By Sergeant M. Schwitters, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Monday, May 20, 2013 at approximately 8:20 p.m., Antioch Police responded to a report of a shots fired near the 4600 block of Menona Drive. Upon arrival, police learned that a 50-year-old male Antioch resident was out for a walk in the Wild Horse neighborhood when he was confronted by an armed robber. The robber demanded money and then shot the victim before fleeing the area.

The victim was treated and released from a local hospital for a non life threatening gunshot wound. The armed robber was described as a black male adult and in the company of a second black male as well as one black female. The responsible parties fled the scene in what was described as a white or light gray Pontiac (possibly a Grand Am) with a rear spoiler.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at 778-2441.

By Corporal Mike Hulsey, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 5:16 p.m., Antioch Police responded to a robbery in progress at 4873 Lone Tree Way, near Orchard Supply Hardware. Upon arrival, the 83-year-old male victim was found unconscious and bleeding. The victim was taken to a hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

The responsible individual was not located and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Antioch Department at 778-2441.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Following up on a lead called in by a concerned citizen reporting a suspicious subject in their neighborhood, Antioch Police Department Detectives made an arrest in the early afternoon hours of Friday, May 17, 2013 on this homicide case. The suspect was subsequently interviewed by Investigators and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on homicide charges. The identity of the suspect will not be released at this time. The case will be under review by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The Antioch Police Department will not be releasing any other information at this time.

By Lieutenant Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Friday, May 17, 2013 at approximately 7:57 a.m., Antioch Police officers responded to a call of a possible dead body near the entrance to a nearby apartment complex in the 3400 block of Hudson Court. Officers and medical personnel responded and found a 22-year-old male subject who was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was later determined that the deceased subject had been shot. The victim was on the side of an apartment complex and appeared to have been there for several hours. This case is currently being investigated as a homicide by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau.

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.

By James Ott

For the first time in over a year Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando had good news to report regarding law-breaking in the city. After a year of exploding crime rates, the chief said that so far in 2013 total crime is down nearly 20 percent over the same period in 2012.

At a presentation given during the April 24 City Council meeting, Cantando said that violent crime in Antioch was down seven percent while property crime fell over 22 percent this year.

The news was welcome to citizens and leaders alike who have suffered under exploding crime rates and reduced arrest rates along with a reduced police force and a terrible economy.

Antioch has historically been a high-crime city, during the past decade. In 2010 it ranked as the fourth most dangerous city in the Bay Area with 8.46 cases, of crime for every thousand citizens according to a list compiled by the San Francisco Business Times using FBI crime data. The only cities worse than Antioch were Emeryville, (12.54) and notoriously crime-riddled cities Richmond (11.37) and Oakland (15.30). Comparably sized cities like Concord and Fairfield only had to deal with about half the crime rate, and nearby cities such as Pittsburg, (2.34) were almost saintly in comparison.

While overall crime has been increasing in Antioch for several years, last year saw a large increase in both violent and property crime that put real fear into residents. Compared to 2011, 2012 saw double the homicides, 38 percent more cases of rape, and 30 percent more assaults. Last year there was also a 27 percent average increase in property crimes like theft and burglaries.

Because 2012 was such a bad year for crime in Antioch, Cantando’s news that crime is down at all is good news but he also said that the numbers could be skewed a bit because they are being compared to 2012’s rates.

“Keep in mind that we are comparing numbers to 2012 which was a very bad crime year for the city of Antioch,” said Cantando.

Despite the decrease in crime Cantando’s presentation highlighted another problem that has not improved – despite all of the crime Antioch is still arresting less criminals every year.

So far this year arrest rates were only down 6.6 over last year but it still continues a trend that has been going on for years. In 2009 Antioch police made 5398 arrests and that number has decreased every year. Last year only 3186 arrests were made. Those numbers however are likely due to a depleted police force. The city has taken steps recently to try and hire new full time police officers something the police chief and city council members think will make a big difference in both increasing arrest rates and decreasing crime in Antioch.

“As the result of our [low] staffing and trying to rebuild you’ll see that our arrests are down,” said Cantando. “As we bring on more staff we’re hopeful that we’re going to see an increase in those [arrest] numbers.”

Antioch has hired five new police officers as of the chief’s presentation.

By Sergeant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, May 5, 2013 at approximately 8:29 p.m., the Antioch Police Department responded to a shooting that occurred in the area of D Street near W. 19th Street. Upon our arrival, we located a 17-year-old male suffering from a single gunshot wound to his left arm. The 17-year-old male was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition.

A 12-year-old female victim and an 11-year-old male victim were also located. Both victims were sitting in a vehicle that was parked near the location of the shooting. A stray bullet entered the driver window of the parked vehicle. Neither the girl nor the 11-year-old boy were struck by the stray bullet; however they both sustained minor cuts on their arms and hands from broken window glass. Both were treated for their injuries at the scene.

The incident is still under investigation at this time.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday May 4, 2013 at approximately 3:43 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a subject shot in front of a hotel in the 500 block of E. 18^th Street. Officers responded to the area to find the 38-year-old, male victim incapacitated from multiple, apparent gunshot wounds. Life saving measures were taken by the arriving officers and medical personnel, but the victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

This case is currently being investigated as a homicide by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Meads with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6884. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Arthur Yu

By Detective Mortimer, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at approximately 7:30 a.m., Antioch Police Detectives served a search warrant at a residence located on the 5100 block of Deerspring Way in Antioch. During the search, detectives located evidence of a large marijuana cultivation inside which turned up over 500 marijuana plants. Detectives took a San Francisco resident, identified as 59-year-old Arthur Yu, into custody in connection with the cultivation.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Matthew Koch at (925) 779-6895.