Graffiti is not Art – Graffiti is a Crime

3/18/11 – from the Antioch Police Department

Graffiti is a crime and often symptomatic of other social problems. Graffiti often leads to a feeling of reduced safety and pride in the community, which in turn leads to further crime. For many communities combating graffiti is a problematic and costly issue. The Police Department alone cannot solve the graffiti problem. Graffiti is a community issue and the Police Department is just one part of the solution.

The community at large and more specifically, caring neighbors and members of neighborhood watch groups have assumed a more significant role in getting involved in reporting the acts of vandalism they witness.

Just today, another caring and observant resident witnessed an act of vandalism at the Dallas Ranch Park which is located on Prewett Ranch Drive. The resident reported the incident to police and made the officers’ jobs much easier by providing good descriptions of the suspects, their actions and associated vehicles.

Without the assistance of this observant and caring citizen this would have been another costly graffiti crime that would have gone unsolved. Consequently, officers were able to arrest four suspects for felony vandalism. The suspects ranged in age from 15 to 21 years old.

It might sound like a broken record, but it rings so true. By becoming the eyes and ears for the police department, caring citizens are instrumental in helping us solve crime. Citizens who care and take the time to get involved multiply the resources of the police department, and this helps reduce the incidence of crime and improves the quality of life for all. Compliments to all who care enough to help us make Antioch a safer community!

Nicole Bradburn

In January the Antioch Police Department began investigating the report of an inappropriate sexual relationship between a 14 year old male and a 30 year old female, Nicole Bradburn.  Bradburn met the 14 year old through her teenage daughter. 

The victim’s parents became suspicious at the amount of time he was spending with Bradburn, and at one point even obtained a temporary restraining order against her, according to police.  Bradburn had convinced the victim that she was “in love” with him, and therefore he would not admit to the relationship. 

It was not until the victim’s father discovered an incriminating text message from Bradburn, that he finally admitted an on-going sexual relationship that started in October, 2010, police said.

Last week detectives served a search warrant at Bradburn’s Antioch house and arrested her. On 3/21/2011 the DA’s office charged Bradburn with 27 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. She is being held at Martinez County Jail on $1,675,000 bail.

The Antioch Police strongly believe there could be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Danielle Joannides at (925) 779-6931.

    BART evidence photo of stolen phone. High-value
items are most frequently stolen, but any device
can be a target so follow the BART Police tips.

The Top 4 most frequently stolen electronic devices on BART are:

• No. 1: Mobile phones (by far the most frequently stolen is iPhone, followed by BlackBerry)
• No. 2: Portable music players (iPod Touch in particular)
• No. 3: Laptop computers
• No. 4: E-readers (such as Kindle)

In 2009, there were 88 device thefts reported. That number spiked to 166 in 2010, and the increase appears to be continuing, BART Police Lt. Andy Alkire said.

“We want riders to be aware,” Alkire said. Device thefts – in fact, crimes against persons in general – are rare on BART, relative to the number of riders. (There were fewer than 2 crimes against persons per million trips in the most recent quarter for which statistics (.pdf) have been reported.)

“While overall these crimes are still relatively rare, that doesn’t matter if you’re the one whose iPad is ripped off,” Alkire said. “We don’t want any of our customers to be victims, which is why we want to remind everyone to take simple precautions.”

In the typical pattern, users sit or stand right by a door on the train, engrossed in their devices, playing Angry Birds, watching videos or answering emails.

At a stop, just a split second before the door closes, the thief grabs the device and dashes out the door. 

What can you do to minimize being a victim, or to help others?

The first and most important thing is not to use a device sitting or standing right by the door. As much as you may think you are paying attention, it’s easy to become distracted and give a thief a chance to snatch a device right out of your hands.

And – even if you are inclined to be a good Samaritan – it’s best not to hand over your phone to a stranger, even if that nice-looking person says they “just need to make a quick call to get a ride.”  (It’s a common ruse to grab your phone and run.)

While it might seem like a good idea to chase after a suspect, BART Police instead recommend that victims and witnesses instead report the crime immediately, either by notifying the first BART employee they see (train operator via intercom, station agent in station), or by calling BART Police. (It’s recommended that you program the BART Police number into your mobile phone. That number is 1-877-679-7000. For emergencies, call 911.)

If you observe a theft, please consider taking the time to stay behind and help with the investigation as the victim files a report. BART Police can use your help in providing a description of the circumstances and the suspect. Try to recall in as much detail as possible what the person was wearing, their appearance or any distinguishing characteristics.

If you have the serial number of a stolen device, that information can be entered into a statewide Automated Property System to help with the investigation. In addition, some makers of electronic devices, including Apple, provide services that assist in making stolen devices unusable or less usable and thus less valuable on the underground market. Contact your device maker to find out more.

TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM

Here are more tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. These are included on a bookmark-type handout that BART Police are giving out to riders on trains, in an effort to increase awareness.

• Register your device if possible
• Keep a detailed description of your phone that includes serial number, color and make
• Password-protect your phone
• Don’t lend your phone to strangers
• Don’t play devices too loudly
• Don’t use your phone near train doors when boarding trains
• Don’t use the phone while leaving the station
• Warn your travel companions to protect their phones, too
• Make phones calls discreetly to avoid the attention of would-be thieves
• If your device is stolen, please report it by calling BART Police toll-free at 1-877-679-7000. For emergencies, call 911.

For more information, visit the BART Police section of this website.

On Wednesday, February 16 Special Agents from the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), arrested Norman “Norm” Wielsch, a 12-year veteran of BNE and commander of the Central Contra Costa County Narcotic Enforcement Team. Wielsch was arrested in the City of Benicia on several felony counts related to the distribution of methamphetamine, marijuana and steroids.  

The arrest is the result of a criminal investigation that began in January after the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement became aware of allegations of misconduct by Wielsch.  As a result, BNE Agents initiated a comprehensive undercover operation, culminating in Wielsch’s arrest.  Also charged in the narcotic distribution conspiracy was Christopher Butler, 49, of Concord.  Wielsch and Butler were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail.

Both Wielsch and  Christopher Butler were Antioch police officers, with their employment ending in the late 1990s, according to Allan Cantando, Antioch’s Interim Chief of Police, adding, “Any inquiries regarding their employment is a personnel matter and will not be discussed.”

The investigation is continuing and there is no indication that other police personnel are involved in this matter.  By law, the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is precluded from discussing the administrative investigation and will not elaborate on the continuing criminal investigation.

“The drug trade rips apart our society, fractures our communities and destroys lives and families,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, who chairs the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee. “The charges brought against Norman Wielsch, commander of the Central Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team, should not overshadow the good work the anti-drug team has done or the need for interagency teamwork in attacking the problem of drugs in our county.

“The drug trade has no jurisdictional boundaries. Drugs and the gangs that act as soldiers and enforcers for that trade are sometimes more technologically sophisticated and are better armed than our law enforcement agencies. Now, more than ever, we need the cooperation and support of all law enforcement agencies to attack the network of drug sellers, suppliers, growers, manufacturers and transporters who operate across international, city and county lines.”

(more…)

Sigifredo Lua

The baby was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Oakland where he was treated for multiple fractured bones, a lacerated liver and bleeding on his brain. He was in a coma and later died.

During the course of the investigation it was learned that the child’s father, Sigfredo Lua, 23, of Antioch, had been taking care of his two children in a residence in the 700 Block of O Street while his wife was at work. He called his wife at work to advise her that the baby was injured, and she in turn called 911. 

Lua’s initial statements on how the child was injured were inconsistent with the injuries sustained. He has since confessed to detectives that he punched the child in the face, according to police. He was arrested for felony child abuse with great bodily injury, booked at APD and then taken to Martinez County Jail where he remains in custody pending murder charges being filed with the DA’s office. 

The Antioch Police Department is continuing to investigate this case. Anyone with Information is asked to contact Detective Robert Green at (925) 779-6932.

On February 9 just before 10 a.m.  Antioch police received a call of a man chasing another person down the street in the 2000 block of Cambridge Drive while firing a gun.

While en route officers learned that a victim had been confronted by two people who had just forced their way into his residence. He retrieved his handgun and chased them out of his residence. He continued to chase one of them down the street while the other returned to the victim’s residence and stole the victim’s vehicle. The thief then drove past the victim, slowed and allowed his partner to get in. They both fled the neighborhood.

While chasing the subject, the victim fired one round into the ground, attempting to scare the person into stopping and giving up. No one was injured and the only loss was the victim’s vehicle.

On August 22, 2010, a carjacking occurred on Vender Court in Antioch. Cedric Mccroey, 21; Corey Mccroey, 19; and Alfonzo Beasley, 21, were identified as being responsible, according to police. Cedric Mccroey and Alfonzo Beasley were also identified as being responsible for a robbery that occurred in the same area two weeks prior.

Corey Mccroey and Alfonzo Beasley were apprehended by Antioch Police in Antioch several weeks after the carjacking. Cedric Mccroey was never located and evaded Antioch Police investigators for approximately six months.

On February 8, 2011, Cedric Mccroey was located on Magnolia Way in Antioch and was apprehended by APD personnel, including APD SWAT. The house he was associated with on Magnolia Way was searched, and approximately one-half ounce of rock cocaine was located along with paraphernalia associated with sales.

Cedric Mccroey, Corey Mccroey, and Alfonzo Beasley are validated “Towerside” gang members from San Francisco and were all named in a recent city of San Francisco gang injunction, according to police. They have been indicted by a Contra Costa County Grand Jury for the crimes of carjacking, robbery, and participation in a street gang.

Cedric Mccroey also had an outstanding felony warrant issued by San Francisco County for possession of an assault rifle. Alfonzo Beasley is the prime suspect in the Antioch homicide involving the shooting death of Luis Straiten. The homicide occurred in the parking lot of Deer Valley Plaza on March 16, 2007. Alfonzo Beasley has been questioned about his involvement in the homicide after being arrested for the carjacking and robbery. The homicide investigation is ongoing at this time.

Alfonzo Beasley and Corey Mccroey remain in custody on respective bails of $350,000 and $385,000.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects or information on the murder of Luis Straiten should contact Antioch Police Detective Bittner at (925) 779-6939.

One team of volunteers, led by Councilman Gary Agopian (center, in shorts) pick up trash just off Canada Valley Road in Southeast Antioch.

Gun Safe Found Containing Personal Documents, Police Called to the Scene

By Allen Payton, Publisher

About 100 residents, including council members and police commissioners, picked up trash in the neighborhoods and along the streets near Meadow Creek Estates in Southeast Antioch, this morning, February 5, during the monthly Community Clean Up.

Chief Cantando & Dennis Jeglum welcome and provide instructions to the volunteers.

Acting Chief Allan Cantando and Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner Dennis Jeglum thanked those who showed up and gave instructions, as the volunteers divided up in teams to take on various sections of the neighborhood.

One team of volunteers that participated was from the local Target store. Others were some of the people who attended last night’s Take Back Antioch meeting.

Hundreds, if not thousands of pounds of trash was gathered, including a tire, broken flat screen television. The largest find was a gun safe containing personal documents including birth certificates, a marriage license and a receipt for a diamond purchase. After police were called and on their way to the location, two members of the Volunteers In Public Safety remained with the safe and told everyone not to touch anything because “it’s evidence, now.”

The next planned Community Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, March 12.

Gun safe found with personal documents during Community Clean Up.

A bag of trash and a Christmas tree someone dumped on the side of the road.

Two young volunteers gladly show the tire they found.

Some of the trash found and picked up by the volunteers.