By Sergeant Mike Hulsey #2356, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 8:28 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the Duch Pride Gas and Food Mart at 507 E. 18th Street, for a subject reported to have been shot and his vehicle taken. Officers contacted the victim, a 23-year-old Antioch man, at the above location and he appeared to have a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim would only state that an unknown male shot him and took his vehicle. The victim was taken to John Muir Medical Center for treatment.

There are no suspects at this time and the case is still being investigated.

You may contact the Investigations Bureau at 925.779.6926 with any tips. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at approximately 7:40 PM, Antioch Police Department patrol officers responded to a residence in the 4500 block of Horseshoe Circle on a report of a burglary in progress. When officers arrived, they found several subjects fleeing the home. One of the suspects was apprehended a short distance away in possession of a backpack full of fresh marijuana. During a security sweep of the victim residence, evidence of a large scale marijuana cultivation operation was located inside. Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 530 marijuana plants from the home along with marijuana cultivation equipment. 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 Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6941. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This article was not published, last week, as it was confused for a police press release about another  shooting, earlier that same day.

By Sgt. Mike Hulsey, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Monday, May 19, 2014 at approximately 8:40 pm, Officers responded to the area of Sycamore Dr. for reports of gunshots heard in the area. Officers located the victim, a 21-year-old male, in the 1500 block of Sycamore Drive and he appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds. Several bullet casings were also located in the area. The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition. There are no suspects at this time and the case is still being investigated.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch Police Department Civilian Employee of the Year Virginia Johnson and Officer of the Year James Colley.  photo courtesy of Antioch Police Department

James Colley is Antioch Police Officer of the Year

By John Crowder

On Thursday, May 15, the Antioch Police Department honored their outstanding employees, retirees, and citizens who had contributed to the success of the department at a ceremony held in City Hall.

Acting Captain Aguinaga (left), who was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, with Lt. Robin Kelley.  photo courtesy of APD

Captain Leonard Orman opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone, and later acknowledging the local dignitaries in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Acting Captain Diane Aguinaga, and an invocation was given by Reverend Robert Rien of Antioch’s St. Ignatius Church.

Chief Allan Cantando presented the awards during the ceremony. As each person being honored was called forward, he made a point of sharing a personal story and thanking them for their contributions. Officer James Colley was selected by his peers as the Officer of the Year, while Virginia Johnson was named the Civilian employee of the Year. Distinguished Service Awards went to Acting Captain Aguinaga and Sergeant Tarra Nissen, while Officer Ryan Andelin was recognized for 10 years of service.

Several officers received Meritorious Service Awards, including Officers Wardell Carter, Ted Chang, Rick Hofman, Martin Hynes, Christopher Kidd, Kristopher Kint, James Perkinson, and Police K9 “Bo.” Virginia Johnson was also recognized for her work in Support Services, while Frank Rupani was honored as Reserve Sergeant.

Chief Allan Cantando with retiring Sergeants Mitch Schwitters and Robert Quintero. photo courtesy of Antioch Police Department

Three officers and a civilian were recognized for acting to save lives, including Officers Meghan Miller, Shawn Morin, and Ryan McDonald, and citizen Kevin Brady. Brady and McDonald had worked together to save the life of Brady’s neighbor, Donald Cooper, after he suffered a heart attack last year at his residence.

Two people received Citizen Service Citations. Roxanna Ramirez Del Rio was honored for her role in helping Antioch police quickly locate a young girl who had been kidnapped earlier this year. Emphasizing how critical time is in such cases, Chief Cantando noted that Del Rio’s action had saved the girl’s life.

Hailey Hartrick, a 12-year-old Antioch girl, was also lauded for her efforts to raise money for ballistic vests for the K9 unit. Hartrick ended up raising close to $12,000 for the cause by hosting numerous fundraising events.

Reserve Officer Chris Ming retired after more than 29 years with the Antioch Police Department. photo courtesy of APD

Cantando also presented plaques to retirees. They included medical retirements for Sergeant Scott Freier and Officers Diane Freier, Preston Garcia, Chris Walters, and Joe Zanarini. Chris Ming retired as a Reserve Officer. Service retirements included Captain Steve McConnell, Lieutenant Pat Welch, Sergeants Steve Bias, Robert Quintero, and Mitch Schwitters, Officers Vince Augusta and Kevin Kollo and Lead Dispatchers Karen Rezentes and Maria Spainhower.

By Acting Sergeant John Fortner, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Monday, May 19, 2014, at 11:46 A.M., Antioch Police responded to Hudson Court and Fairview Avenue on a report of gun shots heard in the area. Upon arrival officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and transported to a local area hospital.

Witnesses reported hearing five to six gun shots and observing a dark colored vehicle driving away from the area immediately following the gun fire. The vehicle was last seen driving southbound on Fairview Avenue towards Somersville Road. An area search for this vehicle was conducted but it was not be located. There is no suspect information at this time.

The victim is being treated at a local area hospital for serious, but non life-threatening gunshot wounds.

This incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Investigations Bureau at 925-779-6926. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH in the body of the text.

Drive car through front window

By Lieutenant Don La Due, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Thursday, May 15, 2014 at approximately 5:54 A.M., the Antioch Police Department responded to an alarm at the CVS at 2511 Somersville Road. There was additional information that a vehicle had been driven through the front window of the business and a burglary had occurred. Officers located a vehicle in the area believed to be involved in the CVS burglary and engaged in a vehicle pursuit with it that began in Antioch and was ultimately terminated in the Concord/Walnut Creek area.

Antioch PD detained one subject from the vehicle prior to the pursuit. Walnut Creek PD located and detained two other subjects in their jurisdiction which were later determined to be the other occupants of the vehicle APD pursued. Those two were also arrested. The vehicle was also located.

No other details are being released at this time regarding the suspects or the burglary pending further investigation by APD Detectives.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Lt. John VanderKlugt, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau Commander

On Monday, May 12, 2014 at 2:14 P.M., Antioch Police responded to the area of the 400 block of West 19th Street on a report of gun shots heard in the area. Upon arrival officers were advised that an adult male, Antioch resident had in fact been shot and that the 22-year-old victim was being transported to the hospital by a friend.

Witnesses reported to officers that a Hispanic male adult approximately 5’ 10” with long brown hair and wearing a gray shirt was seen running from the area immediately following the gun fire. This individual was last seen running towards West 18th Street and A Street. An area search for this individual was conducted but he could not be located.

The victim is being treated at a local area hospital for a non life threatening gun shot wound.

If you have any information about this incident, please call the Investigations Bureau at 925-779-6926. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Lt. John VanderKlugt, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 5:53 p.m., the Antioch Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery in the 1300 block of Larkspur Drive. The four Hispanic male suspects in this incident were said to have fled the area in a white sedan.

Responding officers quickly located the vehicle and a short pursuit ensued, culminating with the arrest of three of the four suspects in the area of Country Hills Drive and Knoll Park. Due to the age of the arrested parties, their names are not available for release.

There were no injuries sustained by the victim, suspects or officers involved in this incident.

This incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.