On September 29 3:35 p.m., Antioch police responded to a reported carjacking that had just occurred in the Walmart parking lot on Lone Tree Way.

Officers contacted a 19-year-old Antioch female who reported that just as she pulled into a parking stall in front of Walmart a man, later identified as David Karcher, 58, of Antioch, entered her vehicle through the front passenger door. Karcher had a knife and assaulted the victim with the knife while making threatening statements.

The victim received a minor injury as a result of the attack, but no medical attention was necessary. Karcher attempted to hold the victim in the vehicle in an attempt to kidnap her. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to break free and run away from the vehicle. Karcher then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

As it turned out the victim’s vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracking device. The victim’s father was contacted who was able to track the vehicle through a computer and provide real time updates to Antioch Dispatch. This information was relayed to officers where, with the assistance of Brentwood PD, they were able to locate the vehicle within about 15 minutes of the incident.

The suspect was stopped in the victim’s vehicle in the area of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Karcher was taken into custody by Antioch and Brentwood police officers without incident. Karcher was found to have an extensive criminal history and several outstanding felony warrants for his arrest. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

On August 20 at 10:17 p.m. Antioch police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2800 block of Seville Circle on a report of several gunshots. As officers were responding, dispatch received other calls that a person had been shot.

Officers along with medical personnel arrived and began life saving efforts on a 16-year-old Oakley male. He was transported to Sutter Delta Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.

A 17-year-old Antioch female, who was also shot while at the residence, was driven to the hospital by a friend. She had a single gunshot wound, was treated for her injury and later released.

The information provided was that the shootings happened during a birthday party with numerous people attending. The shooter and victim had words before the victim was shot. Police are in the process of determining what lead up to the shooting and how the female was injured.

By Lieutenant John VanderKlugt

The Antioch Police Department and REACH Project, Inc. collaborated in a Curfew Sweep in the city of Antioch on August 5. This program is designed to reduce the number of minors being out after curfew.

The program is intended to be supportive rather than punitive. The City Ordinance generally prohibits minors (under the age of 18 years) from being in any public area between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. seven days a week. The ordinance was adopted to promote safety of the City’s youngest most vulnerable residents from becoming participants or victims of crimes.

Officers from the Antioch Police Department detained a total of 35 minors. They were brought to the processing center at the police department and turned over to the staff of the REACH Project where the minors were counseled and released to their parents or guardians. Follow-up juvenile diversion services will be provided by REACH addressing decision-making skills and training, treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse, understanding youth and the law and applying principles of restorative justice.

This program was a success and future programs will be scheduled throughout the summer in an attempt to further reduce number of minors out after curfew and increase the accountability and responsibility of both the minors and their parents or guardians.

Update
On August 4 the District Attorney filed the following charges on the suspects arrested in this case: Eric Walker: Felony 2nd Degree Robbery, Felony 2nd Degree Burglary, Felony Carjacking, Felony Possession of a dangerous weapon and Firearm Enhancements. Hassan Ameer Ford: Felony 2nd Degree Robbery, Felony Carjacking and Firearm Enhancements.

Both are scheduled to appear in court on August 5.
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Update
Antioch Police have arrested Ford, who was the subject of the Amber Alert related to the robbery/kidnapping case. He has admitted his involvement in the robbery of the barber shop and feigning of his kidnapping, according to police.

Antioch Police served a search warrant on an apartment in the 3100 block of Lone Tree Way in Antioch and arrested 23-year-old Eric Lerone Walker, who has been identified as the gunman. During the search of the premises, the sawed-off shotgun believed to have been used in the robbery was located in a van, along with property stolen during the robbery.

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Hassan Ameer Ford, 16, has been released by his captor after a car jacking at Al’s Barber Shop at 11 West 18th Street on Aug. 1 at 3:41 p.m. He has been in personal contact with family and friends since the incident, according to police.

Although police have not been able to speak to Ford personally, they said they are confident he has been released and is no longer under duress. As a result, an Amber Alert that had been in effect has been cancelled. In addition, the victim’s vehicle, a 2-door, black, 1996 GMC Yukon, has been located in Antioch and is currently being processed for evidence.

The incident began when a black male adult robbed Al’s Barber Shop at gunpoint, taking the owner’s wallet, car keys and Yukon. On his way out of the business the suspect grabbed Ford, who is an employee of the business, ordered him into the owner’s car and told him to drive. The suspect is described as 25 years old, 5-foot-7, 180 pounds, wearing a blue shirt, big pants, and a knitted cap. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately or the Antioch Police Dispatch Center at (925) 778-2441.

By Antioch Police Department

Here is yet another example of our citizens sending a strong message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and neighbors care for each other. It also shows that the neighborhood spirit is strong, which also strengthens the police-community partnership. Crime can be prevented by neighborhood involvement. If criminals know that people are watching, they will be deterred from committing crime.

Shortly after 6 p.m. on July 13, a resident in the northeast portion of Antioch observed a suspicious male sitting on a fence of a nearby residence. The resident was familiar with her neighbors and the person she had seen was unfamiliar to her. With her curiosity piqued, she decided to take a closer look and believed the person saw her looking at him because he ran away.

A second male soon joined the first, and they fled from the area. Responding officers checked the neighboring residence and confirmed a burglary had occurred. After receiving the neighbor’s call, responding officers were able to quickly locate and detain several people who were suspected of committing the burglary.

Not only did the concerned neighbor take the initiative to safeguard her neighborhood, but she also positively identified the suspects after they had been detained by officers, which resulted in their arrest. As the investigation progressed, an additional residence nearby had also been targeted for burglary, but the suspects were not successful in gaining access.

There are two grateful neighbors in this neighborhood today because their caring neighbor took the initiative to get involved and take action against these criminals. The reporting neighbor, police dispatch and responding officers worked together in a cohesive fashion, further strengthening our police-community partnership. A great job was done by all!

Remember, if criminals know people are watching they will be less likely to commit crimes.

At approximately 3:58pm, there was a hit and run, auto versus pedestrian accident on A Street near 8th Street in the city of Antioch. A 40-year-old Antioch man is in serious, but stable condition at a nearby hospital.

Witnesses describe the vehicle as a white Nissan Sentra-type vehicle. The investigation is on-going, but anyone who either witnessed the accident or who might have information as to the whereabouts of the responsible vehicle or as to the identity of the driver is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department.

On May 22 at approximately 7:47 p.m., Antioch police received calls about a shooting victim in the 2300 block of D Street. When officers arrived, they located the victim, a 19-year-old Antioch man, on the sidewalk. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

On the evening of July 12, Antioch police investigators arrested without incident Antonio Esquivel, 21, a transient whose last known address was in Pittsburg, while he was driving in Antioch. The arrest was on a warrant charging him with murder in this case.

Later that night, detectives stopped Steven Abundis, 21, of Pittsburg, while he was driving in Oakley and arrested him without incident for a warrant charging him with murder in connection with this investigation. A detective discovered a loaded 9 mm pistol concealed in the driver’s side door panel of the car. Abundis was driving the vehicle that was used during the murder, according to police. He is the owner of the car.

A search warrant was then served on Abundis’ home where he resides with his parents. An AK-47 style assault rifle, a .22 caliber rifle and approximately one pound of marijuana were located on the premises. These items were identified as Abundis’ property. The murder weapon in this case is still outstanding.

Investigators interviewed both men throughout the night, and Esquivel confessed to shooting and killing the victim, according to police. According to Esquivel, he and the victim did not know one another. He claims to have thrown the pistol used in the killing in the trash somewhere on Buchanan Road in Pittsburg.

Esquivel said that in October 2010 there was a confrontation between two groups of people in the area of the Antioch downtown waterfront. Esquivel and the victim were members of the opposing groups. Esquivel claimed that the victim tried to throw him off the wall above the railroad tracks.

Esquivel was able to hold on to the rail. Esquivel’s friends came to his aid and one of them stabbed the victim. Investigators have confirmed that a confrontation did occur and involved the victim of the murder.

Abundis is denying being present at the scene of the murder and claims he had no knowledge of the crime.

Investigators were able to identify both men as suspects based on information received from the public. Abundis and Esquivel are friends, and known to associate with local gang members in the West Boulevard area of Pittsburg, according to police. Investigators are continuing to work toward determining whether or not they are actually gang members.

One key piece of evidence in this case was a tattoo that Esquivel received approximately two weeks after the murder. The tattoo on his chest reads, “No warning shots.” It is believed this was a way to memorialize the murder of the victim, although Esquivel denies that was the reason he got the tattoo.

Both men have been booked at the Contra Costa County Jail. Their bails are $1 million each. Additional charges involving gang membership, the assault weapon and possession for sale of marijuana and various other charges may be added in the future.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Desmond Bittner at (925) 779-6939.

On July 8 beginning at 11 p.m. the Antioch Police Department and REACH Project, Inc. collaborated in a Curfew Sweep in Antioch. This program is designed to reduce the number of minors being out after curfew.

The program is intended to be supportive rather than punitive. The City Ordinance generally prohibits minors (under the age of 18 years) from being in any public area between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. seven days a week. The ordinance was adopted to promote safety of the City’s youngest most venerable residents from becoming participants or victims of crimes.

Officers from the Antioch Police Department detained a total of 37 minors. They were brought to the processing center at the police department and turned over to the staff of the REACH Project where the minors were counseled and released to their parents or guardians. Follow-up juvenile diversion services will be provided by REACH addressing decision-making skills and training, understanding youth and the law and applying principles of restorative justice.

This program was a success and future programs will be scheduled throughout the summer in an attempt to further reduce number of minors out after curfew and increase the accountability and responsibility of both the minors and their parents or guardians.