The three adult males arrested by the Antioch police are from left, Giovanni Lopez, Juan Peter Herrera and Raymond Wehr

By Acting Lieutenant Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The Antioch Police Department announced five individuals have been arrested in the March 31^st murder at Cruisers Saloon on A Street.

In custody are Antioch residents Giovanni Lopez, age 26, Juan Peter Herrera, age 22 and Pittsburg resident Raymond Wehr, also age 22. Also arrested was a 17 year old, male, Antioch resident and a 17 year old, male, Pittsburg resident.

All five subjects arrested have gang connections or are active gang members. It appears that the victim, Lizandro “Tony” Bertolazzi was an innocent victim and not involved in either fight.

The Antioch Police Department is not disclosing the identity of the person who fired the weapon in an effort to maintain the integrity of the on-going investigation.

Lizandro "Tony" Bertolazzi from a memorial page on Facebook

The case has yet to be presented to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office and all those arrested are being held on probation or parole holds.

On March 31, 2012 at 1:36 a.m. Antioch police received a 911 call from Cruisers Saloon reporting that a shooting had just occurred. It appears that a group of males who had been kicked out of the bar earlier in the night, returned with baseball bats specifically with the intention of starting a fight. The fight started inside of the bar and then moved just outside of the front door to the bar. One of the males, who had been kicked out earlier, pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot inside the bar. 

Bertolazzi, a 38 year old Antioch resident and veteran of the Marines, was inside the bar and was hit and died at the scene. He leaves behind his wife, who is serving in the Army, and four sons.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective James Stenger at (925) 779-6894.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

According to a KTVU, Channel 2 news report, squatters in a vacant home in Antioch have issued a restraining order against real estate agent Melissa Case who has the property listed for sale. Now she can’t be within 50 feet of the house.

Thanks to Antioch Herald reader Maria Pia for the heads up on this story.

For the complete story, click here.

Here’s the question that must be answered – who was the judge that approved the restraining order? Not only should the squatters be thrown out, so should that judge!

A female Deer Valley High school student who claimed to have been sexually assaulted on campus on Thursday, March 29, lied about it to cover up an off-campus trip to meet a boy.

During a subsequent interview with the assigned investigator, the alleged victim admitted to fabricating the story about being sexually assaulted on campus. The female student had left campus to meet with a boy and was late coming back to school. When she was confronted by school staff members, instead of admitting her fault, the student deflected the blame for being late by fabricating the story about being sexually assaulted.

By Acting Lieutenant Diane Aguinaga, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

 On March 31, 2012 at 1:36 am the Antioch Police Department received a 911 call from Cruisers Saloon, at 1611 A Street in Antioch, reporting that a shooting had just occurred. It appears that a group of males who had been kicked out of the bar earlier in the night, returned with baseball bats specifically with the intention of starting a fight. The fight started inside of the bar and then moved just outside of the front door to the bar. One of the males who had been kicked out earlier, pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot inside the bar. A 38 year-old male inside the bar was hit and died at the scene. His identity is being withheld at this time pending notification to his next of kin.

This information is preliminary as the police are still actively investigating this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Mellone at (925) 779-6930.

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

On Thursday, March 29, 2012 at approximately 2:40 pm the Antioch Police Department was dispatched to Deer Valley High School, located at 4700 Lone Tree Way, to investigate allegations that a female student had been sexually assaulted on campus. Preliminary information suggests that the alleged assault took place in one of the restrooms on campus. The investigation and interviews are on-going at this time. No clear suspect information has been developed.

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Narcotic / Property Crimes, Antioch Police

Antioch Police investigators and SWAT, with assistance from investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service,

Christopher Weise

served a search warrant at a residence in the 2700 block of Winding Lane in Antioch. The search warrant was for possession for sale of Anabolic Steroids (a controlled substance).

A large amount of steroids, manufacturing equipment and supplies used in the production of steroids were located in the residence, along with several firearms. Two men were arrested, Christopher Weise, 38 and Kyle Cicerello, 25, both of Antioch.

Weisehas a history of similar offenses and is currently on probation for steroid sales. He is also a convicted felon and is being booked on charges of a felon in possession of firearms, in addition to several narcotic charges related to the possession and manufacture of a controlled substance. In addition he had an outstanding felony warrant for a narcotic charge out

Kyle Cicero

of Stanislaus County.

Cicerello has no criminal history convictions and is being booked on narcotic charges related to the possession and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Both were sent to the Martinez Detention Facility

School Locked Down

By Sergeant T. Morefield, Field Services, Antioch Police Department

On Friday, March 23, 2012 at approximately 1:54 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Antioch High School at 700 W. 18th Street. As officers arrived on scene, it was quickly discovered that the shooting actually occurred on West 16th Street, almost two blocks away from the school. However, due to the close proximity of the incident to the High School and an unknown direction of flight of the responsible, restricted access procedures were initiated at Antioch High School.

It would later be determined that the responsible fled the scene in a vehicle in the opposite direction of the high school, so the school district was notified and the restricted access procedure was lifted. There is no indication that any Antioch High School students were involved in this incident. There were no reported injuries however a broken window was located at the school. The case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

Hans Ho speaks with volunteers.

By Dolly Ogawa-Amsk

On Saturday, March 10, the Parkgreen Circle Neighborhood Watch, had its second meeting, making the group official. Hans Ho, Antioch Neighborhood Watch Coordinator spoke to the group. He delivered hints on making your home and the neighborhood safer. “Never open the door to someone you don’t know. Let them know you are home. Antioch Police show a badge.” He went on to explain that there are safety steps you can take. One idea is planting bushes or plants outside windows. Rose bushes would make it more difficult for a burglar to enter through a window. Ho also spoke of the necessity of being able to describe a suspect. He had some interesting advice, especially about footwear. Sometimes criminals can shed a jacket, change their shirts but they don’t have time to change their shoes.

Ho has been a volunteer with the Antioch department for nine years, with a full time job. He is also an avid skier. “One of the best things about this is meeting people from all over the city.”

The crowd of concerned neighbors gathered in Knoll Park to share cookies, donuts, and soft drinks along with some facts about their goal to insure a safer, friendlier neighborhood. After the presentation two young men, Michael Jervoso and Elias Guevara, part of the group “Up From The Dust,” from the area, sang and entertained the neighbors with their guitars.

The Antioch Police Department and local citizens working together can make sure that the number of crimes committed is significantly reduced. On the other hand the police who have been informed of suspicious behavior have probable cause to stop a car or person and ask questions. Ho is available for presentations on several subjects including: Personal Security, Burglary, and Fraud.

For more information about a Neighborhood Watch on your block call 925-779-6980 or email: neighborhoodwatch@ci.antioch.ca.us