Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe refuses to place the hiring of mor police on a meeting agenda in violation of council policy. Source: Facebook

Although three council members have requested it, two last July

By Allen D. Payton

At the end of the Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock became the third council member in seven months to request Mayor Lamar Thorpe place the hiring of additional sworn police officers on a council agenda. The mayor is required by council policy to place an item requested by any council member on a council agenda within six months of the request. But the agendas on Jan. 23, Feb. 8 did not include an item for discussing and approving the hiring of more officers, nor does the council meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, causing Thorpe to be in violation of council policy.

Previous Requests for Hiring More Police

On July 17, 2021, following crime problems in the Sycamore Square Shopping Center, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker asked Thorpe to place on the next council meeting agenda the hiring of four additional police officers and to focus them on the Sycamore corridor. Earlier that same week, District 2 Councilman and now Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica told Thorpe he was calling for increasing the Antioch police force by 2.5% per year until the department reaches the state standard of 1.48 sworn officers per 1,000 population. That would add about three officers per year over the next two years above the 115 currently allocated in the budget and give the city 170 total sworn officers.

Recent Requests for Hiring More Police

Then during the council meeting on Jan. 23, Barbanica again asked Thorpe to place the hiring of more officers on the agenda for discussion and a vote.

In comments about last month’s double murder of a woman and her 15-year-old stepson who Torres-Walker knew, as previously reported, the councilwoman wrote, “This didn’t have to happen, but I guess politics matters more than people.” She was referring to Thorpe not supporting or placing her proposal on a council agenda of hiring four more officers for the Sycamore area of Antioch, where the double homicide occurred. (See related articles here and here)

On January 31, following the double murder, Ogorchock told the Herald, “on the Feb. 8 council meeting agenda, the mayor needs to place the hiring of more police officers as Mayor Pro Tem Barbanica requested at the meeting of Jan 23rd. This is not a political issue. It’s a matter of public safety. Our residents should come before any individuals’ political agenda. The safety of our residents should be the number priority of this council. Only the mayor can place items on the agenda and this needs to become his priority.”

During the Feb. 8 council meeting, Ogorchock pointed out that City Attorney Thomas L. Smith had previously stated three council members can place an item on a council agenda or call a special meeting to discuss a matter they support if the mayor refuses to place it on a regular council meeting agenda.

Thorpe said he disagreed with that viewpoint.

No Additional Police in This or Next Year’s Budgets

While Thorpe has argued in the past that he’s not for defunding police, he continues to prevent the funding of additional officers, in spite of large increases in revenue in both this and next year’s budgets.

This year’s budget, which includes an increase in revenue of $5.6 million to the General Fund which pays for police, and next year’s budget shows a projected increase of $8.7 million in revenue. But the hiring of additional police officers was not included. Instead, the council majority on a 4-1 vote approved the creation of a new Community Resources Department and the hiring of 17 other city employees, including seven long desired Code Enforcement Officers. (See related article)

As previously reported, during the Nov. 23, 2021, council meeting, Antioch Finance Director Dawn Merchant said the city council will have an additional $2.3 million to spend in this year’s budget, with over $2.5 million additional from sales tax, including over $1.5 million more from Measure W’s 1% sales tax revenues. Plus, there were $6,425,217 less in expenditures than projected for Fiscal Year 2021. But the council did not spend any of it on hiring additional police. (See related article)

Antioch Police Staffing Half of Statewide Average

Currently the Antioch Police Department is at 1.0 officers per 1,000 population, half the 2.0 officers per 1,000 statewide average and much less than the 2.4 officers per 1,000 nationwide average.

Suspect in armed robbery of the 7-11 store at the corner of Sunset Lane and Davison Drive arrested on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Photos: APD

Robbed 7-11 of $25 using rock and knife

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, two purse snatchers and a suspect in an armed robbery of a convenience store were arrested over the weekend.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at 12:05 PM, officers responded to the area of Sycamore Drive and Auto Center Drive, for a report of a robbery. The victim’s purse was stolen. The next day at 2:21 PM Officer recognized the responsible, Donald Armour (age 22) and arrested him. The purse was located and returned to the victim. Unknown what city he is out of.

On Sunday, Feb. 20 at 3:25 AM officers responded to 3701 Sunset Lane (7-11) on a report of an armed robbery.  Dispatch advised a subject entered the store and demanded cash and was threatening the clerk with a rock and a knife.  The clerk handed over approximately $25.00 in cash. Upon officers’ arrival, the suspect, identified as Nathanael Hatfield (age 38) was still on scene. Hatfield was detained without incident. Hatfield was booked into MDF.

On Sunday, Feb. 20 at 12:59 PM a woman was walking in the 2300 block of Sequoia Drive when Masaiyah Sharp (age 18) approached her and forcibly took her purse from her and ran through the trail behind Sequoia Drive. Officers circulated the area and located Sharp. Sharp was transported to MDF.

Unknown what city these people are out of.

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at 7:33 AM officers were dispatched to the area of the Somersville Car Wash located at 3103 Delta Fair Boulevard in Antioch for a report of a shooting. The 55-year-old victim was shot in the right arm while he was in the front passenger side of his vehicle by an unknown assailant.

He was later transported to the hospital and reportedly had non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Herald first learned of the shooting about 8:00 am that morning and upon arrival at 8:30 a.m. the scene had already been cleared.

Publisher’s Note: This information was just received, today, Thursday, Feb. 17, but was first requested the morning of the incident, during the week when APD was ordered by the interim city manager to direct local media to obtain information about police matters in Antioch from the City’s public information officer. He, in turn, was directing us back to APD for information, leaving us in an intentional, unproductive circle – and worse, leaving the public uninformed. That issue was resolved on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Alexis Gabe – Missing fliers have been posted throughout East County. Source: Oakley PD

24-year-old Alexis Gabe’s car was found in Oakley the next day

One of the digital billboards on Highway 4 and I-680 provided by Mesa Outdoor. Source: Del Rey Advertising.

By Allen D. Payton

Today, Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard issued the following brief update on the search for the woman missing since January 26 and last seen by her ex-boyfriend in Antioch that night. (See related article)

“The investigation into the disappearance of Alexis Gabe has remained at the forefront of the Oakley Police Departments daily operations. We have also remained in frequent contact with the Gabe family throughout our investigation and we support them in their efforts as they try to locate Alexis as well.

We understand there is a great deal of public interest in this case. We remain committed to the tenets of completing a thorough investigation and making sure the integrity of our investigation outweighs public curiosity. The Oakley Police Department remains committed to locating Alexis and we are continuing on our path towards a complete investigation.”

Fliers about Gabe have been distributed and posted throughout East County, as well as posts on social media and ads have been placed on digital billboards along Highway 4 and I-680 to help in locating her.

If you have any information, please contact Oakley PD at (925) 625-8060.

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, a female was shot in the hand in the 500 block of F Street in Antioch Tuesday, Feb. 15 about 5:30 PM

It is unknown if multiple subjects fired but multiple shots were fired from a vehicle.

The victim was transported to the hospital for her injuries.

No other information is available at this time.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

The three stolen vehicles recovered by Antioch Police on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Photos by APD

Given different kind of bracelets, stainless steel, not gold or silver!

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2022, three people were arrested in the city for stolen vehicles. What’s even more impressive is the fact two of the stolen vehicles were recovered 15 minutes apart from one another.

At 4:12 PM officers responded to the area of E. 18th Street and Cavallo Road where a stolen vehicle was seen. The vehicle was located and the driver Samantha Melendez (21) out of Antioch, was taken into custody for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

At 4:33 PM, while officers were dealing with the above incident, a second stolen vehicle was seen in the same area. Officers then located and detained John Jones (45) out of Antioch. There doesn’t appear to be any connection between the two incidents.

Then at 8:35 PM officers received reports of another stolen vehicle near W. 10th and B Streets. Officers located the vehicle and took Emiliano Juardo (19), unknown what city, was taken into custody.
All three subjects were transported to county jail at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Also, according to Saffold, so far this month, our officers have recovered 32 stolen vehicles (The 32nd was recovered as this post was being written). Some of these vehicles were originally stolen out of Antioch, but many are often stolen from various cities all over the state.

When it comes to stolen vehicles, California ranks amongst the states with the highest rates in the country. According to the California Highway Patrol, in 2020 there were approximately 180,939 vehicles stolen at an estimated total value of $1.6 billion. With that said, of the 180,939 vehicles stolen statewide in 2020, 89.2 percent were successfully recovered, representing 161,464 recovered vehicles.

In Antioch, we strive to reacquaint owners with their vehicles every opportunity we get and have been able to recover 62 stolen vehicles so far in 2022.

Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)to help prevent motor vehicle thefts: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention. #stolenvehiclerecover #trafficsafety

Another Antioch man is wanted; victims were Pittsburg and San Leandro residents

By Pittsburg Police Department

Early Sunday morning, September 19, 2021, shortly before 6:30 A.M., Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the 7-11 store at 4600 Century Boulevard regarding a shooting. As officers arrived, they located a car parked in front of the business with two women inside. Both women were suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Unfortunately, 23-year-old San Leandro resident Courtnee Allen and 21-year-old Pittsburg resident Angelique Abercrombie died due to their injuries.

Initially, there was limited information for detectives to work with or identify the responsible in this case. Over the past few months, members of the Investigations Division, including the Pittsburg Police Department VICE Team, worked diligently to identify several subjects involved. After completing numerous interviews and working through a vast amount of evidence, detectives identified 28-year-old Lonnie Stewart of Antioch, 22-year-old Destiny Boyd of Sacramento, and 20-year-old Jordan Pierre Crear of Antioch as being involved in the incident. Crear was identified as the subject who shot and killed Courtney and Angelique. Detectives are continuing to determine the motive for the shooting.

Last week detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney for review. The DA charged all three subjects for Murder with enhancements. Boyd was arrested late last week in Elk Grove and is currently in custody on $3,000,000 bail. Wednesday, Crear was located and arrested at his home in Antioch and remains in custody with a $7,000,000 bail. A $3,000,000 warrant is issued for Stewart, and detectives are working to locate him.

The Pittsburg Police Department would like to thank our citizens and business community for their support during this investigation.

Six yellow markers indicating the location of bullet casings are seen in the intersection of Canada Valley Drive and and Pinnacle View Way/Vista Grande Drive Tuesday night, Feb. 8, 2022. Photo by Allen D. Payton

City’s fourth homicide of the year, suspect unknown

By Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at approximately 7:02 PM, Antioch Police Department dispatch received a call from a motorist, a 29-year-old male, who requested medical attention on Canada Valley Road near Pinnacle View Way, due to his 76-year-old female passenger having difficulties breathing.

American Medical Response (AMR), Contra Costa County Fire Department and Antioch Police patrol officers responded to the scene. Antioch officers arrived on the scene alongside AMR and began life-saving measures on the female victim, who appeared to be having a medical emergency.

During rescue efforts, it was discovered the victim sustained at least one gunshot wound to her back. Due to the extent of her injuries, the victim was transported to an area hospital where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Antioch Police Officers search the victims’ vehicle on Pinnacle View Way. Photo by Allen D. Payton

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Unit responded to the scene. Investigators determined the victims were shot at by someone in an unknown vehicle traveling in the immediate area of Canada Valley Road. At least six yellow plastic markers were located where bullet casings were found in the intersection of Canada Valley Road and Pinnacle View Way/Vista Grande Drive.

It is the fourth homicide in the city, this year. This is an ongoing and active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Whitaker at (925) 779-6890 or by emailing wwhitaker@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.