On June 26, 2023 at around 1:58 p.m., Brentwood PD officers responded to the 5600 block of Lone Tree Way to investigate a silent hold up alarm at the Patelco Credit Union. Upon officer’s arrival, it was determined what appears to be a Hispanic female adult passed a note to the bank teller demanding money. The suspect then fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
At around 3:53 p.m., Antioch PD officers responded to the 2700 block of Lone Tree Way to investigate another silent hold up alarm at the Travis Credit Union. Upon their arrival, it was determined what appears to be the same female suspect passed a note to the bank teller again demanding money. The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money. Antioch PD Officers believe the suspect may have fled in a gray four-door Honda or Nissan with tinted windows. Thankfully, nobody was physically injured in either robbery.
Our agencies have since confirmed the same female suspect committed the pair of robberies; however, wore different clothing during each incident. The suspect was described to officers as a Hispanic female, early to mid-twenties, between approximately 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, with brown hair. Do not approach the suspect if she is seen.
If you have any information about the suspect or the suspect vehicle, please contact Brentwood PD Detective Agostinho at 925-809-7870 or the Antioch Police Department Investigations Division at 925-779-6926. Callers can remain anonymous.
Illegal weed seized and red tagged house on Stanford Way in Antioch on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Top photos by CA Dept of Cannabis Control. Bottom photo by Antioch resident who chose to remain anonymous.
Five Antioch homes included
By Moorea Warren, Information Officer, California Department of Cannabis Control
Thanks to the continued dedication and collaboration of the Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) 20 East Bay illegal indoor cannabis cultivators were shut down on June 20, and a total estimated value of over $15.3 million of illegal cannabis was seized.
An investigation spanning several weeks culminated in the operation led by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). There were 20 search warrants served by four units of officers and local and state partners, including the Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the California National Guard, and local law enforcement – five in Antioch (according to a witness two with addresses of 2460 and 2480 Stanford Way), three in Brentwood, two in Discovery Bay and ten in Pittsburg, resulting in the seizures of:
742 pounds of cannabis flower estimated valued of $1,244,762
17,121 cannabis plants estimated valued of $14,124,825
7 firearms (including 1 assault rifle)
$24,197 in cash
Several of the locations were red-tagged for safety and code violations.
According to Antioch Police Department PIO, Corporal Price Kendall, on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at approximately 5:10 pm, the reporting party and victim, a 22-year-old male, was approached, at 300 L Street in front of the APD Lobby, by an unknown 47-year-old male on a bicycle who appeared to be intoxicated. The unknown male brandished and threatened the victim with a large, kitchen-style knife before riding away on his bicycle. Officers were flagged down as they happened to be in the area and the victim reported the crime to them.
The unknown, older male was found in the surrounding neighborhood along K Street near W. 3rd Street. When officers located the suspect, he was still armed with the knife, and he was in possession of an aluminum bat. Officers tried to detain the man, but he attempted to flee and a short foot pursuit followed. The suspect was detained after officers used their taser device to subdue him.
According to Art Ray of Bay News Video, “Fire Department personnel from Engine 81 evaluated the handcuffed suspect who was then taken into custody.”
By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On June 15, 2023, at approximately 5:02 a.m. Antioch Police Officers responded to the 2200 block of San Jose Drive on a report of a stabbing having just occurred. Officers arrived and located a 30-year-old female and a 39-year-old male both suffering from stab wounds. The female was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
This is an isolated incident and there is no current threat to the public. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released 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.
Former Antioch Police Officer Matthew Nutt in June 2019 after he was hired, and screenshot of him striking the detainee with his knee while forcing him into the back of a police vehicle, from Officer Dustin Dibble’s body cam video footage on July 1, 2022. Source: APD
Hired in June 2019, Matthew Nutt was terminated this year; APD provides body cam footage
By Lt. Michael Mellone, Community Engagement, Antioch Police Department
As has been previously reported, former Antioch Police Officer Matthew Nutt was terminated from his employment as the result of an internal investigation into his use of force against an individual during a traffic stop on July 1, 2022. During the incident, Mr. Nutt learned the driver of a vehicle stopped for not displaying license plates had an outstanding felony warrant for shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle and conspiracy. Upon placing the individual under arrest, he refused to sit in the back of a police vehicle and displayed physical resistance. Mr. Nutt used force against the arrestee, consisting of a series of punches and kicks, along with knee and elbow strikes.
Video screenshot from Officer Dustin Dibble’s body cam footage of former Officer Nutt’s fist striking the detainee in the torso while forcing him into the back of a police vehicle on July 1, 2022. Source: APD
Mr. Nutt’s application of force triggered an automatic review of his body-worn camera footage. The reviewing supervisor had concerns about what was depicted in the video and believed Mr. Nutt may have violated Antioch Police policies governing use of force. The supervisor communicated his concerns through official channels, and an internal review was initiated. Mr. Nutt was placed into an assignment with no direct public contact.
After a thorough investigation, Mr. Nutt was sustained on four (4) use of force policy violations, including using unreasonable force, failure to de-escalate, and failure to use alternative tactics. Chief Steven Ford reviewed the findings of the investigation and terminated Mr. Nutt from his employment with the Antioch Police Department on April 21, 2023.
Video screenshot from Officer Dustin Dibble’s body cam footage of former Officer Nutt forcing the detainee into the back of a police vehicle on July 1, 2022. Source: APD
Members of the Antioch Police Department Professional Standards Unit initiated a criminal investigation into the matter and presented their findings to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. On June 13, 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Mr. Nutt with one misdemeanor count of assault by a public officer.
Chief Steven A. Ford released the following statement regarding this incident:
“Police officers are entrusted with the authority to use reasonable force to protect the public and themselves in the lawful performance of their duties. This requires close supervision and evaluation to maintain public legitimacy and preserve the sanctity of human life. The Antioch Police Department is committed to accountability and full transparency – my hope is our community will see the actions of our personnel to investigate and bring this matter to my attention as an expression of their commitment to accountability and the core tenets of their oath. This unfortunate incident is not reflective of the women and men who serve our community – please join me in continuing to offer our support of their hard work.”
Mr. Nutt was hired in June 2019 and employed with the Antioch Police Department for four years and had two years of prior experience with the Los Angeles Police Department. (See related article)
In the interest of transparency – and in accordance with State Law – we are releasing the following documents and evidence:
Redactions have been made to these items in accordance with State Laws governing release of certain privileged and/or protected information.
The Antioch Police Department trains officers and has several policies on use of force, de-escalation, and alternative tactics, which can be reviewed on our transparency website:
The Antioch Police Department recently joined a Trust Building Campaign https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign with 25-key policy enhancements we have pledged to implement within a 36-month period. We have also begun a process to seek accreditation of our Police Department and Dispatch Center, which includes regular audits of our policies and practices by an internationally recognized organization.
Mayor Thorpe’s tweet (left) and portions of the website post of his statement on Monday, June 12, 2023 with the incorrect date and misspelling both Antioch and Bay Area in the tags. Screenshots.
35 officers currently on administrative leave
By Allen D. Payton
In a statement posted on his campaign website and shared on his official social media pages on Monday, June 12, 2023, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe commented on the fatal shooting on Sunday morning that took the life of an 18-year-old female and wounded six others who were attending a birthday party. (See related article)
In it, he called for “the officers involved in the racist text-messaging scandal” to be fired immediately but Thorpe wouldn’t say how many officers that entails. Following is the post of his statement:
Statement by Mayor Lamar Thorpe Re. Mass Shooting
Antioch, CA- On June 6, 2023, Mayor Thorpe issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting in Antioch:
“Birthdays are one of the most intimate and sacred celebrations in everyone’s life. They represent growth, reflection, and appreciation for life’s gifts. Over the weekend one such celebration was cut short as a result of gun violence.
An 18-year-old young lady lost her life and 6 others were injured. My heart is with the victims and families of this horrific incident.
Across the US, there have been at least 290 mass shootings so far this year. I’m saddened to report that Antioch joins the growing list of cities that have experienced mass shootings in 2023.
Earlier this morning, I was briefed by Chief Steve Ford about this weekend’s incident. During my briefing, I reiterated to the Chief that the officers involved in the racist text-messaging scandal (who are currently on administrative leave) need to be fired immediately so we can free up those positions and hire new police officers directly from the academy.
Each day these officers are on leave is another day we are prevented from having a stronger police presence on our streets to deter and/or respond to gun violence.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the date of his post is still incorrect as are the spelling of “Antioch” and “Bay Area” in the tags at the end.
Thorpe was asked via email Monday afternoon which of the officers in the text scandal does he want Chief Ford to immediately terminate. “All 45 of them Including those who received but did not respond to the offensive texts from some of the officers? Or just the officers who sent the texts?” He was also asked how many officers are currently on administrative leave during the investigation of the scandal. Thorpe did not respond.
When asked how many officers are on paid leave due to the text scandal, Antioch Police spokesman Corporal Price Kendall shared there are 115 authorized sworn officers, with 98 currently on staff. Of those 35 are on administrative leave total, but he would not specify what type, leaving 49 officers on full duty with 31 on patrol.
Regarding Thorpe’s call for the terminations Kendall added, “The Antioch Police Department is not handling the investigation. We have been recused from the investigation by the City Attorney. The City Attorney is handling the investigation. Chief Ford cannot make any decisions regarding those involved until the City Attorney completes his investigation. The mayor knows this.”
Also shot her husband over domestic relationship; bail set at $35 million
Suspect Brian Yacopetti. Photo: APD
By Lt. John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
As previously reported, on May 25, 2023, at approximately 8:45 PM, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center started receiving numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting multiple gunshots being fired at the 4400 block of Delta Fair Boulevard.
As officers were responding, witnesses called to report two victims were down on the ground and yelling for help. When officers arrived at the scene, they located two victims outside. One male victim was suffering from at least two gunshot wounds to his legs, and one female victim was suffering from what appeared to be two gunshot wounds to the head. Evidence at the scene indicated the incident occurred outdoors in front of several residences. Officers immediately began administering first aid and called for fire department and AMR paramedics. The male victim was transported to a local area hospital, and the female victim ultimately succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Prior to police arrival, the suspect fled the area in a vehicle and has not been contacted by police. Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and took over the investigation. During the initial investigative response to this shooting homicide, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit developed information that the suspect was in a domestic relationship with the 39-year-old victim.
Detectives learned that earlier in the day, the suspect traveled to the victim’s residence and became involved in an altercation with both victims. During that altercation, the suspect fired several shots at a 43-year-old male resident, striking him twice. The male victim was later determined to be the homicide victim’s husband. Afterwards, the suspect turned the gun on the female victim and shot her in the head and upper back. The suspect fled from the scene and was not contacted that evening.
During the course of the investigation, and from evidence at the scene processed by the Forensic Services Division (of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office), the suspect was identified as 46-year-old Brian Yacopetti of Antioch, a subject on parole for assault.
On May 30, 2023, detectives with the Special Investigations Unit teamed with the United States Marshals Service to locate Yacopetti, and safety take him into custody, in the City of Brentwood. Yacopetti was transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, lead detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit presented the case to the District Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the case, the District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Yacopetti for Murder, Attempted Murder, Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and several criminal sentence enhancements. Bail was set at $35 million dollars.
The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the community for their cooperation, and the Contra Costa County Forensic Services Division, and US Marshals Service for their assistance.
New Antioch Police Officer Gustavo Jimenez is given his oath of office by Captain Tony Morefield on Monday, June 5, 2023. Jiminez with Officer Joseph Chandler and Captain Trevor Schnitzer following the new officer’s graduation from the police academy in late May. Photos: APD
Following graduation from academy in Alameda County; brings total staffing to 98 sworn officers
By Antioch Police Department
Last week, Antioch PD swore in Gustavo Jimenez as a new officer. Captain Tony Morefield administered the oath of office as Jiminez’ parents, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith and others looked on.
Gustavo was born in Martinez and was raised in Brentwood, graduating from Liberty High School. While there, he played football and was a referee for soccer matches. While being a referee, he traveled all over the US. He officiated in the highest level of youth soccer in the nation, and for adult teams, he was a referee at the semiprofessional level.
Captain Trevor Schnitzius and Officer Joseph Chandler were honored to attend the Alameda County Police Academy graduation in May and welcome our newest academy grad.
During his free time, he enjoys working on cars, working out, and playing video games. A fun fact about Gustavo is he has been riding his motorcycle longer than he has been driving a car.
Welcome, Gustavo!
With his addition there are 98 sworn officers currently on staff with the department out of 115 authorized in the budget, and 49 on full duty.
