By Antioch Police Department

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community relationships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring place to live. It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
On “National Night Out,” Tuesday, August 2, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., a representative from the Antioch Police Department, Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Citizen Volunteer, and/or a member of the City Council may visit each participating neighborhood.

If your neighborhood would like to host a gathering and would like members of the Antioch Police Department to stop by, please contact Lt Vigil via email at jvigil@antiochca.gov or call 925-779-6993.

By Darryl Saffold, PIO, Antioch Police Department

While everyone was hopefully enjoying the holiday weekend, your officers have been extremely busy. In addition to addressing the various quality of life issues and helping those in need, your officers have been arresting people that have violated numerous laws and pose a threat to the welfare of our community.

Knowing this post doesn’t acknowledge the extensive work our officers have been doing, we want to paint a picture of the last seven days. Over the last week, eight arrests were made with four illegal firearms recovered, four stolen vehicles recovered that were returned to their rightful owners, as well as several warrant arrests were made.

We are extremely proud of how hard our officers work, considering the number of resources at our disposal. Despite some staffing challenges, at the Antioch Police Department we are committed to ensuring public safety. Thank you for your ongoing support, we couldn’t do what we do without it. #safestreets #noguns

Note: Placement of photos do not necessarily relate to the person(s) arrested or crime(s) committed next to them.

Details

DATE:  6/30/22                      TIME:  1631              CHARGE(S):  29800(a)(1) PC, 417(a)(2) PC – for Drive By Shooting, Felon in Possession of Firearm

LOCATION: Sycamore Drive

ARRESTEE(S): Therel Shurki Scott (5/31/79)

SYNOPSIS: Officers responded to the area of Sycamore Drive for a report of a drive by shooting. The VIC stated her apartment and vehicle were hit by gunfire and the unknown responsible fled the scene. While officers were investigating the incident, security at Sycamore Square reported being the victim of a brandishing from a firearm. The suspect description matched the suspect from the shooting and a vehicle license plate was obtained. The suspect vehicle was located on a nearby street and the driver, 43-year-old Therel Scott, was detained without incident.

A loaded 9mm pistol was located tucked between the driver’s seat and the center console. Officers were able to develop enough evidence to charge Scott for the shooting as well as the brandishing. Scott was found to be a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing the firearm located in his vehicle. Scott was later booked at Martinz Detention Facility (MDF) aka county jail.

******************************************************************************

DATE:7/1/2022            TIME: 1442                    CHARGE(S): CVC 2800.2 & PC 496(d) – for Stolen Vehicle

LOCATION: Lemontree Way/Sycamore Drive

ARRESTEE(S): Tayshaun I’maike Scott-Hunter (8/23/2003)

SYNOPSIS: Officer Mulholland located a gold Honda sedan that been reported a stolen. The vehicle was taken after a robbery in Oakland. Officer Mulholland attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled. The driver immediately got onto SR-4 westbound and the pursuit ended when the Honda grazed a commercial vehicle. This sent the Honda into a spin and it collided with a K-rail. The Honda came to rest after impact and the driver, 18-year-old Tayshaun Scott-Hunter, was taken into custody without further incident.

Officer Morris called the victim and found out he was robbed of his keys, wallet and cell phone when the vehicle was taken. During a search incident to arrest, Scott-Hunter was found to be in possession of the victim’s keys. He was ultimately booked into MDF for the above listed charges after medical clearance.

******************************************************************************

DATE:  7/1/22                        TIME:  1630          CHARGE(S):  10851(a) CVC – for Stolen Vehicle, Weapons Charges

LOCATION: 7-11 Century Blvd

ARRESTEE(S): Josue Torres (12/17/75)

SYNOPSIS:  Officers were circulating the Sycamore Drive searching for a reported stolen Mercedes SUV. The vehicle was located parked at the 7-11 on Century Blvd and the driver, 46-year-old Josue Torres, was arrested without incident. Torres was found to be on AB109 for weapons charges and was later booked at MDF.

******************************************************************************

DATE:  7/1/22                        TIME:  1823        CHARGE(S): WRNO – for Shooting in Santa Cruz

LOCATION: San Jose Drive and Buchanan Rd

ARRESTEE(S): Terry Robinson (6/13/96)

SYNOPSIS: Officer Nutt conducted a traffic enforcement stop and the passenger, 26-year-old Terry Robinson, was found to have a warrant for his arrest in relation to a shooting in Santa Cruz. Robinson was detained without incident. Robinson was booked at MDF on his outstanding warrant.

******************************************************************************

DATE:  7/1/22                        TIME:  1842                               Armed Robbery in Danville

LOCATION: San Jose Drive

SYNOPSIS: Danville PD sent a BOLO for an armed robbery vehicle in which a Rolex was stolen from a subject at gunpoint in their city. The suspects were reportedly armed with an AR-15 rifle and a pistol. A short time later, they requested Code 3 cover for their plain clothes detectives who were following the suspect vehicle into the apartment complex at 2005 San Jose Drive. Several APD officers were clearing a call on San Jose Drive and arrived within seconds and located the vehicle inside the complex. Two passengers foot-bailed but the driver was arrested without incident. The AR-15 and pistol were located on the back seat of the suspect vehicle. The front passenger was taken into custody by APD officers after a short foot pursuit inside the complex. Star 3 was overhead and maintained visual on the third suspect as he ran south through the lot and onto Buchanan Rd. He was challenged by APD officers and a Contra Costa County K9 and was arrested after a brief struggle. (See related article)

******************************************************************************

DATE: 7/3/2022                     TIME: 2231                CHARGE(S): CVC 10851 – for Stolen Vehicle

LOCATION: 19th Hole, E. Tregallas

ARRESTEE: Justin Griffin, 35

OTHER INVOLVED: N/A

SYNOPSIS: Officer Angelini watched an occupied stolen vehicle pull into the parking lot of the 19th Hole. He conducted a stop and took the driver, Justin Griffin, into custody without incident.

******************************************************************************

DATE: 7/4/2022                     TIME: 1740           Post Release Community Supervision violation warrant

LOCATION: J Street

ARRESTEE: Terry Domino Ferguson 4/16/1985

OTHER INVOLVED: N/A

SYNOPSIS: Several SWAT officers were on foot patrol in the downtown area and noticed 37-year-old Terry Ferguson working on a vehicle in front on J Street. They were familiar with Ferguson from a prior SWAT operation in which Ferguson was arrested for weapons manufacturing. A record check showed Ferguson to have an outstanding Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) violation warrant. Ferguson was contacted and attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody without incident. A PRCS search was conducted on Ferguson’s apartment and a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm pistol was located in a backpack that belonged to Ferguson. Ferguson was later booked at MDF.

******************************************************************************

DATE: 7/4/2022                      TIME: 1650                CHARGE(S): CVC 10851(a) – for Stolen Vehicle

LOCATION: 2540 Verne Roberts Circle

ARRESTEE: Richard Charles Lewis, 8/22/1991                                VICTIM: Antioch Resident

OTHER INVOLVED: N/A

SYNOPSIS: Officers responded to the report of a vehicle theft that occurred about 4:50 pm at 2540 Verne Roberts Circle. The victim caught the suspect (later identified as, Richard Lewis) in the act of stealing his vehicle. Lewis was unsuccessful in his attempt to steal the car and fled the scene on foot. Officers quickly arrived and set up a perimeter. Eventually, Officer Pedreira located Lewis hiding behind a large bush and was taken into custody. Lewis, age 30 was positively identified as the responsible during an in-field show up. He was booked into MDF.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

The 113th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will be cleaning the neighborhood around Fremont Elementary School Area including F and G Streets and all the streets off of them from 11th Street down to 20th Street, including part of D Street. Volunteers should meet at the Fremont Elementary School parking lot, 1413 F Street.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 113th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission, Neighborhood Watch Program, Volunteers in Police Service, community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis, and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!

 

18-year-old from San Jose and two juveniles; Antioch Police, Sheriff’s Office STARR helicopter assist in search

By Danville Police Department

On Friday, July 1, 2022, at about 4:36 PM, Danville police officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the Trader Joe’s grocery store parking lot located on Railroad Avenue in Danville.

The victim reported he was held up at gunpoint by two suspects as he exited his car. The suspects fled in a waiting vehicle with the victim’s personal property.

Danville police and Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs along with Sheriff’s Office STARR helicopter began an extensive search for the suspects. Other law enforcement agencies were also notified.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division located the suspect vehicle in Antioch. With the assistance of the Antioch police department and STARR helicopter, all three suspects were arrested.

One suspect is identified as 18-year-old Leon Cathay Fountain of San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include armed robbery, conspiracy, participating in a criminal street gang, and several weapons violations. He is being held in lieu of $380,000 bail.

The two other suspects are juveniles and are not being identified.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Armed Robbery at Trader Joe’s in Danville this afternoon. Vehicle fled the scene. No injuries.

Other driver, parents dispute police report, claim police car hit his, have a witness; APD investigation into accident ongoing

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, on Monday, July 4 at approximately 9:32 pm, Antioch Police Officer Lundin was responding Code 3 (lights and sirens) to an emergency of a house that caught fire due to fireworks.

“When she approached the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Wildflower Drive,” he explained. “As she slowly crept into the intersection, making sure it was clear for her to safely proceed, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed T-boned her patrol vehicle on the passenger side.”

The father of the driver arrived on the scene to find out where his son’s car was towed. He said his son’s car was sideswiped by the police vehicle while chasing another car just his son who is 21 “is banged up a bit but he’s OK.”

7/5/22 12:30 PM UPDATE: However, Saffold in an updated report said, “witnesses stated Officer Lundin was slowly and methodically clearing the intersection when the other driver who was traveling at a high rate of speed was not able to stop or avoid the collision.”

Saffold also shared that the investigation of the incident is ongoing and that we haven’t determined fault, yet. He said he misspoke that the other driver was at fault, in an earlier version of this report.

The 21-year-old driver of the other car and his parents are disputing what APD is reporting about the incident and claim the police officer’s vehicle struck his car. In addition, his mother spoke to a witness who saw the entire incident and offered a different report. The father said he is trying to find which tow yard has his son’s car and will provide photos of it once he finds it. The driver of the other car was also transported to a local hospital, but an X-ray showed no fractures to his leg, which was hurt in the collision and caused him to limp after exiting his vehicle with help from a firefighter. (See more details in a separate article, later)

Asked if there was dash cam footage from the police car, Saffold responded, “we don’t have dash cams.” Asked if there are traffic cameras on the stoplights, he responded, “the investigation is ongoing as to any surveillance in the area.”

Hillcrest was closed in the southbound direction between Wildflower Drive and the back entrance to the Safeway shopping center and traffic was diverted through the back alley behind the stores.

According to an officer on the scene no officers were injured. However, “Officer Lundin was transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries and is in good spirits,” Saffold shared. “No alcohol or drugs were involved.”

Violent crime up 26% from 2020 to 2021, Priority 1 call response times increasing

By Allen D. Payton

Now that the effort to recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe has ended, he finally placed on the agenda the annual crime report during the Antioch City Council meeting on June 14, 2022. Interim Police Chief Steve Ford’s presentation that night shows murder in the city is up 400% with five this year versus one last year between Jan. 1 and May 31, and rapes increased by 380% to 24 this year versus five, last year during the same time period. However, the report shows overall major crimes decreased 8.13% in Antioch during the first five months of the year, with a total of 1,084 this year compared to 1,180 last year. In addition, while the report shows a 9.2% decrease in overall Part I crimes from 2020 to 2021, violent crimes increased 26%.

Major crimes that are reported to the FBI also include aggravated assault which was down 13.5%, with 193 this year compared to 223, last year; robbery, up 58% with 54 reported this year versus 34 last year; burglary down 30% with 109 vs. 139 this year over last; theft down 19% with 444 this year compared to 548 last year; auto theft up 13.1% with 242 cars stolen this year versus 214 last year; and arson down 13.3% with 13 this year versus 16 last year.

Violent Crime Increased During 2021 Over 2020

Regarding violent crimes, which include homicide, aggravated assault, rape and robbery, the report states, “Homicides have remained relatively consistent over the years, but aggravated assaults have increasingly dominated our violent crime numbers,” with 343 aggravated assaults out of 648 total violent crimes in 2019, 400 out of 592 in 2020 and 507 out of 693 in 2021.

Comparing statistics for 2021 to 2020 violent crimes increased 7% in Antioch from 648 to 693 with homicides up 20% with 12 versus 10, year over year, rapes decreased 2.5% from 40 to 39, robbery down 4.9% from 142 to 135, and increase in aggravated assaults by 27% with 507 in 2021 versus 400 in 2020.

There have been a few changes in the statistics from what is on the APD’s website to what was provided in Ford’s presentation.

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, “The most current data is on our new crime statistics website (https://www.antiochca.gov/police/crime-statistics/), as well as an explanation of the change from UCR to NIBRS and how that impacts our numbers. Additionally, I should note that none of the numbers are final until all of the reports for that time period have been audited and submitted to DOJ.”

“December 2021 data was just recently completed, 2022 crime data is all fluid and subject to change,” he continued. “We plan to update the website and adjust it monthly, in an effort to provide more ongoing transparency.”

“Regarding the 2020 data, we had to amend a couple reports after submission to the DOJ (i.e. one of our homicides was initially reported to UCR as justified, but it was not per UCR criterion; two aggravated assaults were reclassified as simple assaults),” Saffold explained further. “For 2020, the correct total for homicides was indeed 10 and the correct total for aggravated assaults was 400. The old website chart…for 2020 was created before these DOJ adjustments I have attached the new one and will update the one on the website.”

Average Response Times

The report also shows average response times reducing over the past nine years, but “2022 response times are slowly increasing, in part due to staffing shortage”. Priority 1 calls experienced an increase in average response times from 7 minutes 36 seconds in 2020, to 9 minutes 1 second so far in 2022.

Use of Force Stats

The report provides use of force statistics for 2021 and 2022. “In 2021, out of 89,016 calls for service, force was used to effect arrest in 111 incidents or in 0.125% of calls,” the report shows. Through May 2022, out of 649 arrests use of force was required four times or in just 0.616% of calls.

According to the report, actions compelling Uses of Force include “Active Aggression, Assault on Officer, Resisting Arrest, Non-Compliance and Armed Subject”. Types of use of force in 2021 included: OC Spray, Carotid, Flashlight, 40 mm ECW/Taser, K-9 Utilized, and Physical/Other.

Citizen Complaints

The report also includes statistics on Citizen Complaints against Antioch Police Officers from 2019 through May 2022. Because each complaint may have multiple allegations or

multiple employees involved and each employee may have multiple allegations, the number of allegations counted per incident and by employee is higher

than the total number of complaints and employees involved.

2019 – 26 Total Complaints with 35 allegations, 39 involved employees (or APD) with 89 allegations.

2020 – 24 Total Complaints with 39 allegations, 48 involved employees (or APD) with 117 allegations

2021 – 23 Total Complaints with 37 allegations, 39* involved employees (or APD) with 83 allegations

2022 – 2 Complaints for 2022 are being processed and pending*.

*The number of involved employees involved in complaints in 2021/2022 may change as pending investigations develop.

Community Engagement

Finally, the report shows the “Antioch Police Department supports proactive engagement with our community members through neighborhood meetings, annual events, youth outreach, demonstrations, forums, and social media.”

“In 2021, APD Officers participated in 683 Community Policing Activities” and “235…so far in 2022”. Those activities included Holiday Adopt a Family, Holiday Food Drive, Holiday Toy Giveaway, Halloween Trick-or-Treat, Birthday Parades, Citizen’s Academy, Youth Academy, Coffee with the Cops, Tip-A-Cop, Torch Run, Community Fundraisers and Bridging the Gap forums.

By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On June 17th, 2022, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant District Director for San Jose Alberto Raymond formalize a partnership to combat wage theft and protect workers’ rights.

Both agencies commemorate the agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the District Attorney’s Office in Martinez. The MOU means the DA’s Office will be devoting resources to prosecute criminal wage theft cases to curtail labor trafficking, unfair business practices, payroll tax evasion, and wage and hour violations. To do this, District Attorney Becton will create a Workplace Justice Unit that’s committed to a fair and equitable workplace.

Becton noted, “While the DA’s Office and the Department of Labor have had an informal relationship on human labor trafficking and wage theft cases since 2014, this Memorandum of Understanding marks the start of a formal five-year partnership to continue our efforts to seek justice for victims of crime.”

Wage theft affects victims in various ways – and at all income levels. Some workers are denied overtime or are paid less than the minimum wage per hour. Some employers also refuse to pay bonuses, vacation pay, or reimbursement of business expenses. According to investigations by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division in 2021, U.S. workers were denied over 230-million dollars in back pay.1

“Cooperation between federal and local agencies is critical in the fight against all forms of wage theft here in Contra Costa County and elsewhere in the country,” Assistant District Director Raymond said. “The formal renewal of this longstanding partnership highlights our determination and commitment to combat wage theft and to hold their perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Wage theft is a felony punishable by up to three years in jail. Employers caught stealing from their employees may be personally liable for unpaid wages and face criminal asset forfeiture actions.2

In addition to investigating and prosecuting cases, both agencies will conduct community outreach programs to inform the public about reporting wage theft — as well as provide resources for employers to help them follow labor and payroll tax laws.

If you are a victim of wage theft, call 1-866-4-USWAGE or contact the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office at: DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org.

1 U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Labor Division (FY 2021) data found a total of $234,280,603.96 in back pay was owed to workers.

2 Pursuant to PC section 186.11

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Safford, there were three shooting incidents in the city on Friday and Saturday. No one was injured.

There was a shooting on Friday, June 24 8:37pm. The victim was at home with her young children when she heard shots from the area of 7-11 on the corner of Buchanan Road and Gentrytown Drive. An upstairs window to their home was later discovered to be broken and officers located a bullet inside a closet to the home. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, June 25 at 2:49am, Officers were dispatched to the area of Greystone Court for multiple calls of shots fired after a loud argument was heard. When officers arrived, they located several spent casings in the area. There were no victims, and the investigation is ongoing

Then again on Saturday, June 25, at 4:36pm Officers responded to shots fired in the area of Spanos Way for numerous reports of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and located numerous spent casings. There were no witnesses, video or reported injuries and the investigation is ongoing.