Stolen items from the Antioch Target store recovered by police. Photo: APD
After employee was rammed with shopping cart
By Antioch Police Department
Antioch Officers were dispatched to Target on Lone Tree Way for a reported theft. When a Target employee tried to intervene, one of the suspects rammed the employee with a shopping cart and threatened them, turning this simple theft into a robbery. Three suspects—one male and two females—fled the scene in a vehicle with the stolen merchandise.
Thanks to quick coordination with the Brentwood Police Department, the suspect vehicle was located at a Safeway in Brentwood, where another robbery had just occurred. Working with the victims in this case, three of the four suspects were positively identified, and the stolen property was returned to Target.
The suspects were booked at Martinez Detention Facility for robbery.
The sideshow driver was stopped by Antioch Police Officers, cited, arrested and his car towed and impounded for 30 days. Photos: APD
Before new ordinance banning organizers, advertisers and spectators, goes into effect at end of August
By Antioch Police Department
Reckless Driving Arrest and 30-Day Impound
On Wednesday night, July 31, 2024, Officers Mayorga and Tanguma took decisive action against dangerous sideshow activity in our community. They observed a vehicle doing donuts and driving on the wrong side of the road at East 18th Street and Evergreen Drive, putting everyone at risk. The driver was promptly stopped on Sunset Drive near Hillcrest Avenue, arrested for reckless driving, and the vehicle has been impounded for 30 days.
We are committed to keeping our streets safe and free from illegal activities that endanger lives. Reckless driving is not only illegal but can have serious consequences.
Thank you to Officers Tanguma and Mayorga for their swift response and dedication to public safety! Together, we can make Antioch safer for all!
The new ordinance adopted by the Antioch City Council last month which also bans organizers, advertisers and spectators, will go into effect at the end of August giving police another tool to prevent them in Antioch. (See related articles here and here)
An Antioch Police vehicle attemps to disable the stolen pickup on Wednesday afternoon, July 31, 2024. Screenshots of video posted on Next Door. (Source chose to remain anonymous)
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Police arrested a suspected double car thief Wednesday afternoon while the man first on foot, then during a slow chase near Lake Alhambra.
According to Lt. Matt Koch, “Officers were following up with an occupied stolen vehicle in the 400 block of Grangnelli Avenue. Officers went to make contact with the 36-year-old driver, he bailed, fled on foot and ran over to North Lake Drive where he got into another pickup truck.
“As officers were contacting him in the truck he tried to flee from officers, again. Ultimately a marked police car tried to disable the pickup truck and the driver took the officers on a slow-speed chase,” Koch continued. “The suspect was ultimately apprehended on Plymouth Lane, taken into custody and later booked into county jail.”
By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit
On July 27, 2024, at approximately 7:43 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in front of Bev Box at 907 W. 10th Street. Officers found the 32-year-old male (Brentwood resident) motorcyclist on the ground and unresponsive. Officers performed lifesaving aid and the motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Traffic Accident Investigators took over the investigation and determined from witness statements and from video collected at the scene that speed was a contributing factor to the crash. This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Traffic Collision Investigator Sergeant Green at 925-779-6864, email rgreen@antiochca.gov. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
New Antioch Police Officer Pedro Diaz (left) was sworn in, and Sgt. Kris Palma, Corporal Dan Fachner, Sgt. Randall Gragg, and Sgt. Bill Whitaker were promoted by Interim Chief Brian Addington (right) on July 8, 2024. Photo by APD
Three to sergeant, one to corporal; sergeant, CSO honored with CHP 10851 award
Brings force to 76 sworn officers
By Allen D. Payton
During a ceremony on Monday, July 8, 2024, Antioch Interim Police Chief Brian Addington swore in one new officer and promoted four others within the department. He offered background on each and also administered the Oath of Honor to the five.
In addition, Sgt. Rob Green and CSO Rudy Nieves received the CHP 10851 award for their recovery of a number of stolen vehicles
CSO Rudy Nieves (left) and Sgt. Rob Green (right) were presented with the CHP 10851 award by Interim Chief Brian Addington on July 8, 2024. Photo by ADP
Sgt. Bill Whitaker
Bill Whitaker has been a police officer for over 22 years. He started his career at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, working as a police officer and a firefighter. Since he joined APD Sgt. Whitaker has held specialty positions as a CSI, FTO, K9 handler, and detective.
He has also held collateral assignments as a gang investigator, drone operator, recruiting team, and background investigator.
Sgt. Whitaker enjoys teaching and mentoring the next generation of police officers. He is an EVOC Instructor, use-of-force instructor, and K9 evaluator.
Off duty, he enjoys relaxing with family and friends, watching his son play football, and watching documentaries.
Sgt. Whitaker is honored to move from Corporal to Sergeant and is excited about the new challenge of further serving the community.
Fun Fact: If Bill could live on a farm and raise hurds of dogs for a job he would retire.
Sgt. Kris Palma
Kris was raised in Martinez. He graduated from Alhambra High School and pursued his dream of becoming a police officer. Sgt. Palma started as a civilian with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office before attending the Law Enforcement Training Center in Pittsburg. His passion for policing came from his father, who served 39 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Sgt. Palma also has a brother who serves as a police Lieutenant in the neighboring community of Pittsburg.
He started his career with the Richmond Police Department, where he spent 15 years as a police officer. While with Richmond PD, Sgt. Palma excelled in several assignments, including Field Training Officer, SWAT team member, Firearms and Tactics Instructor, K-9 handler, and Robbery Unit detective. He engaged with the community by teaching several blocks of instruction for the department’s Citizens’ Academy, speaking to at-risk youth, and participating in numerous K-9 demonstrations.
In 2016, Sgt. Palma was voted Officer of the Year by his peers for outstanding leadership and community service. During the same year, he received a Life Saving Metal for rendering lifesaving aid to a kindergarten teacher who was the unintended victim of a nearby shooting.
Sgt. Palma joined the Antioch Police Department in 2021. Due to his experience, he was selected as a FTO, Firearms instructor, SWAT team member, and Detective in the Special Investigations Unit. Sgt. Palma was chosen to be deputized as a United States Marshal and served with the USMS Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Most recently, he took on the role of the acting sergeant of the Investigations Bureau, where he was afforded the opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest detectives.
Sgt. Palma is married to his amazing wife Lurdes, who when not at home with their three boys, spends her time in the emergency room helping those in need as a registered nurse.
Fun Fact: Kris loves spending time with his family, camping trips, and coaching his boys in baseball and football.
Sgt Randall Gragg
Sgt. Gragg grew up in Antioch. He graduated from Contra Costa County’s 175th Law Enforcement Academy and was sworn in with Antioch PD in November 2014. His experience includes over five years of patrol. While assigned to patrol, he was a member of the Vehicle Theft Suppression and Enforcement Team (VSET), APD’s Honor Guard, and currently is a SWAT team member and SWAT Sniper.
Sgt. Gragg has been assigned to Investigations for just over four years. He has worked a variety of assignments within Investigations, but most recently, he has been assigned as a homicide and violent crimes detective. He has recently participated in the APD Mentorship Program and become a WRAP instructor.
Before Law Enforcement, Sgt. Gragg served in the USMC reserves for six years as an infantry Marine from 2009-2015.
He has three AAs from Los Medanos College in Social Science, Art and Humanities, Math, and Behavioral Science.
Sgt Gragg is married with three kids, and a fourth is almost due. In his free time, he enjoys working out and spending time with his family.
Fun Fact: Randall is currently learning to play the guitar.
Corporal Dan Fachner
Dan grew up in the Bay Area and enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 after graduating high school. He served on active duty for 11 years as a jet engine mechanic on KC-135 air refuelers. In 2001, Corporal Fachner was honorably discharged from active duty in the Air Force and hired by the San Jose Police Department as a Police Officer. He attended and graduated from the San Jose Police Academy at Evergreen Community College.
9/11 occurred during his Police academy, and Corporal Fachner decided to serve his country again and joined the Air Force Reserves. After graduating from the Police Academy, he was activated and returned to active-duty service. Corporal Fachner proudly served during Operation Enduring Freedom, where he worked on KC10 aircraft refuelers, responsible for worldwide support.
While at the San Jose Police Department, Corporal Fachner worked in patrol field services for 12 years. He was a Rifle Team member and an instructor for the field training program. Dan had a collateral assignment as a gang suppression officer, where he helped reduce gang crimes in the City of San Jose.
In 2013 Corporal Fachner retired from the Air Force after serving for 23 years. He joined the Antioch Police Department in 2013 as a Police Officer and was assigned to patrol field services. While in patrol field services, Dan was a K9 handler, Rifle Team member, Field Training Officer, and Drone Operator. He had a collateral assignment and was assigned to the Contra Costa County Vehicle Suppression Enforcement Team, which focused on reducing vehicle thefts.
Corporal Fachner enjoys traveling with his wife, Crissy, when he is not at work. He is also an avid golfer and bass fisherman.
Fun Fact: Dan recently qualified for a bass fishing Tournament of Champions series, where he could win a new bass boat.
New Officer Pedro Diaz
Pedro was raised in Linden, CA, and then moved to Stockton, CA, where he currently lives. Officer Diaz graduated from the San Joaquin Delta Post Academy last October. He is dedicated and hopes to make an impact in the City of Antioch.
Fun Fact: Officer Diaz likes to play soccer.
With the addition of Diaz, that brings the total to 76 sworn officers on the Antioch Police force out of 115 authorized in the budget.
In the 3rd photo, it’s the promotions and the order is Palma, Fachner, Gragg, and Whitaker.
The Flock Safety camera system technology was used to ID the shooting suspect’s vehicle. He was stopped, arrested and his gun, ammunition and drugs were confiscated. Photos (left & center) by Flock Safety, (right) by CHP
Bay Bridge road-rageshooting suspect from San Pablo, former Antioch resident, identified, arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies
6’7″ felon charged with attempted murder, multiple gun crimes
By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, CHP Office of Media Relations
A freeway shooting suspect is in custody and a firearm has been recovered after a road rage incident on the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) early Monday morning, July 1, 2024. The suspect was identified through one of the newly installed high-tech “Flock” cameras, which provide law enforcement with real-time information and alerts to identify and locate vehicles associated with criminal activity. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the purchase of the cameras as part of the state’s ongoing public safety investments and work in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.
“Through new state-of-the-art technology and the deployment of officers, California is doubling down in our efforts to keep our communities safe. I thank the California Highway Patrol and allied agencies for their persistent work to secure accountability in this case and help ensure that Californians are safe and secure,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“The CHP is excited to have this new technology located on freeways in the Bay Area,” said Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our investigators will utilize this technology to identify and apprehend those who engage in criminal activity and put California’s motorists at risk.”
On Monday, July 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s San Francisco Area office were dispatched to a call of a freeway shooting on westbound Interstate-80, just west of the Treasure Island on-ramp. Officers were advised, the victim in the incident was not struck by the bullet; however, he received lacerations from flying glass inside the vehicle. The victim was able to safely exit the freeway, into the city of San Francisco, where she was met by officers and paramedics.
Detectives from the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to the scene and spoke with the victim, who mentioned the shooting took place following a merging conflict on the Treasure Island on ramp. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained, allowing detectives to begin a review of Flock camera data. Detectives quickly identified the suspect vehicle and obtained a license plate number, which allowed them to issue a “Be on the lookout” (BOLO) broadcast to Bay Area law enforcement agencies.
At approximately 10:20 a.m., Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle traveling on 7th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Richmond and conducted an enforcement stop. The driver, 42-year-old Adrian Martinez Emerson of San Pablo, Calif., was detained and turned over to SIU detectives for questioning. A search of Emerson’s 2016 Honda Accord resulted in the recovery of a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting.
Emerson was subsequently booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, seven-inch, 170-pound Emerson is Black and was previously arrested by Richmond Police in 2014 on felony parole violation while he was an Antioch resident. No additional information could be located from an online search about Emerson’s previous conviction.
According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, he is being held on no bail and is also include discharge of a firearm at an inhabited enclosure or vehicle, possession of firearm with prior conviction and by a felon, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, possession of ammunition, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm. His court date has not yet been set.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
By Sergeant Kristian Palma #6286, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On July 3, 2024, at approximately 11:26 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the 1600 block of Vineyard Drive for a report of a 58-year-old man shot near the vineyards.
When officers arrived, they located a male adult suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Antioch
Police Officers rendered medical aid until the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District took over care. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second victim, 44-year-old female adult, later arrived at Sutter Delta Medical Hospital. The second victim suffered at least one gunshot wound and was transported to John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek in critical condition.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released. The identities of the victims are being withheld pending notification to the next of kin. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the community.
Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by emailing Jcox@antiochca.gov.
Following chase, a vehicle identified in a Manteca armed robbery was stopped, driver and passenger arrested for an outstanding warrant, drugs on June 27, 2024. Photo: APD
30-year-old man from Oakland wanted in Napa, has history of arrests
Manteca Police search Antioch home, but make no arrests, yet
By Allen D. Payton
A post on the Antioch Police Department’s Facebook page on Thursday, June 27, 2024, announced the arrest of two suspects wanted for the armed robbery of a business in Manteca.
It reads, “Collaboration and dedication to keeping our communities safe. Antioch PD officers assisted Manteca Police Department with the arrest of two people wanted for an armed robbery of a business.
The suspects led our officers on a brief chase this afternoon, but they didn’t get far. Our officers safely detained the two suspects. Thanks to our strong partnerships with our allied agencies, we are getting violent criminals off our streets.”
However, according to Manteca Police Sergeant Steven Beermann, “There was no arrest for the robbery. There was a drug offense arrest that our officers handled.”
A press release from Manteca PD on Monday, July 1st, announced, “Two masked suspects, armed with firearms, robbed the Manteca Verizon Store – at 190 Commerce Avenue – about 10:41 AM on June 26, 2024. The gun was pointed at the employees and customers as they were forced into a back room. Multiple cellular phones were taken from a safe. Witnesses provided immediate tips to officers which led to follow-up investigation in Antioch, CA on June 27, 2024.
The suspects were described as both being Black male adults, 20-25 years-old, and wearing masks.
Witness information led to a residence in Antioch and the suspect car. A search warrant was executed at the residence and people associated with the car were interviewed and released.
Manteca Police Department Detectives are currently continuing the investigation and more information will be available if an arrest is made.
The case number is 24-002886. The Lead Detective is Garret Morrison. Call the Manteca Police Department if you have witness information or can supply a tip to help solve this case: 209.456.8101.”
Later, Antioch Police Sgt. Kristian Palma clarified what had occurred.
“As far as the arrests we made they weren’t in relation to Manteca’s robbery investigation,” he stated. “The vehicle was related to it. Our arrests were based on the driver for an outstanding warrant from another county and the passenger was arrested and cite released at the scene for narcotics violations.”
The warrant for the driver, Terrance Deandre Fontenette, age 30 (born 6/6/94), of Oakland, was from Napa County.
“The vehicle itself was connected to the robbery, but the people inside, we don’t know if they were connected to the robbery,” Palma continued. “Manteca did come out and do their own search warrant at the home in the 4500 block of Wagon Trail Way. We were not there.”
“They identified the car involved in the Manteca robbery. It was found in Antioch and a stop was made on it. That information was provided to Manteca,” the Antioch Police sergeant added. “We don’t know, yet if they were the same suspects from the armed robbery in Manteca.”
According to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 165-pound, Fontenette is African American, was transferred from jail in Contra Costa County on Friday, June 28 and is being held in the Napa County Jail on $25,000 bail.
According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by Oakland PD, Oakland CHP and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for crimes including four times for vehicle theft, plus, grand theft, burglary, receiving or concealing stolen property, gun violations, hit-and-run resulting in property damage and conspiracy to commit a crime.
