturbance. Murphy had a warrant for her arrest so she was arrested and handcuffed. Murphy was able to grab an officer’s Taser from his vest, but she was quickly subdued. While being placed in the patrol car she kicked an officer in the chest a few times before being contained in the car. No one was injured in the altercation with Murphy. Murphy was direct transported to county jail.
• ·On 8/23/2016 at 2:46 pm, an officer was conducting extra patrol in the area of 7-11 on Buchanan Road when he saw 25 year old Dparis Williams standing at the front door. Williams has been arrested for trespassing numerous times at this location. He was arrested again for trespassing and a probation violation. He was sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/23/2016 at 12:35 am, 39 year old Julian Owens was contacted during a pedestrian stop in the area of C St. and W 20^th St. Officers found Owens in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and heroin as well as a glass pipe. Owens was cited released from the scene.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 11:42 pm, 44 year old Nicole Costa was contacted while trespassing at Goodwill located at 2701 W. 10^th St. She had a warrant for her arrest in the system for several drug violations. Costa was arrested and cite released at the scene with a new court date.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 11:57 pm, officers were dispatched to a disturbance at an apartment located at 3421 Hudson Ct. 54 year old Terryn Conerly was contacted at the apartment and found to have a warrant in the system for his arrest. Conerly was arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 7:49 pm, 46 year old Tisha Stephenson and the 50 year old male victim are both transient. The victim became upset because Stephenson was not following the unwritten rule of only panhandling for 30 minutes at a time so others could have a turn. They got into an argument that resulted in Stephenson pulling out a metal bat and hitting the victim, causing minor injuries. Stephenson was still panhandling when we arrived and was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 5:30 pm, officers were dispatched to the alley behind 1700 Sycamore Dr. for a subject possibly living out of their vehicle. 53 year old Irene Hendricks was contacted and found to have a no-cite warrant in the system for her arrest. She was taken into custody and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 2:00 pm, officers went to a home in the 5100 block of Canada Hills Dr. to standby while adult protective services removed a subject from the home. Officers contacted 33 year old Michael Woodruff while at the call location and ran him for warrants. He was listed as a parolee at large out of Amador County. We learned he was living at the listed location and contacted his parole agent. The agent placed a parole hold on him and he was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 1:26 pm, officers saw 29 year old Vartisha Jones standing near the intersection of Sycamore Dr. and Banyan Dr. and knew she had a warrant for her arrest. She was contacted and arrested. During a search of her person, Jones was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was later booked in county jail.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 3:42 am, 24 year old Bismarck Amituanai was intoxicated and causing a disturbance at his parents residence in the 2000 block of Beechwood Way. Bismarck was contacted arrested without incident. He was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 11:58 pm, 35 year old Nina Asghari was contacted during a traffic stop in the area of C St. and W. 20^th St. She was found to be in possession of 1.8 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. She was arrested and cite released from the scene.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 10:20 pm, many residents called regarding a shootout with 20+ shots being fired in the Mandarin Way area. None of the callers reported seeing anything. Officers located numerous expended .223 caliber shell casings in a driveway in the 2200 block of Mandarin Way and numerous expended .40 caliber shell casings in the driveway area of the 2300 block of Mandarin Way. Three unoccupied parked cars were struck as were two residences. No injured victims were located. While investigating this incident an officer saw a parked occupied vehicle in the area. 19 year old Deangelo Currie was in the vehicle and gave a false name. He was found in possession of a loaded handgun under the seat. Currie was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 4:55 am, officers responded to a structure fire at Antioch Middle School. Officers arrived and located a garbage can on fire. The fire was quickly put out. Contra Costa Fire arrived and checked the buildings. No other damage was located. There were no witnesses or suspects located.
• ·On 8/22/2016 at 1:30 am, 26 year old Ricardo Cendejas assaulted his former girlfriend on a previous date and now there was probable cause for his arrest. Cendejas also had a no bail felony warrant for assault on an officer. Tonight, he showed back up at the apartment located at 1111 James Donlon Blvd. and was trying to gain entry into the apartment. As officers approached, he fled on foot and into an awaiting vehicle. The driver of the vehicle swerved towards officers nearly hitting them. The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. Officers gave chase onto westbound Highway 4 until CHP took over the pursuit near Bailey Rd. An APD K9 officer stayed in the pursuit with CHP west on Highway 680 to 242 to 24 were the APD K9 officer was terminated at the Caldecott tunnel. CHP advised later that they lost the vehicle in downtown Oakland.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 6:35 pm, officers responded to a large fight at Ashburton Park located at 2900 Ashburton Dr. While officers were en route, one of the victims called 9-1-1 stating he was following a vehicle with several responsibles inside. The victim advised he was struck several times and that the subjects inside the vehicle had a shot gun. Officers located the vehicle at the intersection of Cavallo Rd. and E. Tregallas Rd. A high risk stop was conducted and four subjects were detained that were subsequently positively identified by the victims. Inside the vehicle, officers found numerous shot gun rounds, a loaded shot gun, and several air soft guns. A pit bull was discovered in the vehicle as well and as two officers tried to remove the dog, one officer was bit on the hand. The officer’s wound was minor. He was treated at the hospital and returned to duty. Identified suspects were booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 2:20 pm, officers responded to 4 Helmuth Lane for a cold report of petty theft of a flag. The officer learned that 66 year old Steven Kinder had taken his neighbor’s American flag. A report was taken at that time, but no arrest was made. Approximately two hours later, the officer responded to the Mexican Restaurant at 1725 Cavallo Road for a vandalism call. During this incident, Kinder caused a disturbance and vandalized the food counter. He was arrested and released on a notice to appear. Approximately two hours later, Officer Adams responded to 1802 Alpha Way for a threats call. He learned Kinder was in an argument with his neighbor over trash. During the argument, Kinder made threats to kill his neighbor. Kinder was located near Romi’s Liquors on Cavallo Road and arrested without incident. Kinder gave a statement and was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/21/2016 at 1:40 am, a 20 year old male victim was at a small party in the 5300 block of Catanzaro Way and was standing outside by the front door. An unknown subject in an unknown vehicle fired numerous rounds at the residence, one of which struck the victim in the upper leg. The victim’s friends rushed him to the hospital where he was quickly stabilized with non-life threatening injuries. Officers responded to the residence and met with the remaining occupants of the home who all claimed they had little to no knowledge of the shooting. The residence was struck by at least three bullets and one slug was recovered from the driveway. No casings were located and a protective sweep yielding nothing of note. According to the victim, he had no idea why the shooting took place and it was unknown if he was an intended target or just standing in the wrong place.
• ·On 8/20/2016 at 5:12 pm, officers responded to the 2000 block of Lynwood Dr. on a report of an unwanted guest. Officers arrived and contacted 34 year old Joseph Malfitano outside the residence. A computer check on him revealed there was a warrant for his arrest for drug sales. Malfitano was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/20/2016 at 4:21 pm, officers were dispatched to 1111 James Donlon on a report of a vandalism to a vehicle. Officers arrived and learned 23 year old Niemah Rodriguez was intoxicated and for no apparent reason began damaging her neighbor’s vehicle. Officers contacted Rodriguez and found her to be on probation with a clause that she cannot consume alcohol. The victim signed a citizen’s arrest and Rodriguez was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/20/2016 at 2:22 pm, a 53 year old resident on Linden Way reported hearing several gunshots in the area of her residence the night before. She went outside and saw numerous people picking up casings in the street in front of her house. She was not able to get a description of the people in the street because it was dark. This morning, she discovered her vehicle was struck by the gunfire. There are no investigative leads at his time.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 11:16 pm, an officer contacted 40 year old Raheem Coe who was standing in front of the doorway of Gas City located at 4198 Lone Tree Way. Coe has been contacted and advised he was no longer welcome on the property several times in the past. The clerk signed a citizen’s arrest and Coe was taken into custody for trespassing and booked into county jail. On 8/20/2016 at 2:41 pm Coe was re-arrested and sent back to county jail.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 1:40 pm, a 42 year old victim arrived home at the 900 block of St. Francis Dr. and discovered his house was burglarized. He told APD dispatch that he was going to wait in his vehicle because the house had not been checked. While the victim was sitting in his vehicle he saw documented Norteño gang member, 21 year old Johnny Madden, come out the front door of his residence and start loading property from the burglary into a vehicle. Officers arrived on scene and Madden was taken into custody. The victim stated that he also saw another male inside of his residence through a window. Officers checked the residence and it appeared that the second male most likely saw officers arrest Madden and fled out the rear of the residence before the officers knew about him. Madden was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 9:19 am, an officer found that a known gang member, 21 year old Brandon Elder, had two felony warrants for his arrest. Several APD officers went to Elder’s residence in the 200 block of Rossi Ave. where Elder was contacted in his bedroom. Elder was arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 9:04 am, a 40 year old female called APD dispatch and stated that 42 year old Shawn West was at her residence located in the 5100 block of Monitor Pass Way and that he had a warrant for his arrest. The caller stated that West drove a blue Jaguar and that she left the residence because West was being verbal with her. At about 10:06 am, an officer saw a blue Jaguar and determined it was West’s vehicle. He conducted a stop on the vehicle and arrested West for the warrant. West was transported to county jail.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 12:12 am, APD units responded with Contra Costa Fire for the report of an apartment fire at 2118 Alpha Way. On arrival, the back apartment of the complex was engulfed. Contra Costa Fire quickly extinguished the fire before it spread to the other units. This is the same apartment from an arson case on 8/10/2016 in which a suspect in the area is believed to have set that fire with gasoline. The fire tonight appears to be started by the same means. The suspect has not been located at this time. Contra Costa Fire took over the investigation. No one was injured and the other apartments were temporarily evacuated.
• ·On 8/19/2016 at 5:44 pm, a 29 year old male victim arrived at the hospital emergency room with a head injury. The victim informed hospital staff he thought he had been shot or jumped on Sycamore Dr; however, emergency room staff did not believe the injury to be a gunshot wound. The victim was uncooperative with officers and stated he was in the area of Gentrytown Dr. when he heard a gunshot and he all of a sudden blacked out. The victim had a 1-2 inch laceration to his head with swelling around the wound. It appeared as if the victim was struck with a blunt object.
• ·On 8/18/2016 at 3:58 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of 2301 Sycamore Dr. on a report of approximately 10-12 shots heard from the area. As officers were en-route, additional callers reported seeing males fleeing the area in vehicles east bound on Sycamore Dr. and subjects fleeing on foot going into 2301 Sycamore Dr. Officers located spent casings in the middle of Sycamore Dr. in front of the Delta Pines Apartment complex. Officers were unable to locate any victims or suspects.
• ·On 8/18/2016 at 9:45 am, the Antioch Harbor Master realized this morning that a city owned Boston Whaler Boat was stolen from the Marina. An officer responded for the report and watched video of the area the boat was stolen from and discovered the boat was stolen on 8/17/16, at about 0255 hours. The video was not great quality but provided some limited description of the boat used to steal the city owned boat. This case is still under investigation.

By Sgt. Dee, Antioch Police Patrol Division

On Friday, August 26, 2016 at 4:11 p.m., Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the report of a fight inside the Somersville Towne Center mall at 2550 Somersville Road. While officers were en route, dispatch received a call of shots fired. Numerous officers responded code 3 and made contact with a vehicle leaving the scene at a high rate of speed.

Inside the vehicle, officers contacted a 20-year-old female suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. First aid was rendered at the scene and she was transported to an area hospital where she is in stable condition.

At this time, the shooter is still outstanding and no other persons were injured as a result of the shooting. It appears as if this is an isolated incident and the case is still under investigation. While on scene, officers received information of an unrelated theft. During the theft at least one subject made mention of having a gun. A vehicle stop was conducted as the vehicle was leaving the parking lot and three females were detained. The stolen property was recovered however no weapon was located.

After further investigation it appears as if the gun information was unfounded and the second stop was not related in any way to the original shooting.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. No further information will be released at this time as the case is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Dimitri Barakos #2176, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at approximately 2:23 a.m. the Antioch Police Department received a call of a traffic collision on East 18th Street at the intersection with Parsons Lane. Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle involved in this collision was traveling west bound on East 18th Street west of Blossom Drive in the vehicle.

The vehicle veered from a direct course of travel and struck the north curb of East 18th Street and then a wooden PG&E power pole that was on the north sidewalk of East 18th Street at Parsons Lane. The power pole was snapped in two just above the base, which caused power to go out in the East 18th Street and Cavallo Road corridor. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot and was not  located.

No other occupants were found in the vehicle. Local hospitals were notified of the collision in case the driver sought medical treatment. PG&E personnel responded to fix the pole and restore power.

The case is still under investigation. You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

I fight crime with a little help from my friends

By Allen Payton

Recently, residents have asked questions on social media, about calls that the Antioch Police Department dispatch does not take and why. Captain Tammany Brooks offered the following explanation and information, and the process for online reporting the APD is asking residents to follow, to assist in their efforts:

“Here are certain incidents and/or crimes where dispatch will direct the caller to complete an online report.  Antioch is not unique in this aspect, as many other agencies use this service as well (including Brentwood, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek just to name a few locally).

When the citizen completes the online report, the report is reviewed and (if completed correctly) approved by a patrol supervisor.  This report is then given an Antioch case number and is routed to Records and sometimes the Investigations bureau.  If it is a Part 1 crime (i.e. theft report), it is coded appropriately to be included in the UCR report sent to the FBI.

An event generated by dispatch is generally handled by an officer who gets dispatched to make contact with the reporting party.  If a report is taken, it too is routed to Records and possibly Investigations in the same manner as the online reports.  In other words, the completed product (report) is the same and ends up in the same place regardless of whether it was generated by an officer or a citizen filing an online report.  But if an event is not generated, and an officer is not dispatched, you are correct that this incident would not show up in the weekly total calls for service.  This is the case with all online reports whether the citizen called dispatch first or not.

Now, to answer your question as to how APD would know about a crime if an officer is not dispatched and the citizen does not file an online report…we won’t.  We can only stat the crimes we know about, just like any other agency.  Understand, online reports are used in limited circumstances, designed as a convenience for our citizens and to free up officers to handle other crimes that require a response.  If for some reason a person cannot complete an online report, he/she can demand an officer and one will be dispatched.  Obviously, like every other call to be dispatched, it is placed in a queue and will be sent to an officer when one is available (which may take an extended period of time since calls are dispatched based on priority).  As I’m sure you already know, it would be MUCH quicker and easier for a citizen to just go online and complete a report than it would be to wait for an officer to come take the same report.  Heck, we even have a link to the online reporting system on our PD app so people can complete the report on their smart phone if they like.

So, to close the loop on this, every agency is faced with the “unreported crime” issue.  We cannot force people to report a crime, but obviously we need their cooperation.  I back the chief 100% in that we want people to report crimes.  Not just so we can track them, but so that if a lead is established, we can hold the people responsible for these crimes accountable for their actions.  But in today’s technologically advanced society, this may not always mean making a call into dispatch.  Documentation of certain crimes can be more quickly and efficiently handled through these online reports, and I would encourage people to take advantage of this service when the need arises.

p.s. Also, I will remind you that calls for service and crime stats are two completely separate and individually distinct measurements of different things.  Not all crime reports come from a call for service, and not all calls for service result in crime reports.”

So, be a friend to the Antioch Police Department and help them fight crime by either calling dispatch, texting an anonymous tip to to the PD by texting: 274637 (CRIMES) and including the word ANTIOCH in the body of the text, or by completing an online report. Here’s the link to the online report form or visit the APD’s webpage on the City of Antioch’s website, for the link to the online report on the left side of the page.

Following are the Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated August 19, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 08/11/16 00:00:00 – 08/17/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,692

Number of Case Reports: 272

Number of Arrests: 80

Felony: 36

Misdemeanor: 44

Arrests with DUI charge: 1

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

• ·On 8/11/16 at 10:12 am an officer was on Sycamore Drive when a black Honda saw his patrol car and quickly pulled into the rear alley in the 1200 block of Sycamore Drive. The two female occupants got out and the passenger, 28 year old Nathalie Moala, fled on foot. The license plate came back clear and Moala was stopped on Sycamore Drive. Moala was found to have two warrants for her arrest. The Honda’s VIN was checked and found to be reported stolen. Officer Joannides arrived on scene and recognized the vehicle because she had seen 35 year old Dawanna Hall driving the car earlier. Hall was contacted on Manzanita Way and found to have a warrant for stolen property. Moala and Hall were sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/11/16 at 11:00 pm a male had just arrived home from work and had parked in his driveway on Prewett Ranch Drive. As he was exiting his car, four males approached him. One of the males pointed a small revolver to his head and demanded his property. The victim gave them his phone and wallet and they fled in a nearby waiting vehicle. The victim was not injured.
• ·On 8/12/16 at 1:46 am the Quickstop clerk on West Tregallas Road called to complain about 28 year old Shane Stange being on his property bothering customers. Stange has been told he was not welcome at this business and per his probation terms, he cannot solicit or loiter at or near any business that sells alcohol. This was Stange’s second time to be contacted for a similar complaint. The previous call was at Lone Tree Liquors. Stange was taken into custody without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/12/16 at 10:12 am officers were dispatched to Antioch Produce on A Street for 26 year old Nathan Watson who is a transient refusing to leave the parking lot. Watson has been warned numerous times not to loiter in front of the business. Watson was arrested and transported to county on likely to continue.
• ·On 8/12/16 at 1:40 pm Contra Loma Estates security guard called dispatch to report 23 year old Kawan Hardy trespassing on the property. The guard reported that Hardy has been warned numerous times not to be on the property and demanded that we take a citizen’s arrest. Hardy was arrested, transported to the Antioch Police Department, where he was issued a citation and released on his signed promise to appear in court.
• ·On 8/12/16 at 10:12 pm officers were investigating a report of a man with a gun call at 1824 Cavallo Road. Officers parked their vehicles in the Romi’s parking lot and walked to 1824 Cavallo Road to investigate. An ambulance company was in the area and informed the officers that there was a male going crazy next to their patrol vehicles. Officers responded back to their vehicles to see 22 year old Taylor Wessman jumping on the roof to patrol vehicle 1236. When Wessman saw the officers approach, he stepped down onto the trunk and then down off the car. Wessman attempted to flee, however, he was taken to the ground by officers and a struggle ensued. Officers were able to eventually get Wessman into handcuffs. The roof and trunk to vehicle 1236 was caved in. The estimated damage to the patrol vehicle was approximately $1,000. Wessman was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/13/16 at 1:35 am 40 year old Derrick Lause was seen travelling on a motorcycle southbound on Deer Valley at a speed estimated over 80MPH. A short time passed and an officer spotted Lause travelling westbound on Bluerock Drive, but lost sight of him. Turns out, Lause had turned onto Rocky Point and was spotted again when he ran the red light in excess of 60 MPH and crossed Deer Valley Road. He almost collided with an officer who was northbound Deer Valley Road. Lause’s motorcycle had a very loud exhaust and it was heard most of the time during this incident. When it could not be heard anymore, officers began an area check and located Lause attempting to pull his downed motorcycle from underneath a truck. Lause had lost control of the bike attempting a turn at high speed. Lause suffered only minor injuries, but was extremely intoxicated. The truck he hit suffered no damage, but the motorcycle was extensively damaged. Lause was taken into custody and it was learned he was currently on probation for several prior DUI’s. Lause was cleared at a hospital and later booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/13/16 at 5:34 pm an officer was on routine patrol in the area of W. 7^th St, when he observed 26 year old Todd Allen in front of a residence. The officer knew Allen had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Allen was contacted and arrested without incident. Allen was transported to county jail on the warrant.
• ·On 8/13/16 at 9:30 am officers responded to the report that 34 year old David Thomason was in the intersection of W 9th and J Streets trying to fight everyone he saw. Officers arrived on scene and Thomason was immediately uncooperative. He was also extremely intoxicated and suffering from multiple injuries from an earlier incident. Prior to this incident, Thomason had had called APD to report that he had been robbed by subjects in the neighborhood. He refused to identify any of the responsibles that were known to him or cooperate with officers. He walked inside his apartment and closed the door. This time, he decided to take matters into his own hands and ended up getting assaulted again. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment for his facial injuries. While at the hospital he remained uncooperative to the point that medical staff sedated him. He was going to be held for an extended period and was released. As of this writing, he is still sleeping it off.
• ·On 8/13/16 at 11:35 am an officer was providing extra patrol at Cruisers Saloon on A Street, when he saw 24 year old Thomas Costa inside the bar. The officer knew Costa to have just returned from Oregon and to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Costa was contacted inside the bar and arrested without incident. Costa was booked into county jail on the warrant.
• ·On 8/14/16 at 11:14 am an officer conducted a traffic stop on Cavallo Road and contacted 34 year old Glenn Hopson and 30 year old Chase Yancey. The officer obtained a consent to search the vehicle. During the search officers located two pill bottles containing heroin in the front compartment of the car and tar heroin in a backpack in the trunk of the vehicle. Indicia was located linking the narcotics to both Hopson and Yancey. Both admitted having possession of the heroin. Both were cited and released in the field.
• ·On 8/14/16 at 3:30 pm officers responded to a video alarm at Jim’s Auto Body on W. 10^th Street for a subject seen inside the fenced yard of the business. Arriving officers located 33 year old Moises Sanchez inside the yard in the process of burglarizing vehicles that were there for repairs. Sanchez was arrested without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·On 8/14/16 at 11:38 pm 39 year old Bobby Brown was causing a disturbance on San Gregorio Court and was found to have a warrant for his arrest. Brown was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/15/16 at 2:24 pm officers were dispatched to Sylvia’s Restaurant on Lone Tree Way for the report of an unwanted guest who damaged the window by throwing a rock through it. 36 year old Trent Albright then walked across the street to an open space behind the Quick Stop on W. Tregallas and lit dry grass on fire. Witnesses observed Albright start the fire and followed him as he fled the area. Officers contacted Albright a short distance away and he was positively identified as starting the quarter acre grass fire. There were no injuries or any structures damaged. Fire Investigators arrived and assisted with the investigation. Albright was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/15/16 at 5:30 pm a 32 year old transient male took a bicycle that he said had been abandoned at Heidorn Park for a few days. The bicycle belonged to 20 year old Travon Jackson, who began looking for his bike with several other people. 38 year old Lavenia Holmes drove Jackson and three other males around the area as they looked for the bike. They located the transient and the bike near the 7-11 on Lone Tree Way. All of the subjects confronted the transient who returned the bike to Jackson and told them that an unknown person had sold him the bike. Jackson and the unknown males demanded the transient come with them in their car to help find whoever sold him the bike. The transient refused and began running away from them. Holmes drove their car in pursuit of the transient up Hillcrest Avenue. Once they caught up with him, all of the males jumped out of the car and assaulted him. The victim sustained a large laceration to his head, as well as various small cuts and abrasions to his upper body. Jackson and Holmes were located in the responsible vehicle nearby. Both were identified by the victim and placed under arrest. The other responsibles were not located.
• ·On 8/16/16 at 2:03 am 49 year old Zolton Scott was contacted during a traffic enforcement stop on West 10^th Street. A probation search of Scott’s vehicle revealed 3.3 grams of meth. Scott was issued a citation.
• ·On 8/16/16 at 7:57 am officers contacted 53 year old Jose Sansen in the area of the Quick Stop on Sycamore Drive. A computer check showed he is on probation for drugs and is a sex registrant. Sansen had listed his address at 15 S. Lake Dr. #B over the past two years on his 290 PC registration forms. While he was being detained, Officers went to the S. Lake address to conduct a compliance check and verify his residency. The homeowner was contacted and advised he knows Sansen and knows that he is a sex registrant, but has never allowed him to live at the address. Sansen was ultimately arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/16/16 at 12:20 pm an officer was driving through the Delta Fair Food Maxx lot when he noticed 29 year old Felipe Gonzalez standing near the Super Wine and Liquor store. The officer recognized Gonzalez and knew he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. As the officer attempted to contact Gonzalez, he fled out of the parking lot and into the Elderwinds apartment complex. A perimeter was quickly set up and Officer McDonald and his K9 conducted a track. The K9 tracked right to where Gonzalez was hiding. Gonzalez did not comply and was apprehended (bit) by the K9. Gonzalez was taken into custody without further incident. Gonzalez was medically cleared and sent to county jail.
• ·On 8/16/16 at 2:26 pm Sears Security noticed 39 year old Steven Davenport inside Sears today and detained him as he attempted to steal approximately $124 in clothing. Davenport is on probation for theft related charges and was booked at county jail.
• ·On 8/17/16 at 8:23 am officers were dispatched to 510 W. 10^th Street because a neighbor was reporting that someone from 510 W. 10^th Street was stealing water. It was determined that 510 W. 10^th Street was a vacant building that 25 year old Jesse Perry and a 17 year old male were squatting in. Perry was found to have three warrants for his arrest. The 17 year old originally used his cousin’s name but was identified through fingerprints and was found to have a warrant for his arrest. The building was searched and over 70 debit/credit cards, multiple stolen checks, driver licenses, multiple laptops, cell phones, tablets, a credit card reader were located. They also located a filing cabinet stolen during a burglary in Brentwood from DDS Jeffery Haug. It was determined that Bingham and the 17 year old were involved in a large scale identity theft ring. They were both arrested on numerous fraud charges and for the warrants. Perry was sent to county jail and the 17 year old was sent to juvenile hall.
• ·On 8/17/16 at 9:49 pm an officer attempted a car stop for a vehicle with incorrect plates on Manzanita Way. When he activated his lights the vehicle fled towards Century Blvd. The vehicle continued back into Antioch on Delta Fair and the pursuit was terminated near Gentrytown Drive due to it becoming a hazard. The vehicle had two stolen plates and was occupied by one male who is still outstanding.

According to the Antioch Police calls for service summary in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report, dated August 19, 2016 – On Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 8:23 am officers were dispatched to 510 W. 10th Street because a neighbor was reporting that someone from 510 W. 10th Street was stealing water. It was determined that 510 W. 10th Street was a vacant building that 25 year old Jesse Perry and a 17 year old male were squatting in. Perry was found to have three warrants for his arrest.

The 17 year old originally used his cousin’s name but was identified through fingerprints and was found to have a warrant for his arrest. The building was searched and over 70 debit/credit cards, multiple stolen checks, driver licenses, multiple laptops, cell phones, tablets, a credit card reader were located. They also located a filing cabinet stolen during a burglary in Brentwood from DDS Jeffery Haug.

It was determined that Bingham and the 17 year old were involved in a large scale identity theft ring. They were both arrested on numerous fraud charges and for the warrants. Perry was sent to county jail and the 17 year old was sent to juvenile hall.

Jeff Belle, source Contra Costa County Board of Education

By Allen Payton

County School Board Member Jeff Belle, who has been charged and is being prosecuted for lying on his ballot statement during his 2014 campaign, was denied a request for participation in a diversion program in July.

In his 2014 campaign ballot statement, Belle claimed to have a college degree, but he didn’t at the time.

In July, he filed a motion to compel diversion. Belled wanted to enter a new Contra Costa District Attorney program designed to divert people from the criminal justice system. However, the DA’s office filed a response and turned him down.

Belle then requested the court to demand that the DA comply with his request, but it was also declined.

A pre-trial conference to discuss a resolution of the case was scheduled, but Belle’s attorney was unable to attend. So, it was postponed eight weeks at Belle’s request, until sometime in late September or early October.

He continues to fight the charge over which he has plead not guilty and faces trial. The maximum penalty Belle faces is a $1,000 fine and no jail time. It’s a fine only misdemeanor.

Attempts to reach Belle for this article were unsuccessful.

For more information about this case, please see the articles here and here.