By Corporal R. Martin #3343, Antioch Police

On Monday, May 18, 2015, at approximately 11:39 P.M., Antioch Police Officers responded to the 1300 block of Sycamore Drive on a report of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Officers arrived on scene and contacted both involved parties. The pedestrian, a 42-year-old female Antioch resident, sustained major injuries and was transported to John Muir Hospital. The driver, a 57–year old male Antioch resident, was on scene and cooperated with the investigation.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the female pedestrian was actually riding a scooter in the opposing lanes of traffic when she was struck by the vehicle. Alcohol or drugs does not appear to be involved in this incident. No status of the female pedestrian is available at this time.

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.

Police crime scene tape covers the teller window where the robbery occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank branch in the Deer Valley Safeway store, Saturday night, May 16. photo by Allen Payton

Shawn McGee, Sr.

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, May 16, 2015 at approximately 6:15 P.M, a male walked into the Safeway store on Deer Valley Road and approached a teller at the Wells Fargo bank branch inside the store. The suspect produced a firearm and demanded money from the bank employee. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money and fled the store. The suspect got into a nearby vehicle and fled north on Hillcrest Avenue.

A witness to the robbery followed the suspect as he entered westbound Highway 4 and was able to provide Antioch Police Dispatch with a license plate, description and location of the vehicle. Antioch Police Officers intercepted the vehicle and attempted an enforcement stop. The suspect vehicle did not yield and a pursuit ensued involving both Antioch Police Officers and Officers from the California Highway Patrol.

The pursuit came to an end in Oakland when the suspect ran from the vehicle and into an apartment in the 10500 block of Topanga Drive. This was not the suspect’s residence and he took a resident hostage. Oakland Police Department’s SWAT team responded to address the standoff. Eventually the hostage was able to escape and Oakland Police were able to affect the arrest of the suspect without incident. There were no injuries as a result of this incident. The money stolen from the bank was recovered. Antioch PD Investigators were in Oakland coordinating the cooperative investigation with Oakland PD, CHP and the FBI.

An Antioch Police Officer interviews a witness inside the Deer Valley Safeway store following a robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank branch. photo by Allen Payton

Shawn McGee, Sr., age 51 of Oakland, was arrested and booked into Contra Costa County jail on multiple charges, including robbery, burglary, making terrorist threats, unlawful imprisonment and felony evading of police.

The bank branch was forced to close early for the investigation of the robbery.

The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau.

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

Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando (right) speaks about Officer of the Year Michael Mortimer, as Civilian Employee of the Year Ana Cortez looks on, during the annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

By Allen Payton

Police Chief Allan Cantando presented the awards for Officer of the Year to Michael Mortimer and Civilian Employee of the Year to Ana Cortez, an Administrative Analyst with the Antioch Police Department, during the annual awards ceremony on Thursday afternoon, May 14 in the Antioch City Council Chambers.

Antioch Police Department’s 2015 Civilian Employee of the Year Ana Cortez.

In addition, Meritorious Service Awards were presented to the following police officers: Mathew Allendorph, Daniel Fachner, Daniel Hopwood, Christopher Kidd, Thomas Lenderman, Zechariah Matis, John Ramirez, Amel Sahnic and Marcos Torres.

Service Retirements included Shirley Head and Rodger McKeon. Medical Retirements included Devany Dee, Christopher Valliere, as well as Jason Joannides and his K-9 Vera.

A special commendation was given to Jeannine Girard, and honors were given to Kermit Kerr and Sue Haro of the Volunteers In Police Services, as well as Richard Augusta and William Cook of the Police Crime Prevention Commission.

Please check back later for more details.

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations

On Monday, May 11, 2015 at 7:44 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the 4900 block of Ridgeview Drive on the report of a burglary in progress. The homeowner advised she was in the home holding her baby when she saw an intruder enter her home through an unlocked door.

She fled out of the front of the house with her baby. Upon fleeing she had left her four-year-old daughter behind in the house. Officers arrived, conducted an interior check of the residence and located the four-year-old at the top of the stairs. The child was directed to go outside to her mother as officers continued to check inside. The four-year-old daughter told her mother, who then alerted the officers that the intruder was hiding in the little girl’s bedroom closet. Upon checking the little girls bedroom, they located 21-year-old Antioch transient male, Demaria Lopez hiding in the closet.

Lopez would not comply with commands. A brief struggle ensued and Lopez was taken into custody without further incident. Lopez was transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of burglary and resisting arrest. There were no injuries to any involved.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Det. McManus with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6940. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Corporal R. Martin #3343, Antioch Police

On Monday, May 11, 2015, at approximately 5:39 PM, Antioch Police officers responded to the intersection of Medanos and W. 11th Streets on a report of a hit and run collision involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival a 47-year-old male Antioch resident was located in the street with major injuries. Witnesses provided a description of the responsible vehicle and driver. The vehicle was located abandoned. The 19-year-old male driver of the vehicle, also an Antioch resident, was located a short time later and placed under arrest. The pedestrian was transported to John Muir Hospital where he had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The responsible driver was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on various charges.

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.

By Corporal Powell Meads, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, May 1st, 2015 at approximately 6:28 PM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to a drive-by shooting that occurred at the intersection of “A” and East 19th Streets. The victim was driving with his family (Ages 60, 31, 11, and 7) when they were shot at by occupants of another vehicle for no apparent reason. The victim’s car was struck by gunfire, but no one inside was injured.

The victims provided Officers with a vehicle and suspect description, as well as a direction of flight. Officers in the area located the suspect vehicle parked a few blocks away in a residential neighborhood, and were able to detain several suspects in close proximity to the vehicle. The victims identified two of the detained suspects as being involved in the shooting, and they were taken into custody. The gun believed to be used in the shooting was also recovered.

The investigation is ongoing, and the names of the involved parties are being withheld during the investigation.

Anyone who may has information or witnessed this shooting is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 60th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. The event will occur on Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the San Joaquin Ave/El Rey/West Tregallas Road neighborhoods.

This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

Volunteers should report to Lone Tree Plaza for parking.(2734 West Tregallas Road).

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community.

By Sergeant William Dee, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 6:45 p.m. Antioch emergency dispatchers received a call of a drive by shooting near the area of Manzanita Way and Sycamore Drive. Upon arrival they discovered a 17-year-old Hispanic male suffering from a gunshot wound.

The shooting was determined to have occurred while the victim and other subjects sat in a car. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital where he is in serious, but stable condition.

The case is still under investigation at this time. Anyone with any information is urged to call the Antioch Police Department at 925-778-2441.