Guns, ammunition, phones and other items seized from the suspects during their arrest on Friday, June 4, 2021. Photo: Oakland PD

Two juveniles, one adult

By Allen Payton

Three individuals were arrested in Antioch on Friday, June 4, 2021, for armed robbery and multiple carjackings in the East Bay and an attempted homicide in Dublin.

In tweets on their Twitter feed on Friday, the Oakland Police Department wrote, “OPD arrested 3 individuals responsible for armed robbery & multiple carjackings in Oakland & throughout the East Bay. With the assistance of @DublinCAPolice & @AntiochPolice. OPD officers recovered 5 firearms. The individuals are also connected to an attempted homicide in Dublin.”

The OPD also wrote, “Two of the individuals are connected to the attempted homicide in Dublin.”

In a further post on the department’s Facebook page, they wrote, “OPD arrested two juveniles and one adult.”

According to a KPIX5 CBS Bay Area report, “The Oakland, Dublin and Antioch Police Departments worked together to serve a warrant at a home in Antioch on Thursday. Dublin police said the investigation into the attempted murder and armed robbery was continuing to identify the third suspect in this incident.”

James Sossaman, 44, Antioch resident, arrested May 31 for Unlawfully Causing a Fire (PC § 452(c)) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm (PC § 29800) and aerial view of May 31 Hargrove St., Antioch fire reveals area of grassfire origin and damaged apartment buildings. Photos: Con Fire

Investigators determine vegetation fire that destroyed eight apartments, displaced 40 residents caused by fireworks.

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Con Fire

Fireworks seized in conjunction with May 31 Antioch grassfire that led to destruction of eight apartments and displacement of 40 residents. Photo: Con Fire

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today, June 1, 2021, announced its fire investigators made a fireworks-related arrest yesterday in relation to a fireworks-caused fire behind apartments in the 1700-block of Hargrove Street in Antioch that destroyed eight units and displaced 40 residents.

James Sossaman, 44, an Antioch resident, was arrested for Unlawfully Causing a Fire to Inhabited Structures (PC § 452(b)) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm (PC § 29800) and transported by Antioch Police to Martinez Detention Facility for booking.

Con Fire responded to multiple reports of a vegetation fire behind apartments in the 1700 block of Hargrove in Antioch, May 31 just after 5:30 p.m. While responding, Engine 81 reported a large column of black smoke from a half mile away. Upon arrival, the grass fire had already extended from the grass into a two-story apartment complex and a second-alarm response was ordered. An aggressive fire attack followed in an attempt to slow the spread of fire.

Through witness interviews and surveillance videos, investigators located the person responsible for the grass fire and determined it was caused by Sossaman throwing an M-100 pyrotechnic device into the field behind the apartment complex. Through the investigation, Sossaman was also found to be on felony probation. During a search of his apartment, a loaded firearm was located along with several other illegal fireworks.

Weather conditions at the time — temperatures in the upper 90s with wind gusts between 15-20 mph – quickly fed the fire into the neighboring apartments. Crews, including East Contra Costa Fire’s Battalion 5, were able to stop grassfire spread across the gully and protect the apartments on the west side of the incident.

Additional companies worked to extinguish the structure fires and search 10 separate apartments that were either on fire or in immediate danger of catching fire. Strong winds blew the fire across a breezeway to adjoining apartments. A coordinated fire attack resulted in the fire being extinguished at approximately 6:26 p.m. Crews were on scene for approximately three hours to overhaul and salvage as much as possible.

The fire displaced 40 residents and the American Red Cross assisted with housing for those displaced.

No firefighters were injured. Two civilians were transported to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit urges residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.

Antioch Police stop a car at the Valero Station on Somersville Road during their traffic enforcement Friday night, May 28, 2021. Photos: APD

Friday night crack down in response to last weekend’s sideshows

By Antioch Police Department

Last night, Friday, May 28, 2021, in response to last weekend’s sideshow activity, the Antioch Police Department and several of our neighboring agencies dedicated extra officers to a proactive traffic enforcement detail in order to deter any potential sideshow activity.

During this enforcement effort:

• over 50 vehicle stops were conducted,
• over a dozen citations were issued,
• 5 cars were towed,
• 2 guns were recovered and,
• 1 arrest was made.

One of the five cars towed and one of the two guns seized Friday night. Photos: APD

We believe this coordinated effort provided a visible deterrent that helped to prevent any sideshows from occurring during the evening. We plan to continue these proactive enforcement efforts throughout the weekend and encourage everyone to drive safely over the holiday weekend.

Michael Dwyane Fritz in DMV photo 2020 (left) and arrest photo from earlier in 2021 (right).

Was hiding inside house; U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force had him surrounded

By Sergeant James Stenger / Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The Antioch Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Unit has been continuously working on the case of the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl in Antioch, following up on leads, interviewing witnesses, and processing evidence, since the evening of May 12th. The unimaginable violence of this crime, that took away such a young member of the community, pressed into service all the resources the department could bring into play. As the investigation quickly led to the identification of the suspect, Oakland resident Michael Dwyane Fritz, detectives reached out to the Oakland Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance.

On May 25th, Antioch’s Investigations Bureau, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, developed information that led to the peaceful arrest of Fritz. It was learned Fritz was hiding at a house in Oakland, on the 2300 block of 85th Avenue, which is a dense residential neighborhood near several schools. At about 3:00 pm, Deputy U.S. Marshals surrounded the residence and contacted the occupants. Fritz exited the house peacefully and surrendered to the Deputies. Afterwards, Fritz was turned over to Antioch detectives from the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units assisting at the scene.

The Antioch PD values the partnerships we have developed with these allied agencies, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oakland PD, for their support and assistance in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. The Antioch PD would also like to thank the communities for their assistance with this case. The case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later this week.

There are no outstanding suspects in this case and the Antioch Police Department believes this was an isolated incident.

Statement from U.S. Marshals Service

United States Marshal, Don O’Keefe, of the Northern District of California would like all Bay Area residents to know that the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force will continue to work diligently to ensure that violent fugitives in the Bay Area are brought to justice.

The U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who combine resources and work daily to apprehend violent fugitives from justice, such as Michael Fritz, through networking with task forces across the country.

Victim’s car hit head on (left), responsible vehicle (right), and the other victim’s car in distance (right of fire truck) which sustained less damage, at the scene of the collision in the southbound lanes of Somersville Road in Antioch on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Photos by Allen Payton

She was 68-years-old, driver is 73; drivers of other cars released from hospital with minor injuries

By Sergeant Rick Martin #3343, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Scene of collision on Somersville Road south of Highway 4.

On Tuesday, May 25,2021, at 12:17 pm, Antioch Police Officers were assisting a stranded motorist when they noticed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed, northbound on Somersville Road from Buchanan Road. The vehicle proceeded through the intersection of Delta Fair Boulevard, crossed over the center median and collided head on into a vehicle travelling south on Somersville Road. The force of the collision caused the responsible vehicle to collide into a second vehicle travelling south.

The driver, a 73-year-old male from Antioch, was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. His passenger, a 68-year-old female from Antioch was pronounced deceased at the scene. A third passenger, 56-year-old female from Antioch, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The drivers of the two victim vehicles, both from Antioch, a 22-year-old female hit head on, and a 40-year-old male, were transported to local hospitals and later released with minor injuries. The Antioch Police Department Traffic Division took over the investigation. Drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this investigation.

Victim’s car that was hit head on.

The accident had traffic backed up on the eastbound offramp and on the freeway. Both the northbound and the southbound lanes of Somersville Road between Delta Fair Blvd. and the Highway 4 overpass were blocked off during the investigation. A woman on the scene said she lives near Lowe’s and heard the crash from her home.

Names of the drivers are being withheld at this time until proper notifications are made to the next of kin.

No further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non- emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Aerial photo of sideshow at West 10th Street and Auto Center Drive Saturday night, May 22, 2021. Photo provided by APD

Participants and spectators “subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Several license plates were obtained…as…vehicles fled the scene…will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and…towed for 30 days.”

“We cannot tolerate this in our community. This is unsafe and is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.” – Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica

By Antioch Police Department

Tire marks in ARCO gas station lot at W. 10th St. and Auto Center Drive, May 22, 2021. Photo by APD

Posted May 23, 2021 – As many of you have seen by now through social media or other news media outlets, there was a large-scale side show in East Contra Costa County that touched the cities of Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, and Brentwood for several hours last night (May 22). While we were able to head off several of the participants before anything could get started, eventually the crowd was able to overtake the intersection of Auto Center Drive and W. 10th Street with several hundred vehicles and spectators. Mutual aid was requested due to the large numbers involved, and eventually officers from the Pittsburg Police, Brentwood Police and Sheriff’s Office responded and we were able to disperse the crowd. Over the course of the next several hours, other smaller side shows popped up in Antioch and surrounding cities until the early morning hours.

These events have become more prevalent in recent months in our city and present many problems aside from the noise and traffic violations. They not only put the participants at risk of death or injury, but also the public should they get caught amid one of these intersections that have been taken over. These events also create traffic issues for police and medical responses to true emergency calls as well, and the Antioch Police Department has taken a zero-tolerance response to such activity.

During last night’s events alone, 20 citations were issued, and 21 vehicles were towed and stored for 30 days for those in attendance who were able to be stopped. So, everyone is aware, participating in these events, including being a spectator or helping block intersections so these events may continue is subject to up to 90 days in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Additionally, whether you are actively participating or spectating, your vehicle will be towed and stored at your expense for 30 days. These costs will run into the thousands of dollars and may also lead to a driver’s license suspension.

Another aerial photo of sideshow at W. 10th Street and Auto Center Drive in Antioch on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Photo provided by APD.

For those of you that believe you got out of town last night before being stopped by the police, be aware that this may be true for some, but not all of you. Several license plates were obtained last night as dozens of vehicles fled the scene. These vehicles will be followed up on, warrants will be written, and those vehicles will also be towed for 30 days.

To summarize the events from last night, these events will not be tolerated in the City of Antioch, and all participants and spectators will be met with all enforcement action allowed under the California Vehicle Code. Thank you to all the agencies that responded to our mutual aid request and helped us in our efforts to keep Antioch safe. It is greatly appreciated.

Sideshow tire marks in intersection of W. 10th St. and Auto Center Dr. Sunday, May 23, 2021. Photos by Mike Barbanica

Councilman Comments, Posts Photos of Damage

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica was the only Antioch council member to post anything about the sideshows, one of which occurred in District one, on his official Facebook page. On Sunday, he wrote, “I went out today and visited some of the locations from the recent side shows. I very BIG thank you to the APD Sgt. and crew that took a zero tolerance stance on this, having more than 20 cars towed on 30 day impounds, more than 20 citations and warrants coming for more cars also to be impounded for 30 days. We cannot tolerate this in our community. This is unsafe and is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed. GREAT JOB APD! Also thank you to the allied agencies that came into our community to help.”

Tire marks in ARCO station lot Sunday, May 23, 2021. Photos by Mike Barbanica

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Suspect’s meat cleaver and pellet gun. Photos by APD

By Antioch Police Department

Suspect’s drug paraphernalia. Photo by APD

Saturday afternoon, May 22, 2021, Antioch Police officers were sent to a call of a male swinging a knife around in the area of a heavily trafficked convenience store. Based on several prior calls of a similar nature, it was believed officers had dealt with this man before and knew he had struggled with both mental health and drug use.

When officers arrived, they saw the man and confirmed it was the subject they believed it was. As depicted in the attached photos, the man was in possession of a large meat cleaver. As officers approached him, he was non-compliant and briefly ducked behind a car and discarded an item that was later found to be a realistic looking pellet gun. He remained non-compliant and it was still unknown if he may be armed with any other weapons. The man was ultimately taken into custody safely with the use of a “less lethal” projectile and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment. Once medically cleared, he was taken to the county jail on a variety of charges to include probation violations and resisting arrest.

Officers are confronted with split-second decisions like these on an almost daily basis. They routinely are able to put their de-escalation training to use, and resort to less lethal alternatives such as in this instance. We are happy the man was taken into custody safely, and that no one was seriously hurt.

Suspect detained by citizen; admits to it saying he likes fire

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Con Fire fire investigators made an arson arrest on Sunday, May 23, 2021 in relation to fires set along the walking trail in the vicinity of Buckeye Way in Antioch.

Robert Steed, 21, an Antioch resident, was arrested, charged with Arson to Forest Land (PC § 451(c)) and transported to Martinez Detention Facility for booking. (See arrest details and photo)

A Con Fire Investigator responded to a reported vegetation fire in the area of Buckeye Way in Antioch where Engine 88 had found two separate fires along the walking path, approximately 200 yards apart. After investigating the fire, investigator and crews cleared the scene.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the investigator and Engine 88 again responded to the same area for reports of another vegetation fire. On arrival, a witness was found to have detained a subject for setting the fire.

The subject identified himself as Robert Steed. Steed admitted to setting the fire, saying he likes fire and that he had it under control and was going to put it out.

Steed was subsequently arrested.