Interim Antioch Police Chief Addington administers the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Oath of Honor to all newly promoted Corporal Joseph Chandler, new Officers Rajbir Singh and Joshua Johnson, and new Administrative Analyst Ashley Martinez on Wed., Dec. 18, 2024. All photos by Antioch PD
Promote another to corporal, add administrative analyst
Brings total sworn to 79, will be at 80 on force as of Monday
By Antioch Police Department
What an incredible evening celebrating our future and honoring our dedicated team! On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, we proudly welcomed two new police officers, Officer Johnson and Officer Singh, as well as our new administrative analyst, Ashley Martinez. We also celebrated the well-deserved promotion of Corporal Chandler. Lastly, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Captain Patrick Wentz, whose time with us, though brief, left a profound and lasting impact. Thank you to all for your commitment and service to our community!
Departing Captain Patrick Wenz offered his farewell and was presented with a commemorative plaque.
During the ceremony, Interim Chief Brian Addington shared details on each of the four personnel.
Rajbir Singh – Police Trainee
Rajbir was born in India and moved to the US in 2007. He grew up in Tracy and graduated from Kimball high school in 2020. Rajbir says he is committed to building strong community relationships in the City of Antioch. During his free time, enjoy exercising, playing video games, and watching movies.
Fun fact: Rajbir enjoys training Brazilian jiu jitsu and boxing.
Joshua Johnson – Police Trainee
Joshua was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from Frederick Douglass Senior High School where he played sports to include football, track and field, and cross country. He joined the U.S. Army right out of high school and fulfilled a phenomenal career of 23 years with the U.S. Army. Outside of work, he loves to run and participate in athletic activities. Joshua has fulfilled three college degrees to include an AA in general studies, BS in Leadership, and MS in Leadership. Taking care of his family is very meaningful to him.
Fun fact: Joshua enjoys bird watching and attending live pro-wrestling events.
Ashley was born and raised in the Bay Area. Prior to joining Antioch PD, she worked at Pittsburg PD as the Chief’s Assistant for 7 ½ years. She decided to join Antioch PD for professional growth and to be a little closer to home since she lives in Discovery Bay. Ashley loves to dance and spend quality time with her family and friends. She is very excited to join Antioch PD and is looking forward to meeting all of you!
Fun fact: Ashley loves Zumba and attending outdoor festivals and concerts.
New Antioch Police Corporal Chandler takes his oath of office administered by Interim Chief Addington.
Joseph Chandler, Corporal
After a 13-year career in television sports broadcasting, Joseph Chandler decided that he wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. He became an officer with another agency in 2016, and in 2020, he made the move to become part of the Antioch Police Department. He has enjoyed serving the community.
In his free time, Corporal Chandler loves to spend time with his family, golfing and being on the lake.
The two new additions bring the total of sworn officers on the force to 79 and Addington said that figure will increase to 80, again on Monday because “a cop that left is returning.” Those totals are out of 115 sworn officers approved in the City’s budget.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe speaks as announced, new interim police chief Dr. Steve Ford looks on during a press conference on police staffing and incentive programs for hiring more officers on Monday, April 4, 2022. Herald file photo.
Made by estranged wife during divorce proceedings
Leak exposes City to lawsuit
“This is unfortunate. This is a private, personal matter and has nothing to do with Chief Ford’s past performance” – former City Manager Con Johnson who hired Ford.
An email from Ford’s estranged wife, Julia, who is pursuing a divorce, was sent to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker about the allegations, who in turn informed City Manager Bessie Scott who then began an investigative process. It was confirmed today, Thursday, December 5, that the email referred to in the Times article was sent by Scott only to Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe after he asked her to put in writing details about the matter.
Rumors have circulated recently that Ford was hoping to be hired again as Antioch’s police chief following the election of the new mayor and council members. He endorsed Ron Bernal for mayor and attended an election night party in Antioch where all three candidates and their supporters celebrated.
“Scott’s email is dated Nov. 27, roughly two weeks after Ford’s estranged wife on Nov. 12 emailed city officials accusing Ford of ‘dating someone who worked in Antioch’ last year,” the Times article reads. It also claims that in her email Scott wrote she reported the allegations to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), as required by state law (see below).
In Ford’s retirement announcement on July 19, 2023, just two days after another Times article revealed additional racist text messages among the department’s officers including one referring to him, Ford wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I forward this email to inform that I will be retiring as of August 11th. My time here has been both a tremendous opportunity and quite challenging. What is most meaningful to me are the relationships I have forged. I’m grateful for the way you embraced me and the changes we made. I firmly believe with your help and determination this organization is poised to move forward in a very meaningful way and evolve where anyone would want to work.”
The Times article is based on the reporter’s claim of an internal email by City Manager Bessie Scott dated Wednesday, Nov. 27, that he obtained, which mentions the administrative investigation for which “an outside investigator” has been hired. It also reports that Ford is currently in the midst of a divorce and that the “proceedings began around the time of his resignation.”
As previously reported, Ford’s wife was a 26-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department at the time of his oath of office ceremony in April 2022 and she joined her husband at the podium to pin him with his new chief’s badge.
Former City Manager Con Johnson Shares Concerns About Investigation
Former Antioch City Manager Cornelius “Con” Johnson, who worked with Ford during their time in the San Francisco Police Department, hired him for the top cop position in Antioch.
When reached for comment Johnson said, “This is unfortunate. This is a private, personal matter and has nothing to do with Chief Ford’s past performance. I understand Tamisha received an email from his estranged wife with accusations against the chief.”
“There’s not even a victim,” the former city manager continued. “I’ve never heard of an investigation into a personal matter. We’re still talking about a ghost. We don’t know who the accuser is or if that’s been verified or confirmed. Normally the person would be named. We’ve seen this in other departments. This, here, is a hit piece, a scare campaign to undermine the chief’s performance with the City of Antioch.”
“The facts that have been printed are this complaint came from his estranged wife about possible accusations,” Johnson stated. “I’d just like to caution people to not jump to conclusions until all the facts are in and give the chief the presumption of innocence. It all stems from a divorce process. This is between him and his wife.”
“The City does not have the authority to investigate a former city employee. I’m perplexed. I’ve never heard of an investigation of a former employee,” he added.
Asked about the possibility that the leaked email exposes the City to a lawsuit by Ford, Johnson said emphatically, “Absolutely. Because what ends up happening is, personnel matters are private and this should never have been leaked to the press in the first place and they don’t have the authority.”
“The city manager answers to all city council members. This is an unorthodox way to release information,” he continued. “If all of the council members have not been briefed about this matter, it’s inappropriate in and of itself. The city manager has the legal requirement and responsibility
“It’s very disturbing that two of the council members didn’t know about this and found out about it through the press. That’s completely inappropriate,” Johnson added.
Efforts to reach the former police chief for comment were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Questions for City Staff, Mayor, Two Council Members Go Unanswered
Questions were sent Tuesday morning to City Manager Bess Scott, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Human Resources Director Ana Chavez and the five current council members. They were asked to whom the internal email dated Nov. 27 referenced in the article was sent, and if it was Cortez and Smith. They were also asked who is conducting the administrative investigation into the allegations against Ford.
They were asked if the council members were sent the email or informed of it before the article was published and if so, which council members.
They were also asked if they know who leaked the email to the Times’ reporter, if any of them had done so and if an investigation has been commenced to determine who leaked it.
A copy of the email was also requested to be sent to the Herald.
No responses from the city staff members were received prior to publication time.
Two Council Members Say They Didn’t Receive Email
Asked if they received the email both District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said they did not nor know about it before the article was published.
“Nor have I seen the email,” Barbanica added.
However, both of them said it was a personnel matter, and they shouldn’t have been apprised of a former employee.
“Since it’s a former employee and an HR issue I shouldn’t have notification. Unless there was legal action,” Ogorchock responded.
Ford is “an ex-employee who doesn’t and never did answer to the council,” Barbanica stated. “We’re not apprised of every internal investigation that occurs.”
Hernandez-Thorpe and Councilwomen Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson were also contacted separately with the same questions. Additionally, Torres-Walker was asked about the email she received from Julia Ford. But the mayor and two other council members did not respond prior to publication time.
Hernandez-Thorpe Questioned Without Response
Hernandez-Thorpe was asked separately why he found it necessary to send the city manager’s email about the matter to the media and if it was to derail Ford’s chance to return as police chief. The mayor was also asked if it was a revenge move of payback against Ford and what had happened between the two of them since the mayor had heaped praise on him during his grandiose oath of office ceremony when Ford was first appointed as Antioch’s interim police chief.
During that ceremony, Hernandez-Thorpe said about Ford, “Today, marks a new day for the Antioch Police Department and for our city, Chief Ford is Mr. Police Reform, and I look forward to his leadership getting us past our small divisions and towards a collective and shared vision for our future as a city. So, congratulations, Chief Ford for joining us in the City of Antioch.” (See related article)
Finally, the current mayor, who was recently soundly defeated for re-election and whose last day in the position is next Tuesday, was asked, “Doesn’t your action now expose you and the City to a lawsuit by Steve potentially costing the City taxpayer dollars to pay for outside legal counsel?” and “Is this how you want to leave your position?”
He did not respond to the additional questions prior to publication time.
Public Records Act Requests
A Public Records Act request was made by the Herald for any and all emails from Nov. 27 through Tuesday, December 3, 2024, by and between Scott, Smith, Cortez and Interim Police Chief Brian Addington, any other City of Antioch staff member and any council member, and any email communication by any city council and/or staff member with anyone at the East Bay Times or San Jose Mercury News regarding the allegations against Ford.
They were also asked on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to include any and all emails from council and City staff members to their own personal email accounts and to anyone else about the matter with Ford.
Finally, the four were asked if the release of the email by someone on the council or city staff to the media or anyone else about a former city employee, especially a sworn police officer expose the city and that individual to litigation by Ford.
Investigations of Police Misconduct Required by State Law
The “new law establishes a requirement that peace officers in California be ‘certified’ by POST, to serve in that capacity, and provides a new mechanism by which POST may review an officer’s alleged commission of ‘serious misconduct.’ Of major significance is the ability of POST to now make a determination on whether to suspend or revoke the officer’s certification,” he wrote.
“Beginning January 1, 2023, pursuant to section 13510.8(c)(1), law enforcement agencies are responsible for the completion of investigations of “serious misconduct” even if the officer has resigned employment,” Rains’ article continues.
The article further shares, “Penal Code section 13510.9(a)(2) requires an officer’s employing agency to report to the Commission any complaintorallegation made against an officer that could result in suspension or revocation of an officer’s certification…any findingorrecommendation by a civilian oversight entity, including a civilian review board, civilian police commission, police chief or civilian inspector general, that an officer engaged in conduct subject to suspension or revocation” and “the final disposition of an investigation that determines an officer engaged in conduct that could result in suspension or revocation of certification, regardless of the discipline imposed.”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
47- and 20-year-old victims of 17th shooting in city since Sept. 3
By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On October 19, 2024, at approximately 9:07 PM, Antioch police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. It was reported that at least one person suffered from a gunshot wound. Officers arrived on the scene and found a 47-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers on scene performed first aid until they were relieved by paramedics. The man was transported to a hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
A second victim, a 20-year-old man, arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Through the investigation, it was determined the second victim was on scene of the initial shooting. The 20-year-old victim is in stable condition and expected to survive.
This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.
It is the 17th shooting in Antioch since Sept. 3, which have resulted in two deaths, and the 12th in the Sycamore corridor. That area and Cavallo Road are the two “hot spots” in the city that the mayor’s $500,000 Violence Reduction Initiative approved by the city council last month is focused. (See related article)
By Lt D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On October 16th, at 4:10 pm, Antioch police officers responded to 2600 Fairmont Lane for a welfare check. Shortly after arrival, they discovered the bodies of a 39-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman in advanced stages of decomposition. Officers contacted the suspect, 46-year-old Mark Taylor, as he was attempting to leave the home. Taylor was later discovered to be the son of the dead woman and the half-brother of the male victim.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, took over the investigation. Investigators determined that Taylor murdered his mother and half-brother. Taylor was placed under arrest for two counts of murder and was booked at Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez.
This crime is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. Additional inquiries, tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Adam Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.
UPDATE 1: According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe is white, his birthdate is March 10, 1978, and his middle name is Monroe. But no other additional information has yet been provided
Please check back later for any additional updates.
Saturday afternoon, Oct. 5, 2024, Antioch Police Officer Loroño was conducting proactive patrol in a location known for stolen vehicles. He spotted an occupied suspicious vehicle. As Officer Loroño prepared to make contact, the suspect exited the vehicle and began walking away. Officer Loroño quickly confirmed the vehicle was stolen and pursued the suspect on foot when he refused to comply and fled while manipulating a satchel across his chest.
After a brief chase through multiple yards, community members called in to report the suspect’s direction, allowing dispatch to establish an effective perimeter. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter responded to assist, and Officer Loroño, who recognized the suspect from a previous encounter, continued coordinating the search.
A vigilant resident reported the suspect had discarded his satchel in a backyard. Officer Loroño recovered it, finding a loaded .45 caliber handgun inside. Meanwhile, Officer Marques and K-9 Cato joined the search. Cato successfully tracked the suspect to a front yard, where he was found hiding in a bush and surrendered to K-9 Cato.
Further investigation of the stolen vehicle uncovered additional .45 ammunition. The suspect, who was found to be on active probation, was safely apprehended and booked into county jail.
Outstanding teamwork and collaboration with our community made this arrest possible!
APD officers put their aerial drone up and were able to determine that a juvenile mountain lion (approximately the same size as the neighbor’s adult Rottweiler) was the cause of the noise coming from behind the home.
We have been getting an increased number of reports over the last month and it appears there may be at least two mountain lions being seen more frequently in the following residential areas;
Mountain lion attacks are uncommon and close encounters are usually rare in our area, but it is not unheard of to have mountain lion sightings in the vicinity of trails, easements or the open spaces throughout our City.
Chickens, cats and other pets will attract a big cat to your yard. Water sources that attract wildlife also attract the big kitties.
Please be vigilant.
Bring your pets in at night. Remove food that attracts community cats and wildlife, ensure trash and fallen fruits, etc. are picked up and not attracting critters.
If you experience an attack by a mountain lion, please call 911.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, Antioch Police announced the arrest of one suspect in the shooting of two. Police investigated the shooting scene around a vehicle in the parking lot next to the Rite Aid store on W. 18th Street near A Street Sunday morning, Sept. 22, 2024. Photo courtesy of Mike Burkholder, ContraCosta.news
Involved in a physical altercation with male victim weeks before incident considered an attempted homicide
By Sergeant B. Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
As previously reported, on September 22nd officers responded to a shooting at 20 E. 18th Street, to the rear of Rite Aid. When officers arrived, they located two gunshot wound victims in the parking lot. Officers rendered first aid until ConFire paramedics arrived. The female victim was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The male victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Both victims are expected to survive.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation.
During the investigation it was determined the male victim and suspect had been involved in a physical altercation weeks before the shooting. On September 26th the Violent Crimes Unit took the suspect into custody. The suspect, identified as Bobby Joe Grigsby, Jr. (age 44), was transported to county jail and is pending charges.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Ibañez at (925) 779-6890 or by email ribanez@antiochca.gov.
According to localcrimenews.com, Grigsby is Black, lives in Antioch and was previously arrested on Aug. 2, 2017, by the Concord Police for a warrants or holds only.
According to Investigations Lieutenant Desmond Bittner, the Sunday morning shooting is not connected to the rash of 13 other shootings in Antioch this month.
Both Ibañez and Interim Chief Brian Addington were asked for details about the suspect and if that person was one of two described by dispatch seen leaving the scene of the shooting. But they did not respond prior to publication time. Please check back later for updates.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe was joined by Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil inside City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, for a press conference about the spate of 14 shootings in Antioch so far in September. Source: KTVU FOX2 video screenshot.
Says he’ll show up at suspects’ sentencing hearings, but no arrests have yet been made
“We suspect there are some gang undertones. Our detectives are still trying to flush that out to see how much of that is accurate.” – Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil
“There’s a difference between turf wars and gang wars and…I think it’s turf.” – District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker
“We haven’t had any more shootings,” since additional patrols began in the Sycamore are last Friday – Interim Police Chief Brian Addington.
“We don’t need to put a Band-Aid on the issue. We need to fix it…We need to find solutions together. Not individually…” – District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock
By Allen D. Payton
Without any arrests yet of suspects in the 14 shootings that have plagued the Antioch community this month, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe held a press conference on Wednesday repeating much of what he said in a recorded announcement, Sunday on his official Instagram account, that they’re being investigated as gang-related. That’s in spite of Antioch Police leaders saying on Monday they don’t know for sure the shootings are gang-related, they might be and four of the shootings are unrelated to the first shooting on Sept. 3rd that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Elijah Scales two days later while in the hospital.
However, unlike Sunday’s announcement in which the mayor can be seen standing alone behind a podium inside the Council Chambers, Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil joined him on Wednesday to answer questions from the media. But he did not provide any prepared remarks.
During the press conference, Hernandez-Thorpe said, “I’m angry. Residents are angry and residents are demanding answers. Regardless of where you live in this city, if you live in the hills or you live in Sycamore, everybody in this community deserves peace and tranquility.”
However, again refuting the mayor’s claim that the shootings are being investigated as gang-related, Vigil would only say, “We suspect there are some gang undertones. Our detectives are still trying to flush that out to see how much of that is accurate.”
Hernandez-Thorpe repeated some of what he said on Sunday, that he wants more patrols in the Sycamore corridor, which Interim Police Chief Brian Addington said on Monday had already begun last Friday. The mayor also said he wanted support from partner agencies in the region and will push for more funding, specifically $100,000 in police overtime to cover the costs for help from one of those agencies that he didn’t name, and offered one new proposal, a permit parking program in the Sycamore area to reduce drug activity there.
About the outside assistance Hernandez-Thorpe said, “One agency has taken us up on that offer. We’re excited. I’m not prepared to announce what agency it is. But we will be working to finalize those details.”
Earlier on Wednesday Addington said he would not attend the press conference as he would be at the Contra Costa County Chiefs meeting at the same time. Vigil reiterated that saying, “The chief is at the county chiefs meeting, right now echoing that sentiment to the other county chiefs for assistance to address this regional problem.”
Chief Says Response, Including Additional Patrols Appears to Be Working
Addington also earlier shared some good news on the matter saying that the response including the additional patrols appears to be working and, “we haven’t had any more shootings.” Vigil pegged the timeframe for the calm at 72 hours.
The tough-talking mayor, who is running for re-election in November, also said, “Let me speak very clear to the people who have been wreaking havoc on our community. We are going to find you. We are going to hold you accountable, and you will pay the price for what you have done. And the day you find yourself in court I will be right there at your sentencing hearing to ensure they lock you up and put you away for a long time.”
However, there was no talk this time nor during his Sunday announcement attributing the cause of the shootings to the lack of jobs, as Hernandez-Thorpe stated in a KTVU FOX2 news interview on Sept. 17th.
Although the investigations have not yet resulted in any arrests Vigil said, “There is a lot of information out there that they’re compiling, putting together, trying to get cases ready to present to the D.A. to move forward with arrests and accountability.”
In an interview by ABC7 News following the press conference, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker who represents the Sycamore area also refuted the mayor’s claim that the shootings are gang-related. She said, “There’s a difference between turf wars and gang wars and what I think we’re dealing with, here in the city of Antioch, right now is not, is not, I think it’s turf” reiterating what Chief Addington stated on Monday.
“You have this level of conflict because there are people who are trying to maintain control of their territory,” she continued. “And I think it’s unfortunate that the City of Antioch didn’t address these issues years ago.”
In a separate interview by KTVU FOX2 District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said, “We need to fix the problem. We don’t need to put a Band-Aid on the issue. We need to fix it and find a way to keep that area safe. We need to find solutions together. Not individually, together and we need to work with the community in that area.”
On Monday, and Investigations Lieutenant Desmond Bittner answered questions of two media sources, including the Herald in which he shared more details about the shootings and that four of the five most recent shootings were unrelated to the others in the Sycamore corridor. (See related article and Facebook Live video)
