Driver and two passengers ran on foot from the scene leaving behind their car, two victims and their vehicles

By Allen Payton

A hit-and-run collision occurred Monday afternoon about 1:45 p.m. at the westbound Hillcrest Avenue offramp from Highway 4, near the BART station, in which one car striking another car, silver Honda and a PG&E utility truck. The driver and two passengers in the white sedan, were seen running on foot from the scene on the westbound sidewalk on Slatten Ranch Road toward Hillcrest Avenue.

According to CHP – Contra Costa Public Information Officer, Brandon Correia, “this just got classified as a three vehicle, no injury, hit-and-run collision. The at-fault party vehicle’s occupants, (reported as three black male adults) fled the scene and were not located.”

The three males were also described by witnesses as in their late teens or early twenties. One had appeared to have a gold grill on his upper teeth and was wearing a black hoodie. Another, running with him, was wearing either red shoes or was wearing something red, according to one witness.

One victim, the driver of the silver Honda said he saw a white car that rear ended him as he was stopped at the light at the end of the westbound off ramp at Slatten Ranch Road next to the Antioch BART Station. He said he was in the far-left lane and the PG&E truck was in the right, left turn lane. The suspect’s car struck the back, passenger side of the Honda and the back, driver’s side of the PG&E truck, taking out both tires and wheels.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

Earlier this week graveyard officers responded to a call at a shopping center on Contra Loma Blvd. for a report of an alarm. The alarm company told APD dispatchers that they could see a man climbing onto the roof of the complex from their security cameras. Officers responded to the area and started hearing noises from the roof.

One of the responding officers was one of APD’s drone operators and he quickly launched his drone to check the rooftop. (See video)

While checking the rooftop, the drone located a man hiding behind a large AC unit. The man then started walking along the roof and throwing items he found on the roof at the drone. Then the man found an opening in the roof and climbed inside. Officers on the ground were able to communicate with the man while he hid in the roof access opening.

The officers were able to de-escalate the situation and convince the man to come out and climb down from the roof. Once the man was safely taken into custody, officers were able to access the roof with the help of Contra Costa County Fire Department.

While on the roof, officers found that the man had disconnected the alarm, but no entry was made into any of the businesses.

After winning at the Oakland Diocese Chapter level, two Antioch youths and three others from East County advanced to the State Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship where they had great success.  Here are the results:

Eric Mendoza of Antioch is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Boys competition;

Lilyana Ponce of Antioch took 2nd Place at State in the 12-Year-Old Girls category;

Ryan Wisely of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION for 9-Year-Old Boys;

Kylie Wisely also of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION in the 13-Year-Old Girls competition; and

Brigida Coria of Brentwood is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Girls category

Mendoza and Ponce had won in the first round in the Antioch competition. (See related article)

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.   All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.   Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

By Detective John Cox #5705, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Antioch Police Investigators are asking the public for help regarding the August 29, 2020 drive-by shooting murder of Daunzhay Young. During the investigation of this case, surveillance video showing a vehicle of interest was obtained. The vehicle appeared to be a silver Ford Windstar minivan. The minivan had distinct damage to the rear bumper and driver’s side brake light. Additionally, the minivan had a “stick-figure” family sticker on the rear window. The Antioch Police Department is seeking information regarding the murder of Daunzhay Young as well as information about the vehicle of interest. (See related article)

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Cox at (925) 779-6866 (jcox@antiochca.gov), Detective Robert Gerber at (925) 779-6943 (rgerber@antiochca.gov). You may also send an anonymous text tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Original News Release:

On 8/29/20, at approximately 10:07 AM, Antioch police officers were called to the 1800 block of Tioga Pass Way on the report of several gunshots heard in the area.

Numerous officers responded to the scene and located one male victim down on the sidewalk. The victim was found to be suffering from several gunshot wounds.

Officers immediately began providing first-aid and CPR until emergency paramedics arrived at the scene to take over. The victim succumbed to his injuries and passed at the scene.

After the shooting, the suspect fled the area and has not been located. The victim in this case appears to have been targeted by the suspect(s).

Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Currently, detectives are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected and evaluated.

“I think we’re solid all the way around,” – Antioch Head Coach John Lucido

“We see ourselves as underdogs,” – Deer Valley Head Coach Robert Hubbard

By Jesus Cano

With their first games tonight, Liberty at Antioch and Deer Valley at Heritage take a look at the two teams, key players and their prospects for the shortened, 5-game season. (See full schedule, below)

Antioch High Panthers

After going 1-5 to begin the 2019 season, the Panthers needed to do something different on offense. That’s when the coaching staff decided to incorporate the Wing-T offense. It quickly changed Antioch’s offensive production. The Panthers went from averaging 79 rushing yards per game, to finishing the season with three straight games of 300 plus yards.

Head coach John Lucido said that the team has really liked that style of play and it has been an easy offense to keep around given the limited time the team’s had back on the field.

It’s easy to install, and to get you you only have three weeks to really put stuff in,” Lucido said. “We already had it in the blocking. So, we just kind of built off of that. We don’t want to confuse the kids and try to make things as simple as possible.”

Antioch is a young team. Out of the roster of 41 players, only eight are seniors. Running backs Jaysn Wade and Dwight Turner graduated but Lucido highlighted Dervon “Wu” Fryerson and Jorge Hernandez deal with most of the carries.

And while Antioch has a run-oriented offense, Lucido said quarterback Rocco Borelli will still have the opportunity to throw the ball plenty of times to receiver Charles Lindsey, Jr. Borrelli managed to throw for 976 yards in the 2019 season.

“We have different formations where we could run and throw out of it,” Lucido said. “So, you’ll see and throw the ball quite a bit. Try to have a lot of one-on-one matchups and kind of take what the defense gives us so we’re not one dimensional.”

But Antioch’s offensive line does not carry as much experience as opposed to other areas on the team, but Lucido emphasized how much this unit – featuring Daniel Johnson, Siaka Tonga,Sione Fetulimoeata and Ben Ulufaleilupe – has improved a lot over the past weeks.

Antioch will have a lot of two-way starters on the line, but defensive end Jailen Weaver will play a big role on defense and has the ability to move anywhere. The senior committed to Nebraska earlier this year.

Versatility is one of Antioch’s strengths according to Lucido. Even Borrelli – the quarterback – will also play linebacker but, will be rotating with starter Cameron Wright – who saw a lot of playing time last season.

Fryerson, Hernandez and Lindsey will also play defensive back for the Panthers.

“I think we’re solid all the way around,” Lucido said. “I think it’s a good team. I think they play together. They want to play together, if that’s our strength. It’s we’ve had talent in the past, and maybe they weren’t to get so close as a team. But these guys even with this pandemic going on are so close together as a team.”

Deer Valley Wolverines

As Deer Valley takes the field for practice, there is always one phrase senior captain Bryson Parker echoes to his team.

“Ain’t nobody ever gave me nothing,” he said.

The team always roars back with the same energy Parker brings out.

“And that’s kind of our motto, we see ourselves as underdogs,” Deer Valley head coach Robert Hubbard said. “We see ourselves as a team that has locked that grind and that’s gonna have to fight for anything we get. Literally take any yard, any when we got to go out and take it’s not gonna be given to us.”

Last season, in the fall of 2019 the Wolverines struggled with roster numbers. Sometimes, the team had just the minimum amount of players to suit the field, resulting in a 0-10 season.

Suiting up players on game day should not be an issue for Deer Valley at the varsity level this year. Hubbard – the 2019 BVAL fall coach of the year – said the Wolverines have between 35 to

40 players on the varsity roster this season, but there is no JV or freshman team this year for Deer Valley. Instead, players from all levels will be on the varsity roster.

“We’re going to suit up everybody,” Hubbard said. “But legitimately varsity players will probably only have about 22-24 guys this year.”

Reggie Hill will be the quarterback for the Wolverines this year. He should be seen as a dual-threat option considering he was one of DV’s key running backs from last season. He’ll have Parker and Richard Felder to connect with.

With Hill throwing the rock, Hubbard said he has talented players that will be playing the running back positions by committee. Sophomore Cameron Clanton is a player that Hubbard is really excited about that can also play defense. Ahmad Woodard and Kamel Jones are also going to contribute at running back according to Hubbard.

Hubbard also said the Wolverines’ offensive line is one of the most exciting parts of their roster, with Keion Vinson anchoring the way and Josiah Barnett playing a big role.

Defensively, many of these players will be playing on both sides of the ball according to Hubbard, Parker is a player that can excel at any of his positions. He is expected to have a big bounce back season after suffering injuries last season.

“He’s the one that leads the show for us,” Hubbard said. “If he’s out there now he’s going to be explosive he’s going to be exciting to watch on both sides of the ball.”

Annual Mayor’s Cup Game

Deer Valley will host Antioch on Friday, April 2 in the crosstown Mayor’s Cup game.

Entitled “Law Enforcement Protocol Event; Importance: High”

No evidence of communication with council members or public from city management or APD

“Since then, the council has been informed. It’s a work in progress…” – Councilman Mike Barbanica

By Allen Payton

In response to a public records request, on Monday, March 15, 2021 Antioch city staff released a copy of the email message from Antioch Police Captain Trevor Schnitzius to Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore and copied to Chief T Brooks, regarding the incident with Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23 during which he lost consciousness and was subsequently transported to the hospital. Quinto later died at the hospital on Dec. 26. Schnitzius was acting police chief as both Brooks and City Manager Ron Bernal were on vacation at the time of both. (See related articles here and here)

The email was sent at 7:07 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2020. The subject line reads: “Law Enforcement Protocol Event” and “Importance: High”. Email fr Schnitzius to Bayon Moore re Quinto 122420

The email reads, “Officers responded to a family disturbance service call where the caller reported the subject was hurting another family member. Upon arrival, officers determined the 30 year old male resident was experiencing a mental episode. The resident was restrained in handcuffs for everyone’s safety due to his non-cooperative behavior and was to be sent for a mental health evaluation pursuant to W/I 5150. An ambulance was summoned to the residence and while awaiting the ambulance’s arrival, the subject lost consciousness.”

The email continued explaining what occurred the night before: “CPR was initiated and the subject was transported to an area hospital via ambulance. As of this writing the subject is in critical condition and it is unknown if/how long he will survive according to medical staff. We should have an update later today after the neurologist evaluates the resident.

County Protocol was invoked and inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation into the incident with assistance from the Antioch Police Department. The investigation is still in the preliminary stages and additional facts and information are still being gleaned.

As of 0630 hours there have not been any inquiries by the media and a no press release has been disseminated. I will be available by phone should you need to follow up with me personally as I am currently the Acting Chief, while Chief Brooks is on leave.”

Bayon Moore Refuses to Respond

Further questions were sent to Bayon Moore and all council members on Monday, March 15, if she had informed them of either the Dec. 23rd incident or Quinto’s death on Dec. 26th. They were asked: “Were any of you aware of that (email from Schnitzius)? Did she contact any of you, at that time? Were you contacted by any member of city staff about Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26th? Anything else you would like to share about it?”

In addition, Bayon Moore was asked, “did you in turn inform the mayor and/or any of the council members at that time of the communication from Captain Schnitzius? If so, please provide a copy of that email. If no, why not? Did you expect or ask Captain Schnitzius if he had or was going to do so?”

Finally, additional questions were sent to her asking “were you informed by Ron (Bernal) or had the understanding that it’s your responsibility to inform the council members of such an event, or it was the police department’s? Were you informed of Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26th and did you in turn inform any of the council members?”

Mayor, Two Council Members Respond

As previously reported, Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who was also on vacation at the time of both the police incident and Quinto’s death, said he was unaware of the email message from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore. Thorpe also previously stated that he learned about the incident on social media and spoke to Chief Brooks on Dec. 31st asking if there had been an in-custody death.

“I have never received a text from the city manager about the police department. If I had I would have found that unusual as that has never happened. I know I have communications from Captain Moorefield when he was acting chief,” Thorpe shared when reached for comment on the question if the council members were informed by Bayon Moore. “The question to ask is did Captain Schnitzius inform the council.”

District 2 Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica responded to the same question saying, “I was not advised of the incident. I learned of it on social media three weeks to a month later. I reached out to Chief Brooks about it. I was advised that there was a notification to the assistant city manager and at some time point the mayor, but I don’t know when.”

“I made it clear that any event of this nature in the city, I felt, the council should be made aware of it,” he continued. “Since then, the council has been informed.”

Barbanica spoke of his experience as a Pittsburg Police officer, in which the department informed the council members of major events that occurred in that city.

“I was not used to not being notified about things occurring…of any major event that occurs in the City of Antioch,” he stated. “I’m not looking for any investigative details, just the information of what happened.”

“It’s a work in progress getting this in place,” Barbanica added.

When asked on Wed., March 17 if she had found the email message she referred to previously, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock responded, “I cannot find it. I was still looking for it, yesterday with no luck.”

03/20/21 UPDATE: Chief Brooks Responds to Additional Questions

Additional questions were sent to Chief Brooks asking if Schnitzius had contacted any of the council members about either the Dec. 23rd incident with Angelo Quinto or his death on Dec. 26th? He responded, “No he did not.  His only communication was with the assistant city manager.”

Asked if the captain was informed that was part of his responsibility as acting chief on major matters, such as an incident requiring the invoking of the county protocol, Brooks responded, “no, I failed to give him that direction prior to leaving on vacation.”

Regarding Thorpe’s comments, Brooks also added, “the mayor and other councilmember are correct.  Past practice has been they received notification from the police chief directly.  Obviously, the inadvertent lapse of immediate council notification in this case has justifiably moved council to seek/create a formal notification process to prevent this oversight from happening again.”

Another Public Records Request

As a result of the lack of response from Bayon Moore and the other two council members, and no record of any communication from her to Ogorochock that could be found, another public records request was submitted on March 16 for any and all communication between Bayon Moore and council members about both the Dec. 23rd incident with Quinto and his death on Dec. 26th. City staff has 10 days to respond.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Few changes but paves the way for potential increases in service

BART will make some minor adjustments to its schedule effective March 22, 2021. While service hours will remain unchanged for now, BART staff will closely monitor ridership and demand as the region begins to reopen.

The new schedule starting on March 22nd is now available on our Trip Planner and on the BART (Official) App. PDF’s of the current and new schedule timetables can also be found here.

Preparing to add more service as riders return

Weekday riders will have the same frequency they experience now but the new schedule allows us to add 26 additional trips to enhance 15-minute commute periods when and where ridership data reflects more riders are returning. BART’s 15 Step Plan to Welcome Riders Back calls for matching service levels with demand. BART will add these new trips when train car loading data shows there are consistently more than 30 people per car on a train. Current ridership has not yet surpassed a post COVID high of 55K weekday riders.

Saturday service will match Sunday service

Starting Saturday, March 27, Saturday and Sunday will have identical schedules.  Saturday service will run as three route service (Yellow, Orange, and Blue), which means some riders may have to transfer to finish their trip like they do on Sundays.

Station Agents added to Antioch Station

For the first time since its grand opening in May 2018, the Antioch Station will be staffed with Station Agents. The extension was initially developed as a new concept to provide customer service through supervisors in the nearby control center and call buttons at the station. As part of the General Manager’s Listening Tour in 2019, BART General Manager Bob Powers rode the first trains of the morning with Antioch customers. Part of the feedback he received was that riders felt they were on their own at the station and they wanted to see more BART staff onsite. Adding Station Agents will help make a more seamless riding experience and will better integrate the BART to Antioch extension into the core part of the system, highlighting Station Agent interaction as being an integral part of the BART experience.

Improved service for Millbrae riders

BART trains will arrive and depart at Millbrae Station from Platform 3, the one closest to Caltrain at the station. This significant improvement will allow riders at Millbrae to cross the same platform to transfer instead of the previous walk up and through the concourse. BART and Caltrain transfer times and wayfinding at the station will also receive improvements.

One seat ride to SFO for weekday Richmond riders

Trains from Richmond will now have a one-seat ride to SFO (via Millbrae) instead of requiring a transfer at MacArthur on weekday. This change means SFO is effectively the terminal station for both the Yellow and Red Lines on weekdays.

Sunday single tracking days

On Sunday single tracking days, the Dublin/Pleasanton (Blue) line will now terminate at Montgomery, riders will need to transfer to a Yellow line train to finish their trip. Previously the Blue line extended to 24th Street/Mission on single tracking days. On Sundays when there is no single tracking to upgrade the electrical power system in Downtown San Francisco, the Blue line will terminate at Daly City.

Also wanted for multiple auto burglaries and robbery in San Francisco

By San Francisco Police Department 

Luck ran out on St. Patrick’s Day for three Antioch teens who were arrested in Antioch by San Francisco Police officers Wednesday for robbery and assault of a 67-year-old man in February.

On February 23, 2021, at approximately 9:50 PM San Francisco Police officers responded to a reported robbery that occurred on the 1200 block of Mason Street.

Officers arrived on scene and met with the victim who told them that he was inside a laundromat when he was approached by three unknown male suspects who threw him to the ground, assaulted him, stole his property, and fled the scene. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries from the attack.

The SFPD Robbery Detail took over the investigation. Investigators developed information that led to the identity of the suspects who were identified as 19-year-old Calvin Berschell, 19-year-old Jason Orozco, and 19-year-old Nolowde Beshears, all of Antioch.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 17, 2021, SFPD investigators and members of the Tactical Unit served simultaneous search and arrest warrants at homes in the 4900 block of Willowhaven Street and the 500 block of West 17th Street in Antioch. All three suspects were taken into custody without incident. Evidence related to the robbery and auto burglaries including clothing, a window punch, and two firearms was seized.

The investigation and subsequent arrests were the culmination of a collaborative effort between the SFPD Robbery Detail, General Crimes Unit, Crime Lab, and the Antioch Police Department.

In addition to the robbery of the elderly male on February 23rd, the suspects were wanted in connection with multiple auto burglaries in the area of John and Powell Streets shortly before the robbery on Mason Street.

Berschell, Orozco, and Behears were all transported to the San Francisco County Jail and booked on charges of burglary (459 PC), robbery, (211 PC), elder abuse (368(b) PC), fraudulent use of a credit card (484g PC), false imprisonment (236 PC), assault likely to produce great bodily harm (245(a)(4) PC) and conspiracy (182 PC).

While arrests have been made, this incident is an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD 24 Hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.