Following the Contra Costa County Chiefs’ of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of Dewayne Deshawn Ward Jr. This incident occurred on February 3, 2015 in Contra Costa County.

The proceedings will convene on June 23, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., at the A.F. Bray Courthouse, 1020 Ward Street, Dept. 7, Room 2012, Martinez, California.

The purpose of the inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is to present the facts of the incident to a jury for their deliberation and finding on the manner of death.

The inquest is open to the public and members of the media are invited to attend. However, no photographs or video/audio recording may be taken during the proceedings.

By Allen Payton

Former Antioch police officers want to work on the cold case of Suzanne Bombardier, who was 14 when she was murdered on June 22, 1980, after being kidnapped, raped and stabbed through the heart. Her body was later discovered after being dumped in the river.

Greg Glod, a former Antioch Police Detective, who spent 26 years with the Secret Service and is now the Deputy Director for Threat Analysis of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., is spearheading the effort. Joining him are retired Antioch Police Sgt. Larry Hopwood and Detective Ron Rackley.

“There are suspects in the case that can be investigated,” stated Glod, who was a juvenile sexual assault detective at the time and worked the case.

According to Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons, who wrote about the case, earlier this year:

“Thirty-five years ago this June, Suzanne Bombardier was babysitting her nieces in Antioch, California. She was talking to a friend of hers, then around 1:30 in the morning said she was ‘really beat’ and was going to bed. It was the last time anyone talked to her. Sometime between 1:30 and four, Suzie (as she was known to her family and friends) was kidnapped. Her body was found several days later in the Delta. It was an incredibly sad moment in Contra Costa history, foreshadowing the kidnappings of other girls (Tara Burke, Amber Swartz, Illene Mischelhoff, Michaela Garecht and Nikki Campbell) and boys (Mitchell Owens and Kevin Collins).

I have an interest in this story: Susie is buried near my grandparents at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. I wrote about her in Salon, which was republished on Alternet.org.

Following is an excerpt from Gibbons’ article:

“They lived in Antioch, California. These days, it’s known as the city where Phillip Garrido held Jaycee Dugard hostage for 18 years.

When her sister Stephanie got home that night, the house looked fine. There were no signs of a struggle or forced entry. Suzanne wasn’t on the couch, but her sister figured Suzanne had fallen asleep with the girls while putting them down. Her sister headed to bed. It wasn’t until the next day when their mother called, looking for Suzanne, that they both began to worry. The only trace of her was her suitcase still near the couch.

They called the police. There were no signs of a forced struggle or entry. They had to wait 24 hours until they could start searching (customary back in 1980) . On June 27, her report card arrived in the mail. She received straight A’s, ending up on the honor roll. The same day a body was spotted by a fisherman in the San Joaquin River near Antioch. Suzanne’s stepfather identified the body. She had been stabbed through the heart. Her killer was never found.”

According to other news reports, at that time, “On Friday June 27th, a nude body was found in the nearby San Joaquin river. Dental records provided by the family confirmed the body was indeed Suzie’s. She had been stabbed. The gold necklace she wore was missing.

Antioch police questioned several suspects including a boy named Terry. Terry, according to Suzie’s best friend Leesa Metznger, was a boy Suzie was seeing. He was slightly older. He had an alibi which was checked out by the police. Other suspects were cleared as well.”

Bombardier’s case was profiled, last year, on the Defrosting Cold Cases website for their case of the month, the Antioch Herald, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Gibbons also had a commentary about Susie, broadcast on KQED.

“Susie’s murder took place during a time when police services were cut back, and although her case received attention,” Gibbons added, “It didn’t get national attention like Elizabeth Smart or other missing children.”

“We just need Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando to allow us to help his department,” he said. “There would be no cost to the public and we could get started, right away.”

Cantando spoke about the idea of a cold case unit made up of retired police officers.

“It’s something that we’re not going to consider,” he stated. “That model doesn’t work for us. We don’t have the staffing. They have this back east, where they have larger departments. These volunteers are not the ones who are going out and doing the work. They’re basically reading the reports and giving paid staff direction to go out and follow up on leads.”

“We’re in the process, right now trying to fight violent crime,” said Cantando. “We’re not alone. There aren’t a lot of departments doing this.”

“Periodically we review our cold cases,” he added.

Glod responded to Cantando’s comments, in an email.

“There are numerous police departments in the United States and California, effectively utilizing retired police officers and criminal researchers to support cold case units,” he stated. “They support the police departments by spending the endless hours of reviewing the cases, developing leads and research to provide the support that the detectives and officers do not have the time to conduct.”

“Charlotte, North Carolina’s retired cold case unit, was presented a distinguished service award by the Department of Justice in Washington, DC for their involvement in solving numerous cold cases,” Glod argued. “This model has repeatedly proven to be effective in departments of all sizes. This concept is strongly recommended to law enforcement by the Department of Justice, the International Association of Police and National Institute of Justice, all recommending the utilization of retired detectives and police officers as a strategic means to support policing now and in the future.” Implementing a Cold Case Unit  Cold Case Squads

“In addition, the National Institute of Justice provides grant funding to police departments for this cold case unit concept,” he offered. “In a recent publication in Volunteers in Police Service, an article titled ‘An Emerging Sector in Law Enforcement, Volunteers in Investigations’ profiles the success across the country with the utilization of retired local, state and federal law enforcement professionals.” VIPS article

“There is a baby boom generation of retired law enforcement and professionals from other related fields in Contra Costa County that would be more than willing to provide volunteer assistance to the City of Antioch,” Glod continued. “This resource must be utilized in the police culture, such cities as Antioch, who are currently experiencing high crime rates. Crime is not only stopped by additional police and detectives on the street, but also behind the scenes with a cadre of experienced and dedicated volunteer professionals, who support the operational mission of policing, thus improving the identification and conviction of criminals.”

“With regards to budget constraints and high crime there needs to be creative and new strategic thinking in law enforcement, many departments in the United States are developing the methodologies,” he added.

“The tragic murder of Suzanne Bombardier, a beautiful, 14-year old girl from Antioch, who was so full of life, which was horrifically cut short, should never be forgotten by the citizens of Antioch, California,” Glod concluded. “This case clearly needs to be reopened by the law enforcement authorities in Antioch and Contra Costa County. They should leave no stone unturned until this case is solved and justice served for Suzanne and her family and friends who have suffered for so many years.”

Rackley summed up the interest the retired officers have in the case.

“We want closure for the family and ourselves, too,” said Rackley, who took the original report. “We believe there are still more investigative leads available.”

In response, Cantando said, “If they have any leads, they haven’t shared them with us, yet. If anyone else out there has any leads on this case, they need to contact the Antioch Police Department with their information. They can call Lt. Morefield at (925) 779-6929.”

“This case is not closed and we work cold cases (including this case), but we do have to prioritize in order to optimize our effectiveness,” he added. “When new leads are presented to us, we follow up on them. Lastly, we do not release information to the media that we are working a specific cold case in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”

 

 

Jeremy Newberry crashes

By Mike Adaskaveg

Shawn Arriaga of Antioch made a daring last lap, last turn, inside pass to snatch victory away from San Jose’s Art McCarthy in the Northern All Stars Winged Sprint Car main event, Saturday night, June 6, 2015, at Antioch Speedway. Back to back thrills came as Scott Busby battled Kyle Wilson side by side for nearly half of the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) modified stock car main event prior to Arriaga’s Win.

Early in the program, Larry Damitz of Vallejo dodged spinning cars and fender-benders to win the Northern All Stars Limited Late Model Feature. In the Hobby Stock main event, Kimo Oreta of Vacaville came from the back of the pack after changing a flat tire to top leader Chris Sorensen of El Sobrante.

The Northern All Stars Wingless Sprint Car feature had to be red-flagged with leader Jim Perry III being awarded the win after a two-car backstretch flips involving Kyle Bakkie III of Citrus Heights and Jeremy Newberry of Brentwood.

McCarthy Admonishes Arriaga in Victory Lane

“That wasn’t cool!” veteran sprint car racer McCarthy said to Arriaga as the two met in victory lane. Young Arriaga tried to hug McCarthy after the win. At first McCarthy shunned Arriaga’s gesture.

The move, in which Arriaga used every inch inside of McCarthy and the inner edge of the track, could have sent both cars into a spin or worse.

“I didn’t mean to race like that – it’s the last lap of a short track race – it kind of takes over your instincts,” Arriaga told McCarthy

Fans hooted and hollered a full ten minutes after the race.

“I had a head of steam going into the last turn,” Arriaga tried to explain. “I tried to hug Art (McCarthy) on the inside. It turned to be very risky.”

Third place Dustin Golobic of Fremont had the bird’s eye view of the move. He was waiting for the miscue that would hand him the win. It was his first race at Antioch Speedway.

“If it had gone a few more laps, I know I would have caught the both of them,” said Golobic, who came on strong in the last five laps, passing Jeremy Burt from Grass Valley in the process. “It was fun to be where I was and see what happened in front of me.”

When the drivers calmed down, smiles prevailed, and McCarthy got philosophical about the win being taken from him.

“It is what it is,” he said. “Shawn is like a son to me. It isn’t good to give up a race that you led from start to the last lap. If I’m going to be beaten like that, I’d rather it be Shawn (Arriaga) who did it.

Busby Knows the Speedway Better than Anyone

Scott Busby is a living legend in California stock car racing and is said to be the state’s most winning driver of all time. He showed newcomer Kyle Wilson of Salinas that he still had a few tricks as the two raced side-by-side and clean for the checkered flag in the IMCA Modified feature.

“He (Busby) has been racing and winning since well before I was born,” said 21-year-old Wilson. “With him having all those years of experience, I was smiling that I was able to race alongside him like that.”

A tense moment on the last lap saw Clarence Holbrook of Galt spin sideways in the third and fourth turns, with Busby backing off just enough to miss him while keeping ahead of Wilson

Busby just picked off drivers one by one until he reached Wilson.

“I was worried in the beginning because I had to come from the back,” Busby said. “But it turned out to be a great race – all the guys drove their lines. I was able to run down low or up high. It was a great race on a great track.”

Busby offered compliments and encouragement to Wilson in victory lane.

“If you had won, I would be just as happy as I am now,” Busby told Wilson. “The day is coming when our first and second place finishes will be reversed.”

Third went to Bobby Motts of San Pablo, closely followed by Carl Berendsen and Mike Salazar, both from Antioch.

Crazy Night of Crashes for Wingless Sprinters

“There were quite a few nasty crashes to avoid,” said Wingless Sprint Car Feature winner Jim Perry III of Concord. “Luckily I was in the front of the pack most of the time.”

The first incident resulting in a car turning over was when Marcus Smith of Manteca and Kyle Standley from Marysville tangled in the third turn. Smith went for a tumble and Standley was able to continue. On the restart, it was Standley flipping on the front stretch.

After more than half the event was completed, Newberry and Bakkie both entered into a frightening double flip down the backstretch. None of the drivers were injured.

After a prolonged red flag, Perry was named winner of the event.

“We had all the bugs worked out of the car, and it was able to perform well enough to stay up front,” Perry III added. Alan Miranda of Fairfield was second.

Damitz Untouchable

The oldest race driver continuously competing in a top division, Damitz continued the winning ways he began in 1952. His car smashed front and rear, he was able to win the Limited Late Model Feature with a quarter lap lead over second place Paul Hanley of Emerald Hills and Alamo’s John Evans, who finished third.

Top cars crashed or suffered mechanical failure. Eliminated were front-runners Brian Zachary of Oakley, Mike Gustafson of Concord, Mark Garner of Antioch and Mike Hynes of Suisun City.

“I don’t understand what happened out there tonight,” Damitz said. “But it was a terrible night for those guys.”

Oreta Comeback

Oreta raced the first half of the race with a softening tire after he made contact with a competitor on the opening lap. In the meantime, Sorensen, in his first race since 2010, began thinking the race was his.

While Sorenson and fellow season first-timer Brent Curran of Antioch raced one-two, Oreta started back in the pack of the 15 car field. The tire change put him in the rear with about 10 laps to go.

“No, no, no, I didn’t ever think I would catch him or win after having a flat tire,” Oreta said in victory lane. “When I came back out I found the groove down low that no one was running in. I put the tire on the inside hump of the track and raced as hard as I could.”

Oreta knew driving the shortest distance around the oval would pay off, and it did. Sorenson was passed late in the race and had to settle for second, with Curran, Russell Shearer of Bay Point and Frank Furtado of Antioch following.

“I tried,” Sorenson said in victory lane. “Kimo has a great car and he is a great driver. It’s been a long time for me – but I’ll be back.”

IMCA Modifieds, DIRTcar Late Models Return This Saturday Night

The fastest stock car classes on dirt – the IMCA Modifieds and the DIRTcar Late Models headline the five-division show Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The Hobby Stock, Dwarf Car aqnd Vintage Hard Top classes will complete the card. All five divisions will have qualifying races and feature events.

Antioch Speedway is located within the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th St. in Antioch, Calif. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $10 for children 6-12. Children under six years old are admitted free. A family four pack of tickets is $40. Secured parking is offered by the Fairgrounds for $5. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.ovalmotorsports.com.

By Corporal R. Martin #3343, Antioch Police Department

On Tuesday, June 02, 2015, at approximately 9:00 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the intersection of Gentrytown Drive and Johnson Drive on the report of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Officers arrived on scene and contacted both involved parties. The pedestrian, a 14-year old female Antioch resident, sustained major injuries. She was transported to Oakland Children’s Hospital. The driver, a 20-year old male Antioch resident, was on scene and cooperative with the investigation. Alcohol or drugs does not appear to be involved in this incident.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441 or Corporal R. Martin at 925-779-6900 ext.83343. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

No further information will be released at this time.

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

The Antioch police Department presented this case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office this afternoon. The DA’s Office has filed the following 16 charges against Horacio Gutierrez:

– Kidnapping for Extortion (4 counts)

– False Imprisonment

– Carjacking

– Attempted Carjacking (4 counts)

– Brandishing a Firearm at a Police Officer

– Auto Theft

– Possession of Stolen Property

– Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)

– Enhancement for Prior Prison

Gutierrez’s bail is now set at $4,805,000.

No further information will be released at this time.

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 11:05 AM a black Nissan Maxima being driven by 35 year old Horacio Gutierrez crashed into a parked vehicle in the 1600 block of W. 10th Street in Antioch. The Nissan was an unreported stolen vehicle out of Walnut Creek. The owner was unaware at the time that the vehicle had been stolen.

After the collision, Gutierrez ran to Mike’s Auto Body at the corner of Auto Center Drive and W. 10th Street. Gutierrez forced an employee out of his personal vehicle (gold Honda Accord) at gun point and then took the vehicle and drove to Concord where he abandoned that vehicle. Gutierrez left an additional firearm behind in the vehicle at the crash on 10th Street.

At 1155 hours Brentwood Officers relocated Gutierrez now in Brentwood and driving a burgundy Honda Accord. Brentwood Officers initiated a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued with Antioch Officers assisting. Once CHP air support arrived, patrol units backed out of the pursuit. Gutierrez continued westbound by way of HWY 4 and surface streets to Pittsburg. After the deployment of spike strips on the vehicle in Pittsburg, the CHP re-engaged the pursuit eastbound on HWY 4 to Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch where Gutierrez exited.

Gutierrez crashed into a wall under the overpass at that location. Gutierrez immediately attempted to car jack another motorist, but was unsuccessful. A CHP officer challenged Gutierrez, who then pointed his gun at the officer. The officer fired one shot at Gutierrez, but he was not hit. The burgundy Honda is suspected to be stolen as well, but investigators have yet been able to confirm this.

Gutierrez ran south on Contra Loma Blvd toward the ARCO gas station on the corner of Contra Loma Blvd and Buchanan Road. Along the way he attempted to carjack several other motorists, but was unsuccessful. Gutierrez ran into the ARCO station where he took the 75 year old owner and his 48 year old employee hostage in a back office.

Area streets were cordoned off and businesses in the area were evacuated by the police. Antioch Police Department’s SWAT team was mobilized and quickly took command of the scene. Contact was established with Gutierrez by Antioch PD Hostage negotiators. Gutierrez made demands to arrange his escape and eventually released one of the hostages. Talks continued with Gutierrez for a little over 3 hours and ended with Gutierrez ultimately releasing the remaining hostage and surrendering. With the exception of Gutierrez complaint of an injured shoulder from one of his collisions, no involved parties were injured during this entire chain of events.

Gutierrez was also found to be wanted on a $300,000 warrant out of the city of Tracy for auto theft, carjacking and brandishing a weapon.

Gutierrez was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez on an array of charges to include Assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, kidnapping, auto theft and felony evading with a bail in excess of $1,000,000. Antioch Police Detectives plan on filing the case with the District Attorney’s Office tomorrow.

No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Luke Johnson

Antioch Police are currently involved in a hostage standoff at the ARCO gas station on Contra Loma Blvd. and Buchanan Road in Antioch. The SWAT is on site. Highway 4 is closed in the east bound lanes, in that area.

According to witnesses, a man was seen fleeing in a car from police and engaging in a shootout with them. He then crashed his car near the ARCO station and attempted to steal a car, but failed. He then ran into the gas station. One of the witnesses who spoke to the Herald, was the man whose car the shooter and hostage taker attempted to steal. There are about 15 to 20 police and CHP vehicles on site. Buchanan and Fitzuren are closed, as well as Contra Loma from Highway 4 to south of Buchanan.

According to other news reports the suspect is holding four hostages and is threatening to go out in a blaze of glory and will shoot it out with police.

Please check back for more details or follow this story as it develops, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/antiochheraldca.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

By Acting Sergeant Mortimer #2843, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at approximately 4:30 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a residence in the 5400 block of Mojave Way on a report of a possible marijuana grow house. The homeowner contacted APD because he arrived at the listed residence to conduct a “48hr notice of inspection prior to termination of tenancy.” The homeowner requested APD assistance to make sure the residence was secure as the homeowner suspected his tenants were growing marijuana inside. When officers entered the home they discovered the house was completely converted into an illicit marijuana cultivation operation. There was no one located inside of the home and it appears as if the tenants had left days prior.

Investigators were called to the scene and ultimately seized approximately 495 marijuana plants from the home and observed the tenants were bypassing the electrical meter, stealing the power needed to grow the marijuana. The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Hoffman with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6931. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.