By Oakley Police Department

On March 20, 2023, Officer M. Jackson observed a silver Nissan vehicle, lacking a license plate, at Live Oak Road and Laurel Road. Officer M. Jackson stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver who lied about his name. At the time of this contact (1130PM) it was 52 degrees outside, yet the driver was nervously shaking and sweating profusely. Officer Jackson believed the driver was nervous about being contacted by law enforcement and believed the driver had a reason to be evasive about his identity. The driver was detained, and the vehicle was searched.

Oakley Police Officers Hernandez and Fielding arrived to assist Officer Jackson and collectively they continued to investigate the situation. The investigation revealed the true identity of the driver 25-year-old Jahsaun Brown of Antioch and a fully loaded handgun under the driver’s seat. The handgun is described as a semi-automatic 9mm, but with no manufacturer markings or serial number. A firearm lacking this key information is considered a “ghost gun” because it is not trackable in the DOJ system. The handgun also had a full capacity magazine with twelve rounds loaded into it. Further investigation revealed Brown had a warrant for his arrest charging him with carrying a loaded weapon. Even further investigation revealed Brown was the subject of a criminal protective order, which stated he was not allowed to be in possession of any firearms.

Brown was arrested for: PC25400- Carrying a concealed weapon, PC32310- Possession of large capacity magazine, PC25850- possession of loaded weapon, PC29180- possession of un-serialized firearm “ghost gun”, PC 148.9- Providing false identification to an officer and PC 166- Violation of a court order. Brown was booked for these crimes.

The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for jurors to serve on our 2023-2024 Civil Grand Jury. The application deadline is March 24, 2023. Application for Grand Jury

Contra Costa County’s Grand Jury consists of 19 citizens. A new Grand Jury is impaneled each year. Grand Jurors are officers of the court, and function as an independent body under the guidance of a Superior Court judge.

Every year, in each of California’s 58 counties, a group of ordinary citizens takes an oath to serve as grand jurors. Its function is to investigate the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of local government. Each Civil Grand Jury determines which officers, departments and agencies it will investigate during its term of office.

Apart from the investigations mandated by the California Penal Code, each county’s Grand Jury decides what it will investigate. Investigations may be initiated in response to letters from citizens, newspaper articles and personal knowledge.

For more information about the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury visit Civil Grand Jury: Contra Costa Superior Court (cc-courts.org) and Civil Grand Jury – jury_service (ca.gov).

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce will honor the 2022 Citizens of the Year at the annual Gala Friday night, March 24, 2023 as well as the Businesses, Non-Profit and Youth of the Year. Martha Goralka was named the Citizen of the Year for Most Impact and Mary and Bob Franchetto, were named the Citizens of the Year for Lifetime Achievement.

Rivertown Treasure Chest will be honored as the Small Business of the Year and TreVista Senior Living is the Large Corporate Business of the Year. Mateo Castro, a senior at Antioch High School was named the Youth of the Year and the Delta Learning Center was selected as Non-Profit of the Year.

2022 Veterans of the Year who were honored on Veterans Day last November are Pat Jeremy for Most Impact and Autrey James received the Lifetime Veteran of the Year award. They will also be honored Friday evening.

The Chamber will also install the new president and board of directors and announce the organization’s Ambassador of the Year.

Photos of and details about each of the winners will be published following the event to be held at the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center.

One-direction at a time, late night, early morning except Saturday night

Caltrans is scheduled to install the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing span over State Route 4 (“SR4”) in Brentwood beginning Friday night, March 24 through early Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023. Expect State Route 4 closures between Sand Creek Road and Lone Tree Way.

Weather permitting, Caltrans will be closing the highway one-direction at a time as described below:

March 24th:  Eastbound SR4 closure from midnight Friday until 6:00 a.m. Saturday.

March 25th:  No closure on Saturday night.

March 26th:  Westbound SR4 closure on Sunday from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

March 26th-27th:  Westbound SR4 closure on Sunday from 11:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Monday.

March 27th:  Eastbound SR4 closure on Monday from 11:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Tuesday.

March 28th:  Eastbound or westbound SR4 closure on Tuesday from 11:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, if needed to complete any remaining work.

Detour Route:

Westbound traffic will exit Sand Creek Road and proceed eastbound on Sand Creek Road to Shady Willow Lane, proceed northbound on Shady Willow Lane to Lone Tree Way, and proceed westbound on Lone Tree Way to the westbound SR4 on-ramp.

Eastbound traffic will exit Lone Tree Way, proceed eastbound on Lone Tree Way to Shady Willow Lane, proceed southbound on Shady Willow Lane to Sand Creek Road, and proceed westbound on Sand Creek Road to the eastbound SR4 on-ramp.

Funding for the $13 million project is provided through Measure J taxpayer dollars from the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation, the State Route 4 Bypass Authority, and bridge toll funds. The overcrossing is expected to be completed early this year.

For updates and detailed information, please visit https://brentwood.info/SR4_Closure. To learn more about the project visit Mokelumne Trail Bicycle/Pedestrian Overcrossing.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: APD

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department released its annual Use of Force report for 2022 and it shows that it occurred in less than 1% of all incidents.

Quick Data:

– 79,781 Calls Handled in 2022

– 67 Use of Force Incidents

– Force used in 0.084% of Incidents

The Antioch Police Department has embarked on several initiatives to demonstrate a commitment toward best practice policing principles of transparency and accountability, while serving and protecting our community.

In addition to innovative training that emphasizes de-escalation and use of alternative resources for individuals in crisis, we are currently building an online dashboard, which will provide interested individuals with data on how often our officers use force, the different categories of police force (baton, firearm, taser, pepper spray, etc.), and showing the number of calls we respond to.

We have compiled statistics from 2022, which show our officers handled 79,781 calls for service and used force a total of 67 times. This means our officers used force on less than 1% of incidents (actual number 0.084%).

In the coming weeks, look for an additional breakdown of that data, which will categorize how our officers used force, and comparing that data to previous years. Please continue to follow our social media for more updates once the dashboard is up on our website. As always, thank you for your inquiries and thoughtful suggestions as we work to serve you better.

For more information on our use of force policy (or any other APD policy), please visit: https://www.antiochca.gov/fc/police/apd-policy-manual.pdf

Thomas L. Geiger was selected the new Contra Costa County Counsel. Source: CCC Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has selected Thomas L. Geiger as the next County Counsel. His formal appointment will be approved at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 4.

County Counsel is the legal advisor for the County, including the Board of Supervisors and County officers, departments, boards and commissions, and certain special districts. Mr. Geiger has been an attorney in the County Counsel’s Office since 2001 and has served as Chief Assistant County Counsel since August 2022. He has significant legal experience in the areas of land use, code enforcement, real estate, public works, elections, emergency medical services, and Delta and water issues. Among his many accomplishments, he advised the Board of Supervisors, County Health Officer, and other County departments on legal issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic response.

“It’s a privilege to serve Contra Costa County in this role and to lead such an incredible team in the County Counsel’s Office,” Geiger said. “I am deeply honored to be selected as County Counsel and for the opportunity to help the Board of Supervisors carry out its vision of delivering quality public services that make a difference in the lives of people throughout our County.”

Geiger succeeds Mary Ann Mason, who retired as County Counsel in November 2022. As County Counsel, he will lead a legal team of 55 attorneys and staff who advise the County on civil legal matters and defend the County in litigation filed against it.

“Tom has a long history of public service in Contra Costa and has skillfully guided our County through complicated legal issues involving disaster response, land use and other significant community matters,” said Board Chair John Gioia, who represents District I. “We are grateful for his strong leadership, commitment to equity and transparency, and his ability to implement the Board’s priorities on the public’s behalf.”

Mr. Geiger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Davis, School of Law.

Bail set at $1.6 million; arrested last month for battery, child endangerment

By Ashley Crandell, PIO, Antioch Police Community Engagement Unit

In response to media requests for additional information, the identity and arrest charges of the suspect in the stabbing of a pregnant woman and two children on Saturday, March 18, 2023, are being released in accordance with California Government Code § 6254(f)(1): Bartley Hall, 37-year-old Antioch resident. (See related article)

Charges: Three (3) felony counts of attempted murder – California Penal Code § 664/187(a). Two (2) felony counts of evading a peace officer – California Vehicle Code §§ 2800.2(1), 2800.

Hall remains in-custody on these charges at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail is currently $1.6 million. This case will be presented to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office by Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The identity of the victims will be kept confidential in accordance with California Penal Code § 293.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hall was arrested by Antioch Police on Feb. 12 for 243(E)(1) – Battery On Spouse / Cohabitant / Former Spouse and 273A(A) – Child Endangerment.

This is an active investigation and members of our Investigations Bureau to include Crime Scene Investigators and Violent Crimes Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gerber at (925) 481-8297 or rgerber@antiochca.gov. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Following police chase to Solano County; two victims in critical condition

By Ashley Crandell, PIO, Antioch Police Department Community Engagement Unit

On March 18, 2023, at approximately 3:54 pm, the Antioch Police Department’s Communications Center began receiving calls regarding a disturbance in the 100 block of Wilbur Avenue. Shortly after, they received another call stating people were being stabbed at the location. Antioch Police Officers immediately responded to the scene and noticed a vehicle fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.

One officer pursued the vehicle where it was involved in a collision in Solano County and the suspect, a 37-year-old, Antioch resident, was taken into custody. No one was injured as a result of the collision and the suspect was evaluated at a local hospital for precaution. While that officer pursued the suspect, other officers immediately rendered aid to three victims that were suffering from stab wounds. One victim was a 35-year-old female who was pregnant, a 14-year-old male, and a 11-year-old female. All three victims were transported to local hospitals and two are listed in critical condition. This is an isolated incident and there is no active threat to the public.

This is an active investigation and members of our Investigations Bureau to include Crime Scene Investigators and Violent Crimes Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gerber at (925) 481-8297 or rgerber@antiochca.gov. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH.

The members of the Antioch Police Department would like to thank the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and the Fairfield, CA Police Department for their assistance in the vehicle pursuit and taking the suspect into custody.