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.

By Acting Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:51 p.m., Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a group of people fighting in the street in the 500 block of West 18th Street, next to Antioch Middle School. Witnesses advised police that a car containing males and at least one female stopped in the road and got into a physical altercation with a group of pedestrians.

During the altercation a 16-year-old female was stabbed multiple times. The suspects in this case returned to their vehicle, described as a light colored four door Honda Civic, and left the area.

In a possibly related incident, one witness reported seeing a group of people get out of a white, four-door vehicle stopped in the east bound lane of West 18th Street, near D Street, at the same location, just minutes later, and across the street toward a male and female on the sidewalk. One of the males was brandishing what appeared to be a butterfly stiletto knife. However, a driver, stopped in the westbound lane, honked his horn and the people ran back to the car, got in and drove off, without any physical contact occurring with the intended victims.

The stabbing victim was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. She was treated for her injuries, which were determined to be non-life threatening.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Dept. at (925) 778-2441. If you have information regarding this case you may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Corporal James McMurry #2384, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 11:16 a.m., Antioch Police Officers responded to numerous 911 calls reporting a motorcycle collision at Contra Loma Blvd. And St. Francis Drive. When Officers arrived on scene they located the victim suffering from major head trauma. The 22-year-old male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Based on witness statements, it appears speed may have played a role in the collision. There were other motorcycle riders with the victim but they were not involved in the collision. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. It is not known at this time if alcohol played a role in the collision.

If anyone has information that is related to this case, they can call the Antioch Police Department’s non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. The Lead Investigator is Officer E. Johnsen #4265.

Dylan Rath

At about 9:43 AM Saturday, April 18, 2015, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol Unit was notified that the motorcycle rider missing since last Sunday was located by a family friend about a half-mile southeast of the Antioch bridge.

Marine Patrol units responded to the location and recovered a male body from the water.

The Coroner’s Division later took custody of the body and is confirming identity. An autopsy into the exact cause of death will also be performed.

At about 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, April 12, the motorcyclist, Dylan Rath, collided with a car and was tossed over the west side of the bridge and down into the river, below.

A search by authorities was begun that day, and was continued with the assistance of family members and friends, at the family’s request, until today.

Rath leaves behind his fiancee, their three month old daughter, for whom a GoFundMe account has been set up for financial support, his mother, and father, as well his brother, who was riding with him and a family friend, at the time of the accident. To donate to the GoFundMe account for Aria Rose Rath, please click here.

A tribute to Dylan will be held at Dos Rios Bar & Grill, 422 West Second Street in downtown Antioch, tonight, Saturday night, April 18 beginning at 9 p.m. However, his family members will not be attending.

No further information is being released at this time.

Starts July 15th – Applications accepted through April

By Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our very first Citizens Academy.

The Citizens Academy provides an opportunity for community members to meet the police officers who protect and serve our city. The intent is to educate the community on the duties, training, investigation techniques and situations police officers and other members of the police department may encounter.

Those who attend the academy will be given the opportunity to participate in some of the activities police officers perform as part of their every day duties. Hands on experiences include fingerprinting, defensive tactics, interacting with a K-9 and handler, and riding along with an officer.

Join us for a unique learning experience. The Antioch Police Department Citizens Academy affords “Knowledge through Exposure and Experience.”

– Applications will be accepted during the month of April.

– Class space is limited to 20 students.

– Classes start July 15th.

– Classes are Wednesday evenings and two Saturdays

QUALIFICATIONS

– Minimum age of 18 years old

– Resident of Antioch

– No felony convictions

– No misdemeanor convictions within 1 year of applying

– Must commit to attend all 10 sessions

To download the application, click here: Citizens-Academy-App

By Allen Payton

Antioch Police responded to a domestic violence call at the home of County School Board Trustee Jeff Belle, late Saturday night. Belle was temporarily detained by police, but no arrest was made.

In a brief phone conversation with Belle’s wife, Carmen, at 10:49 p.m., she said Jeff got in her face, so she pushed him away. He grabbed her arm, so she slapped him and he slapped her back. She then called police.

Sunday UPDATE: Jeff Belle responded on Sunday, with a statement, refuting his wife’s allegations.

“I never touched her. She attacked me while I was reading in bed. God is my witness – I never touched her, instead she hit me several times. She was angry that her daughter didn’t return home,” he wrote in a text.

When asked if it was all her fault, he wrote, “Yes! I don’t fight with women or men. I don’t slander or curse others. I never raised my hand or voice.”

“I was not detained by police. In fact I was in the bed all the time they were here. I never slapped her, if I had, they would have arrested me,” he stated. “We should talk about issues of concern to the people. This is just bedroom drama.”

Detained does not mean arrested. It means the police had him for questioning, which could have occurred at the home, while he was in bed.

In a final comment about the incident, Carmen Belle wrote in a text, “Of course he blames everything on me. The police officer told Jeff to shut up. That he did not care who he knew, when he started to say he knows all the big people across the country.”

Check back for any updates from Antioch Police.