By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at about 7:13 pm, Antioch Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to the canal between Lemontree and Manzanita Ways for a 43-year-old man down on the ground. The male had no pulse and was not breathing. Officers attempted life saving measures, but the victim was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

The APD investigations bureau responded and took over this investigation. It was determined the victim and 30-year-old male suspect, both from Antioch, were involved in an argument and during the altercation the suspect struck the victim in the head and rendered him unconscious. The suspect left the area and did not seek medical attention for the victim. The victim was discovered about 20 minutes after the assault and the police and medical were called, but the victim had already died. The suspect was arrested for murder and booked into the County Jail in Martinez with bail set at $1,000,000.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Detective Cox at (925) 779-6866 or by emailing jcox@antiochca.gov or Detective Brogdon at (925) 779-6895 or by emailing cbrogdon@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Suspect arrested, illegal guns drugs. Photos by APD.

Illegal drugs also confiscated from two suspects

By Antioch Police Department

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 at about 1:00 pm, the POP (Problem Oriented Policing) Team was patrolling the 2200-block of San Jose Drive, when they spotted a vehicle parked in an awkward position, making it difficult for other cars to maneuver around. When officers investigated further, they saw the driver appeared to be asleep at the wheel with the car still in drive. One slip off the brake could have ended badly for all those around, so officers placed their patrol cruiser in-front-of the vehicle to prevent a tragedy. Officers tapped on the window and woke the driver, who was quite surprised to see a couple of officers at his window. They noticed he had “BAPE” satchel across his chest and asked for permission to search, which revealed a loaded firearm inside. Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle is not allowed in our state, so he was placed under arrest accordingly.

About four hours later, POP officers were patrolling West 10th and K Streets when they spotted someone they knew had an outstanding felony warrant inside of a convenience store buying a lottery ticket. Realizing his luck was about to run out, said individual got a sudden case of the munchies, and started purchasing various snacks. Officers met him inside to discuss the warrant (and proper snacking) but saw he had something unusual sticking out of his waistband – a loaded firearm. His criminal history prohibited possession of firearms, so he was placed under arrest on weapon and drug possession charges, along with the outstanding warrant.

Photos by APD.

And finally, Thursday at around 11:00 am, POP Team officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for several violations near East 18th and Hillcrest. The driver failed to stop and began driving recklessly, so officers decided to stop their chase, but continued to check the area. It was then officers found the vehicle had collided with three parked vehicles on Merrill Street, but the driver was nowhere to be found. Antioch Strong community members stepped up and told officers not only which way he went, but what he was wearing. A swarm of blue uniforms converged on the area and found our man hiding in a backyard. A loaded 9 mm pistol was also discovered along his flight path, so was sent to the County Jail for evading an officer and weapon charges.

How can you contact POP Team for help with crime near your home or business? I have two ways for you – you can email them at popteam@antiochca.gov or send an anonymous text tip to 274637 and use the keyword ANTIOCH.

Fans of APD – what do you think about the POP Team’s efforts to reduce crime and keep Antioch safe? #antiochpdca #apdpopteam #antiochstrong

Suspect’s car stopped by Antioch Police at gas station and illegal guns confiscated following home burglary Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Photos: APD

Antioch Police, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies and CHP Air Unit thwart burglars

By Antioch Police Department

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 at about 9:07 am, APD officers were dispatched to a residence near Mt. Isabel and Rogers Canyon Roads to investigate a burglar alarm. When the first officer arrived, he saw two individuals exiting the residence that appeared quite shocked at his presence. Both ran from the scene and a containment perimeter was quickly established by additional responding officers.

A yard-to-yard search was conducted with the assistance of a canine from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and air support from CHP – Golden Gate Division.

Police set a perimeter in the neighborhood where the burglary occurred, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Photos: APD

During the search, a car was seen exiting our perimeter with both suspects inside. The CHP Air Unit kept eyes on the vehicle and directed officers to where it was headed. Officers stopped the vehicle at a gas station near Lone Tree Way and Golf Course Road, where both suspects were taken into custody.

Officers recovered two firearms that were discarded by the suspects during their flight, including an AR pistol and a .40 caliber handgun. A 20-year-old male from Oakland was sent to the County Jail for residential burglary, parole violation, and gun charges. A 16-year-old male was sent to Juvenile Hall for residential burglary and gun charges.

APD would like to thank area residents who assisted us, and for their patience while we searched for the suspects. We would also like to thank the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and CHP Golden Gate Air Operations for their assistance! APD is committed to keeping your neighborhoods safe and appreciate the partnership we have with our community.

#antiochpdca

Fight began over a woman friends say

Steven Wade. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, November 5, 2020, at about 4:06 pm, 40-year-old Curtis Gaines and 32-year-old Steven Wade were involved in a physical fight in front of 9 W. 20th Street in Antioch. After the fight was over, Wade went to his car and retrieved a pistol. Wade fired one round at Gaines, hitting him in the lower torso. Gaines was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased. (See related article)

The Antioch Investigations Unit, Special Operations Unit, and Problem Oriented Policing Unit tracked Wade to a residence on Poplar Drive in Concord, where he was taken into custody without incident.

According to people who knew both men, they were ex-brothers-in-law and the fight began over an issue with a woman.

On Monday, November 9, 2020, this case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and Wade was charged with murder, along with an enhancement for use of a firearm. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Wade is currently being held at the Contra Costa County Jail with bail set at two million dollars. #antiochpdca

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch Police Motorcycle Officers of traffic enforcement. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Antioch, we hear you! You want more traffic enforcement; here is an update!

You may recall we received a grant for our motor unit from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Funding from this grant has already led to an increase in motor officer training and operations. (See related article)

On November 2nd, using funding from this grant, our motor unit conducted a Traffic Enforcement Operation. We targeted well-known areas for speeders, thanks to the many tips we get from YOU!

The operation resulted in:

29 citations issued, including…

3 suspended license citations

2 unlicensed driver citations

2 distracted driving citations (put down the cell phones!!)

Keep those traffic tips coming, we are working hard for you!

For more information on the Go Safely campaign from the California Office of Traffic Safety, visit: https://gosafelyca.org

Suspect’s car, gun found under his seat on Thursday, ,Nov. 5, 2020. Photos by APD.

Queue the song “I Can’t Drive 55” or 35

By Antioch Police Department

There’s no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop…

Thursday, at around 10:20 am, Officer Erickson was doing speed enforcement on East 18th Street near Biglow Drive. He clocked a Mercedes going 67 MPH in a 35 MPH zone and decided to flip on the red and blues to have a conversation with the driver about why he was driving like he was on a freeway. He soon learned the driver was on parole, which is a type of offender supervision where one receives early release from jail or prison but, agrees to be searched by law enforcement for any reason. Individuals on parole can have their person, vehicle, residence and anything under their control searched without a warrant.

Officer Erickson searched the vehicle and located an unregistered pistol under the driver’s seat, which the driver was not allowed to have because of his prior convictions (and his parole status). Said driver was fitted with a set of chrome bracelets and brought to the County Jail, so he could tell others why they should obey the speed limit in Antioch (and not drive around with unlawfully possessed firearms!).

Our violent crime rate is down 39% since 2012 and -10% since last year. One way we accomplish this is by conducting proactive enforcement, along with probation and parole compliance checks. If you have information on a crime occurring in our city, you can call our Dispatch at (925) 778-2441 or send an anonymous text-tip to 274637 with the keyword ANTIOCH. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe! #antiochpdca

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On Thursday, November 5, 2020, at about 4:06 pm, Antioch Police patrol officers were notified of a shooting that occurred in front of 9 W. 20th Street. A 40-year-old male was located suffering from a single gunshot wound to his torso. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased.

The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau responded and took over the investigation of this case. It was determined the victim and a 32-year-old male suspect were involved in a physical fight. After the fight was over, the suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim one time. The suspect was located at a residence on Poplar Drive in Concord and he was taken into custody for this homicide. This was an isolated incident and the suspect and victim were known to each other.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Bledsoe at (925) 779-6884 or by emailing lbledsoe@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

By Brentwood Police Department

It was the call that every officer dreads to hear…

On September 20, 2020, at around 2:54 AM, Brentwood officers responded to a residence in the 50 block of Havenwood Ave. to investigate a report of an unresponsive 2 year-old child, later identified as Jasani Kerry. His mother, 22-year-old Genesis Barrera-Galdamez, had found him unresponsive and telephoned emergency personnel.

When officers and emergency personnel arrived on scene, they performed CPR for several minutes, however, Jasani was ultimately declared deceased. The preliminary investigation revealed drug paraphernalia and illicit drugs that later tested positive for fentanyl in the presence of Jasani preceding his death. Weeks later, a Contra Costa County Coroner’s pathologist determined Jasani’s cause of death was due to acute fentanyl intoxication.

Following an extensive follow-up investigation, Brentwood investigators prepared an arrest warrant for Genesis charging her with murder.

On October 30, 2020 at around 3:30 PM, investigators located Genesis at the Comfort Inn Hotel located at 2436 Mahogany Way in Antioch and took her into custody without incident. Genesis was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the outstanding arrest warrant.

Yesterday the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office formally charged Genesis with second-degree murder, possession of narcotics for sale, and child abuse resulting in death. Genesis is being held on $1.1 million dollar bail.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends who have been affected by this tragedy. The loss of any child is difficult for anyone to bear; we hope the arrest in this case can bring some peace to those affected.

Rest in peace Jasani.

Arraignment Scheduled For November 18

Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Scott Alonso issued the following about the case Thursday morning:

Earlier this week, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges against Genesis Barrera-Galdamez (22-year-old resident of Brentwood) for the death of her two-year-old son, Jasani Kerry, Jr. Barrera-Galdamez was also charged with felony child abuse and felony possession of Fentanyl to sell. Two enhancements were also filed tied to the child abuse charge against the defendant: willful harm causing injury and great bodily injury resulting in brain damage and paralysis. The young child consumed fentanyl under the care of Barrera-Galdamez. The child’s autopsy report later ruled the toddler’s death was caused by Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.

Brentwood Police Department investigated the case and presented it to our Office for filing. Homicide Unit Supervisor Derek Butts reviewed the investigation and filed the charges listed above.

“While the Defendant did not intend that her son Jasani die, the evidence shows that she was aware her Fentanyl possession and use was dangerous to human life and despite this knowledge, exposed Jasani to the danger which ultimately led to his death, stated Deputy District Attorney Butts. “Well known amongst abusers, Fentanyl is an exceptionally toxic and dangerous substance.  The act of exposing people to or supplying others with Fentanyl, if death results, can lead to murder charges.”

In the early morning hours of September 20, the defendant called police and stated her son was not breathing and non-responsive. She told the police that her son appeared blue and his body was very cold. CPR performed at the scene by Brentwood Police Officers and continued by American Medical Response personnel for over 30 minutes did not revive the boy. Officers at the scene located multiple items of drug paraphernalia on and around the bed the Defendant shared with Jasani, including 13 grams of powdered Fentanyl, baggies and tin foil pieces containing Fentanyl residue and a torch lighter.

After Jasani’s death, Barrera-Galdamez attempted to sell Fentanyl to multiple parties. Brentwood Police Department officers obtained a warrant for the arrest of the defendant on October 29th. The following day, Barrera-Galdamez was arrested at the Comfort Inn in Antioch, where she was engaging in Fentanyl sales.

Barrera-Galdamez made her first appearance in court yesterday and she remains in custody with bail set at $1,100,000. Her arraignment on the charges was set for November 18th.

Case information: People v. Genesis Barrera-Galdamez, Docket Number 04-200626-0.