By Newsroom Newswire

Now that it’s tax season, and tax forms are arriving in the mail, many people are beginning to find a nasty surprise in their mailbox: an IRS form 1099-G reporting unemployment benefit income that they did not actually apply for or receive.

If you receive a form 1099-G but did not file for unemployment, someone may have stolen your identity to commit unemployment fraud.

Attorney David Fleck, who has extensive experience in fraud cases, said this is one of the easiest frauds to perpetrate, which is why it has suddenly become common during the pandemic. As unemployment numbers swelled, unemployment departments across the country became overwhelmed with applications and made thorough background checks of applicants fall by the wayside.

“I’ve seen so many different scams in my career, and frankly there is nothing new under the sun,” he said. “Because these are unusual times, con artists are just using this moment as a way to take advantage of the system.”

Learning that your identity has been used to perpetrate a fraud can be a stressful experience, Fleck said, but there are steps you can protect yourself and mitigate the damage:

1. Report the fraud to the California employment development department, https://www.edd.ca.gov/. California EDD has a form on their website to use for reporting identity theft and unemployment fraud. You can also call the EDD Fraud Hotline at 1-800-229-6297.
2. File your taxes as normal, and do NOT report the fraudulent income. If you’ve reported the fraud to EDD, that’s all you need to do. You don’t need to also report it to the IRS.
3. If you suspect you may be a victim of a broader identify theft, you may want to check the website of The Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit in San Diego. Visit idtheftcenter.orgor call 888-400-5530.

“Fraudsters never let a crisis go to waste,” Fleck said. “But hopefully, now that state officials know this fraud is going on in such large numbers, innocent victims won’t be on the hook.”

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

Residents in the Hansen Park area of Antioch (in the Black Diamond Hills) may have seen a lot of police activity Sunday afternoon. Officers were sent to a call of an individual armed with a knife experiencing mental distress. Upon the arrival of the first officers, the individual ran up the hill (with the knife) toward the park where children were playing. The entire APD dayshift responded (thankfully the next shift was already starting) to secure the park and form a containment perimeter.

Officer Kathain deployed his drone and located the individual still in possession of the knife on the hillside. Over the next hour, Officers Ewart, Milner and Amiri, along with Sergeant Rose, began a dialogue with him, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. We are glad to say the situation was safely resolved and he is now on his way to the hospital for emergency psychiatric intervention.

APD officers train regularly for these situations, including crisis intervention and resolution techniques. We have said this before, but we are so appreciative to our community for giving us the tools and resources necessary to help those who need it the most. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Remember, we are always here for you.

Special thanks to personnel from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for their assistance with this incident.  #antiochpdca   #servicetoourcommunity

Police searching for brown 1990’s Chevrolet pickup

By Corporal James Colley #4705, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On February 6, 2021, at approximately 6:31 pm, APD Officers responded to the 2400 block of E. 18th Street on a report of a juvenile that was hit by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers learned the 15-year-old male was riding a non-registered dirt bike eastbound on E. 18th Street when he was struck by a pickup truck. Per witnesses on scene, the pickup truck was described as a brown, 1990s Chevrolet. The unknown driver of the truck did not stop and fled the scene, continuing eastbound on E. 18th Street.

No suspects have been identified at this time. The juvenile was transported to a local Bay Area hospital, with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

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.

Hit and run driver’s car. Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

See something? Say something!

Yesterday, around 9:30 am, APD Dispatch received 9-1-1 calls reporting a vehicle collision at Lone Tree and Muirwood Ways. While officers were responding to the scene, a witness reported one of the involved vehicles (a gray Buick), ran the red light and was fleeing the scene. The witness gave a description and license plate of the vehicle, but that’s not all – he watched (from a safe distance) as the barely drivable Buick continued down Lone Tree Way for over two miles with the airbags deployed. Thanks to his actions, officers were able to quickly locate the vehicle and detain the driver, who it turns out had a suspended license and no insurance. He will have a future court date to explain his actions to a judge, and his now totaled vehicle was impounded.

Victim’s car. Photo: APD

What can you do if you see something that needs our attention? Remember, never put yourself in danger (that’s what we get paid for!). Try to obtain a description of the vehicle + license plate and get on the phone with 9-1-1 (if an emergency) or by calling (925) 778-2441 if it’s a non-emergency.

Thankfully, none of the involved parties to this collision were seriously injured (but we imagine they’ll be a little sore today). When the witness was asked why he took action, he said “What if this happened to my family?” Can we get a special thanks to our Good Samaritan neighbor from Brentwood that saw something – and said something? Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe!  #antiochpdca  #neighborshelpingneighbors

Police Officers observe, Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair participates; not shown on Comcast Channel 24 due to “connectivity issues”; online feed ends before breakout session reports completed; will be on City website “ASAP”

By Allen Payton

The second of three Bridging the Gap dialogues, sponsored by the Antioch City Council, on the issue of Racial Disparities in Policing ended early with a communications gap. Held Saturday morning, Feb. 6, the session was introduced by consultant Hildy Saizow, Senior Advisor, CNA Center for Justice Research and Innovation, who said, “As your city confronts the critical issues of racial injustice and police community relations… (the forum) provides a wide, cross-section of people who live and work in Antioch to share their perspective on the issues. Ultimately these Bridging the Gap discussions will result in actions” by the city council and police department.

Antioch Police Officers would be participating as observers only, she said.

CNA’s “expert on policing” Stephen Hickman introduced the issue for the days discussion by defining racial disparities in policing as, “the percentage of a racial group in a general population compared to a specific racial group in police actions. Nationally, Blacks make up 13% of the population but 25% percent of arrests. That’s a racial disparity. Where they exist, they may require examination.”

“Since the hiring of Chief Brooks, the high number of disparities has been addressed,” he shared.

“Acknowledging disparities is the first step in moving forward,” Hickman concluded.

The 75 randomly selected participants then broke into five, small-group sessions for about an hour. At least one of the members of the Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Chair Sandra White, participated in the second session.

Breakout Session Reports

After returning from the breakout sessions, a member of CNA’s team from each of the sessions reported a summary of what their groups discussed.

Ben Carleton said his group “wanted Antioch Police to be out in the community, more” and “start treating people as human beings, with respect. This goes both ways. Individuals need to treat each other respectfully.”

“Everyone had something to say,” said another CNA team member about his group. “Everybody felt strongly in this regard…there has to be a two-way conversation…between police and citizens. Coupled with that in some sense…the police department has been held back, stifled a bit. There was a sense that they had not learned enough about what the police department had done. Community policing is important…there’s a desire to get back to those practices. There needed to be outreach to those communities and individuals who might be more affected.”

“On the three types of bias, there was a strong sentiment that this police bias is very important and a desire for a better explanation of why,” he continued. “There might be training but they need to know more.”

“There was discussion that the police department look more demographically like the population,” he concluded.

At 11:20 a.m., as another presenter began sharing the comments from her group the City’s online video feed cut out. Mayor Lamar Thorpe told the Herald, “I’ll make sure it (the video) gets on the website, ASAP.”

The session wasn’t shown on Comcast Channel 24, either. When informed of that Thorpe replied, “We had connectivity issues.”

CNA will provide a report following the third and final Bridging the Gap forum to be held on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10:00-11:30 am. on the topic Police-Community Engagement. To participate in that forum, register here.

Please check back later for more details from the remainder of the second session or watch it on the City’s website once it’s been saved, here. Watch the first Bridging the Gap Dialogue on Police Oversight, Accountability and Transparency, here. (See related article).

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

Yesterday, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at about 12:10 pm, APD Dispatch got a call reporting a shoplifter at a store on Somersville Road. The shoplifter pulled out a knife on an employee that tried to stop him near the store exit. The employee provided an EXCELLENT description of his getaway vehicle, which was relayed to officers immediately over the radio. Officer Milner was in the area and saw a matching vehicle traveling northbound on Somersville. APD dayshift officers raced to the scene and were able to stop the vehicle at Auto Center and Sycamore Drives. The driver was safely detained, the employee was brought to the scene, and a positive identification was made. A large knife was recovered from his vehicle which the employee also identified as the same one used against her. Officers obtained video surveillance and there was no doubt they had their man.

A misdemeanor shoplifting incident was escalated to a felony robbery because a knife was used to threaten a store employee. He was fitted with a pair of chrome bracelets and given an express ride to the County Jail (so he could tell others that crime doesn’t pay in Antioch).

What can you do if you witness a crime such as this? First – and foremost – NEVER put yourself in danger. Call 9-1-1 if it’s safe to do so and be prepared to give a description of the suspect and vehicle (if applicable). Try to remember a distinctive article of clothing or something that stands out about their appearance. If you can remember all or part of the license plate, we can do a lot to find vehicles through computer searches and investigation. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe and kudos to the observant retail employee, who had the presence of mind to do all these things, and help us catch the bad guy!

#antiochpdca #crimedoesntpay

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

With issues arising in the Sycamore area, our Problem-Oriented Policing Unit took a directed approach to solve some of the ongoing problems. Today’s results ended with several arrests for marijuana sales, two vehicles towed, and an arrest for possession of an unregistered firearm.

The POP team would love to hear from you in ways they can help with crime in your area. You can email them at popteam@antiochca.gov or send an anonymous text tip to 274637 and use the keyword ANTIOCH.

450 arrests, 39 rescues by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and tax forces

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County

Contra Costa victim service providers and law enforcement agencies participated in the 7th Annual statewide “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild” enforcement event organized by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce. This operation focuses on rescuing victims of sex trafficking, identifying and arresting their abusers, and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims. This is the third straight year that Contra Costa has participated in the operation, since organizing its own Human Trafficking Taskforce. (See press conference video.)

“Our collective goal to end human trafficking and exploitation locally and statewide is evidenced in our unified regional and state-wide approach to combat these heinous crimes. The trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims will not be tolerated in Contra Costa or California,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

Participating agencies made five arrests and rescued three victims in enforcement action occurring in East and Central Contra Costa County. Statewide, a total of 450 arrests and 39 rescues were made by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and taskforces.

Contra Costa law service and service provider agencies included:

• Contra Costa Human Trafficking Taskforce
• Pittsburg Police Department
• Brentwood Police Department
• Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
• Walnut Creek Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• San Pablo Police Department
• California Highway Patrol
• Contra Costa County Probation Department
• Community Violence Solutions
• Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Contra Costa’s Human Trafficking Taskforce brings together local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecution partners who enhance collaboration with victim service partners in order to investigate and prosecute all forms of trafficking our community in a trauma-informed manner while connecting survivors to culturally-competent services and support.

To report suspected trafficking, call the Human Trafficking Tip Line and leave a message: 925-957-8658

To get help, call Community Violence Solutions 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-800-670-7273