By Sergeant Santiago Castillo, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at approximately 10:45 a.m., Antioch Code Enforcement Officers conducted a property inspection at an 8-unit apartment building in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. During the inspection, they located a suspicious item that appeared to be a homemade explosive device. Antioch police officers arrived on scene and evacuated the complex and surrounding homes. All traffic along W 2nd St. was also blocked off as a safety precaution.

The Walnut Creek Bomb Squad was called to the scene and was able to render the device inoperable. Per the bomb squad, the device was capable of being detonated.

The Antioch Police Department is handling the investigation. At this time, we have no leads as to a motive or who may be responsible for creating/placing the device.

Anyone with information that would be helpful in this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at 925-778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Tarra Nissen, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at approximately 11:43 a.m., while on routine patrol in a marked patrol vehicle, an Antioch Police Officer was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The officer was making a left turn, with the green light, from northbound Somersville Road into the parking lot of the Somersville Towne Center. A 29-year-old Martinez resident, who was traveling southbound, failed to stop at the red signal light and collided with the officer’s patrol car.

The officer was transported by ambulance to Kaiser Hospital where she was treated and released with minor injuries. The other involved party refused medical treatment and was released from the scene with a citation.

By Sergeant Dimitri Barakos, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On November 8th, 2013 at 4:11 p.m., an anonymous caller stated that a female was being beaten by her boyfriend at a residence in Antioch. The caller stated that Rocco Moore, a 34-year old Concord resident, had threatened to shoot the female victim if the police were called. Officers arrived at the location in the 500 block of Bridle Way and set up a perimeter around the residence. Officers then entered the open garage door of the residence where they encountered Moore and Richard Jobe, a 28-year old man, in the garage. Moore reached for his waistband and hid behind a mattress in the cluttered garage. Jobe refused to obey officers’ commands. A dog that was in the garage came towards the officers and was shot and killed.

Moore reemerged from behind the mattress and complied. Jobe began fighting with the officers and was eventually subdued. Jobe and Moore were taken into custody. A loaded stolen firearm was located by the mattress Moore was hiding behind. Jobe was transported to a local hospital for treatment from injuries he sustained while fighting with the officers. Moore and Jobe were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility and charged with numerous crimes. The female victim told police that she was beaten by Moore and held against her will by him as well.

Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925.779.6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant T. Schnitzius, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, November 8, 2013 at 2:15 a.m., Antioch Police received a call of a collision in the area of 2nd Street Court. Upon arrival officers found that a vehicle had collided with a parked semi trailer. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Con-Fire responded, extricated the victim from the vehicle, and provided life saving measures. Their efforts were unsuccessful and the driver, a 31-year-old Antioch man, was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. The accident is currently under investigation and it is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is encouraged to contact Officer Rick Martin at (925) 779-6900 Ext. 83343.

By Lieutenant Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 2:49 p.m., officers responded to a subject assaulting patrons inside the library located at the Antioch Community Center, at Prewett Park. While officers were en route, witnesses reported the responsible subject fled in a blue van.

Officers arrived on scene and determined a 21-year old Antioch resident, identified as Kenneth Johnson, physically attacked two library employees for unknown reasons and without any provocation or prior warning. A citizen who was inside the library tried to intervene, but was also assaulted. Prior to leaving the scene, Johnson took money from the wallet of one of the victims.

Officers doing an area check located the van traveling northbound on Lone Tree Way. A traffic stop was conducted, and after a brief verbal confrontation, Johnson was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez for Felony Assault and Robbery.

The actual motive for the assaults is unknown at this time and still under investigation. None of the victims knew Johnson or had contact with him prior to this incident.

Both librarians were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. The third victim was treated on scene.

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

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Thursday, October 24, 2013 at approximately 11:50 AM, the Contra Costa Fire Department responded to a residence in the 2300 block of Whitetail Drive on a report of a house fire. They arrived to find an electrical box to the home on fire which they were able to quickly extinguish. No one was home at residence; however, evidence of marijuana cultivation was found inside. The Antioch Police Department was summoned to investigate and confirmed a large scale marijuana cultivation operation. Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 1100 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 Koch with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6895. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Alan Wilson

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Thursday, October 24, 2013, Antioch Police Department undercover officers located Alan Wilson who was a parolee at large in the area of Sycamore Drive and L Street. Undercover detectives along with patrol officers attempted to make a traffic stop on Wilson, but he fled from them, leading officers on an 8 minute long pursuit through Antioch.

The pursuit ended in 2900 block of Filbert Street in Antioch, where Wilson ditched his vehicle and fled on foot. Wilson fled over neighborhood fences but was apprehended a short distance away.

Wilson was found to be in possession of a large amount of narcotics, cash, and evidence of narcotics sales along with a loaded handgun. Wilson was sent to the Martinez Detention Facility on his Parole Warrant as well as charges of narcotics trafficking and gun possession.

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.