Police seek suspect, ask public’s help

By Lt. Desmond Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On 01-07-2024, at 9:45pm, Antioch PD patrol officers in conjunction with Contra Costa County Fire responded to a report of an assault that just occurred on the 1900 block of D Street, Antioch. When officers arrived, they located the victim, a 39-year-old male, who was down and unconscious. Officers rendered aid, and the victim was transported to a local hospital.

After speaking with several witnesses and obtaining video surveillance, it was discovered the victim was struck at least one time knocking him unconscious and causing him to fall to the ground. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the hospital pending a coroner’s investigation.

On 07-30-2024, the Antioch PD Investigations Bureau received the coroner’s report, which indicated the cause of death was ruled a homicide. The Investigations Bureau is investigating all evidence at this time in the hopes of identifying additional witnesses and leads. Based on the information obtained, this appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Detective Becerra at abecerra@antiochca.gov or (925) 779-6937.

Bail set at $250,000; has previous arrest record

By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

On July 30, 2024, around 11:00 a.m., an alert citizen called Walnut Creek Police to report a suspicious person entering their neighbor’s backyard. WCPD officers responded to the 1100 block of Flowerwood Place and found the suspect, Joshua Michael Spain-Cue, (34-year-old from Antioch, born 7/6/90) inside the residence.

WCPD officers took him into custody and linked him to another burglary in the 800 block of Bancroft Road. Spain-Cue was then booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on burglary charges of: PC 460(a)- First Degree Burglary (Residence) and ​​PC 460(b)- Second Degree Burglary (Commercial)

WCPD Detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which filed two counts of burglary against Spain-Cue. His bail is $250,000, and he remains in custody.

However, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the is six-foot, two-inch tall, 175-pound and blonde-haired, blue-eyed Hispanic man is being held on no bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 13th in Superior Court.

According to localcrimenews.com, Spain-Cue was also arrested by Walnut Creek Police on March 22nd for resisting, obstructing, delaying a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also arrested by Martinez Police on July 19, 2021, on warrants or holds only.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (925) 943-5865.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

“This place has been dedicated, everything in and around this house. Everything we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.” – Pastor Kirkland Smith

By Allen D. Payton

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, Grace Bible Fellowship Church of Antioch celebrated the Grand Opening of its new Grace Childcare Center, a project of the church’s Grace Arms non-profit organization.

The Grace Childcare Center is a state-of-the-art preschool situated in Antioch. Our center is committed to delivering exceptional childcare services, fostering interactive learning, and creating unforgettable childhood experiences. We are currently seeking highly motivated teachers who can inspire and contribute to our outstanding team. This presents an excellent opportunity to join a friendly, vibrant, and dynamic work environment.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Pastor Kirkland Smith read Psalm 127:1 saying, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards that stand watch are in vain. For every house is built by somebody but God is the builder.”

“May every person who enters this property know they’re entering on holy ground,” he continued. “This place has been dedicated, everything in and around this house. Everything we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”

“So, it’s a privilege, it’s an honor as we embark upon another new chapter and endeavor for us,” Smith stated. He and Program Director Beate Bell then cut the red ribbon on the outside of the entrance doors.

“We’re ready to open. We’re ready for business,” the pastor added.

Grace Childcare Center’s mission is to provide a safe learning environment for children ages 24 months through five years old.

The focus is to equip each child with a stimulating early childcare experience focused on promoting strong cognitive and emotional development in order to build up community, civic and socially-minded individuals. This will be done through creative and hands on learning, with parental involvement, to build a firm and enduring foundation in the early formative years.

Operating hours are from 7am – 6pm, Monday through Friday. The facility holds 20 children in three fun and creative animal themed rooms, Duckie, Panda and Tiger where the children will engage in a play-based curriculum including yoga, arts and music.

If you would like to enroll your child in the Grace Childcare Center, located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch, please call (925) 522-2017 or email Program Director Beate Bell at bbell@gracearmsofantioch.org. 

To learn more visit www.gracearmsofantioch.org/childcare.

See ribbon cutting video.

Free museums – Free transportation to get there!

Contra Costa County Library is once again offering free Clipper cards for use with Discover & Go reservations from August 1 while supplies last. The offer is good for select Discover & Go attractions. County residents, who are 18 or older, can submit a request for Clipper cards by clicking on the banner ad on their Discover & Go pass starting August 1.

To sign-up for Clipper cards, view your August – December 2024 reservation on your Discover & Go account:

1. Click the “Print/Download” button
2. Click on the “Free transit passes” banner on your Discover & Go pass to request your Clipper cards. The banner will look like this: 

Clipper cards will be mailed to cardholders’ homes approximately five business days prior to their museum visit. The offer is limited to one request per household (for up to two $20 Clipper cards) and is available while supplies last. This promotion is a partnership between 511 Contra Costa and the Library and is intended to encourage the use of public transportation to visit museums.

“There is no better way to enjoy cultural venues, museums and fun attractions around the Bay Area than Discover & Go,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “Thanks to 511 Contra Costa you can use public transportation to get there.”

Since its inception in 2011, Discover & Go has met Contra Costa County Library’s goal of providing access to culture inside and outside the library by partnering with over 100 California cultural destinations, and making over 1,000,000 visits possible for library cardholders.

511 Contra Costa is a comprehensive Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program that promotes transportation alternatives to the single occupant vehicle and encourages “green commutes”.  For more information, visit 511contracosta.org.

The following attractions qualify as destinations for this Clipper card promotion.

Ardenwood Historic Farm                  Pacific Pinball Museum

Asian Art Museum                              Peralta Hacienda Museum

Bay Area Discovery Museum             Richmond Museum of History

Beat Museum                                      Ruth Bancroft Garden

Bedford Gallery                                  San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

California Academy of Sciences        San Francisco Symphony

Cartoon Art Museum                          San Jose Museum of Art

Contemporary Jewish Museum          San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles  

de Young Museum                              Shadelands Ranch

Exploratorium                                     Smuin Modern Ballet (San Francisco)

Freight & Salvage (Berkeley)             UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive

Legion of Honor                                 UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens

Lindsay Wildlife Experience              The Tech Interactive

Oakland Museum of California          Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum

For additional information about this promotion, you can contactthe Contra Costa County Library at ccclib.org/contact-us.   

Before new ordinance banning organizers, advertisers and spectators, goes into effect at end of August

By Antioch Police Department

Reckless Driving Arrest and 30-Day Impound

On Wednesday night, July 31, 2024, Officers Mayorga and Tanguma took decisive action against dangerous sideshow activity in our community. They observed a vehicle doing donuts and driving on the wrong side of the road at East 18th Street and Evergreen Drive, putting everyone at risk. The driver was promptly stopped on Sunset Drive near Hillcrest Avenue, arrested for reckless driving, and the vehicle has been impounded for 30 days.

We are committed to keeping our streets safe and free from illegal activities that endanger lives. Reckless driving is not only illegal but can have serious consequences.

Thank you to Officers Tanguma and Mayorga for their swift response and dedication to public safety! Together, we can make Antioch safer for all!

The new ordinance adopted by the Antioch City Council last month which also bans organizers, advertisers and spectators, will go into effect at the end of August giving police another tool to prevent them in Antioch. (See related articles here and here)

#AntiochPD #TrafficSafety #CommunityFirst #SaferStreets

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By CHP Contra Costa

Last week, the CHP Contra Costa Area welcomed five new officers. These Officers recently completed their @chp_academy training, and reported to the CHP Contra Costa Area Office to begin an exciting and rewarding career.

Last week they started their three-month Field Training where they will put to practice the skills learned during their time at the Academy.

The CHP is actively hiring. Visit @chpcareers for information on the application and hiring process.

Police seek suspect

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Lt. Matt Koch, “Officers responded at 1:28 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to the 3800 block of Rockford Drive on a report of a male trying to steal a vehicle in front of a homeowner’s residence who came out to confront the suspect. There was some sort of altercation between the homeowner and the suspect, and the suspect shot the homeowner. He received non-life-threatening injuries.”

The case is still under investigation and the suspect has not yet been apprehended,” Koch added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Antioch Police non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police arrested a suspected double car thief Wednesday afternoon while the man first on foot, then during a slow chase near Lake Alhambra.

According to Lt. Matt Koch, “Officers were following up with an occupied stolen vehicle in the 400 block of Grangnelli Avenue. Officers went to make contact with the 36-year-old driver, he bailed, fled on foot and ran over to North Lake Drive where he got into another pickup truck.

“As officers were contacting him in the truck he tried to flee from officers, again. Ultimately a marked police car tried to disable the pickup truck and the driver took the officers on a slow-speed chase,” Koch continued. “The suspect was ultimately apprehended on Plymouth Lane, taken into custody and later booked into county jail.”

See video on the Antioch Herald Facebook page.