Medical helicopter ConAir1 at the intersection of Slatten Ranch Road and Wicklow Way, near the J.C. Penney store in Antioch, prepares to take an injured dirt bike rider to the hospital Sunday night, May 24, 2020. Photo by ECCFPD.

From East Contra Costa Fire Protection District

Antioch: Sunday, May 24, 2020 7:57pm East Contra Costa Fire Protection District personnel from companies E52 and BC5 were called to provide automatic aid with ConFire E381 with an injured dirt bike rider in a field behind Target on Slatten Ranch Road, Medical helicopter ConAir1 transported the patient to our local trauma center.

By Corporal Brian Rose #4309, Antioch Police Field Services

On Monday morning, May 25, 2020, at approximately 12:58 AM, officers responded to the report of a shooting in the 2900 block Cashew Street. Upon arrival, officers located two males, 16 and 22 years old, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first-aid until relieved by medical personnel. Both victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment and are in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

While at the scene, officers learned of a third shooting victim who arrived at a local hospital. The third victim is 16 years old and his injuries were also considered non-life threatening.

A 26-year-old male was arrested near the scene in connection with the shooting. Additionally, officers located the firearm that was suspected to have been used as well as clothing discarded by the suspect when he fled the scene on foot immediately after the incident.

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.

Limited to 25% of capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees whichever is lower; requires county health officer’s approval

By Allen Payton

In response to pressure from President Trump and U.S. Attorney General Barr, last week, and under pressure from a variety of churches and religious groups suing the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued guidelines, today, Monday, May 25, 2020, for reopening places of worship, providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies.

https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-places-of-worship.pdf

However, the guidelines require approval of the county health officer but will have little or no benefit for most churches, as they limit attendance to just 25% of building capacity or 100 attendees maximum whichever is less.

The guidelines were issued “to support a safe, clean environment for employees, interns and trainees, volunteers, scholars, and all other types of workers (referred to collectively as “staff”) as well as congregants, worshippers, visitors, etc. (referred to collectively as “visitors” or ‘congregants’).

This guidance does not obligate places of worship to resume in-person activity. Further, it is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older adults and those with co-morbidities. Even with adherence to physical distancing, convening in a congregational setting of multiple different households to practice a personal faith carries a relatively higher risk for widespread transmission of the COVID-19 virus, and may result in increased rates of infection, hospitalization, and death, especially among more vulnerable populations. In particular, activities such as singing, and group recitation negate the risk-reduction achieved through six feet of physical distancing.

Places of worship must therefore limit attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower. This limitation will be in effect for the first 21-days of a county public health department’s approval of religious services and cultural ceremonies activities at places of worship within their jurisdictions.

Upon 21-days, the California Department of Public Health, in consultation with county Departments of Public Health, will review and assess the impact of these imposed limits on public health and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.”

Among other things, the guidelines also require places of worship to “Perform thorough cleaning of high traffic areas such as lobbies, halls, chapels, meeting rooms, offices, libraries, and study areas and areas of ingress and egress including stairways, stairwells, handrails, and elevator controls. Frequently disinfect commonly used surfaces including doorknobs, toilets, handwashing facilities, pulpits and podiums, donation boxes or plates, altars, and pews and seating areas.”

Efforts were made to the county health spokesperson asking for comment from County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano on the guidelines and how soon places of worship in Contra Costa can expect to reopen. Please check back later for updates to this report.

Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

On Sunday afternoon, May 24, 2020 one of our officers attempted to make contact with a subject in the area of Buchanan Road and Gentrytown Drive. For unknown reasons, this person decided they didn’t want to talk to us and fled on foot. When our officer caught up to them, they quickly found out that the 60+ prescription pills the person had in their possession may have been the reason they didn’t want to stick around, as well as the fact they were on juvenile probation.

We then paid a house call to conduct a probation search to make sure there wasn’t anything else going on that he shouldn’t be doing. To our surprise, we not only found metal knuckles in his bedroom, but also found a loaded AR-15 rifle. We were fortunate to find this firearm in the fashion in which we did and while it was unfortunate it was in the hands of a juvenile, we are happy to have taken it off the streets before it could be used in any sort of violent crime!

For his troubles, he was eventually given a ride to juvenile hall by our jailer for multiple weapons charges and probation violations.

FIre on hill near Danridge Court (left). Photo by Vanessa Hellman. Fire on B Street (right). Photo by ConFire.

By Allen Payton

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters battled a house fire and grass fire in two parts of Antioch on Saturday.

On the south side of town, about 5:00 p.m., according to Antioch resident Kelli-Jo Kipp, a four-alarm grass fire occurred on a hill on the back side of Danridge Court. It threatened several homes. But, fire crews from four ladder trucks were able to get the blaze under control. No structures were damaged according to witnesses. (See more photos of fire on Facebook).

Two homes on B Street were damaged. Photos by ConFire.

Then, about 7:00 p.m., according to the ConFire Public Information Officer, crews knocked down a two-alarm fire that damaged two homes on B Street. “Three people who were able to exit the structure are being treated for smoke inhalation.” The fire is under investigation.

Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Good morning Antioch and fans of APD!!! We wanted to let you know about another proactive gun arrest:

Friday, May 22, 2020 at about 2 pm, an #APDDayShift officer patrolling Sycamore Drive and Spanos Street spotted a 17-year-old juvenile he knew had two active warrants. The juvenile was placed under arrest and found to have a loaded semi-automatic pistol in his waistband, with 14 rounds in the magazine. Things didn’t end there, because a gold necklace the juvenile was wearing was traced back to a previously reported theft. He was brought to Juvenile Hall for his warrants, along with the firearm and stolen property possession charges.

APD remains committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods through proactive patrols, instead of sitting back and waiting for bad things to happen. This gun will NEVER be used to harm anyone and we hope this young offender will learn that crime doesn’t pay!

#AntiochPD #AntiochStrong #ProactivePolicing

By CHP-Contra Costa

Saturday morning, May 23, 2020, at approximately 2:18 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on Hwy 4 eastbound, west of Hillcrest Avenue. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the driver, an adult male from Antioch, was inside the late nineties Toyota Camry and it was fully engulfed in flames. The car fire was put out by the Fire Department on scene and the driver was extricated and transported to a local hospital with severe burns. While in transport to UC Davis Hospital for his severe burns, unfortunately he was pronounced deceased by the emergency personnel. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased.

This incident is still under investigation and it is unknown as to why the driver crashed into the concrete center divider of Hwy-4 eastbound. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

Police stop “donut” car driver in Antioch Thursday evening, May 21, 2020. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

#TestDriveFail

Yesterday, at about 7 pm, a diligent #APDSwingShift officer was in the area of West 8th and K Streets in response to numerous complaints of vehicles doing burnouts. He spotted the driver of this Infinity doing his best to appeal to a cop’s love of donuts. Problem was, it was the wrong kind of donut, and the officer wasn’t amused, so he stopped the car and found out the driver was just doing a little “test drive.”

What happened to the car? You already know what happened – it was brought to #CarJail for 30 days and the driver received a future appointment with a judge to answer for his reckless driving. We appreciate all of your posts on this topic and will continue to address the problem with your help. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe!

#AntiochPD   #AntiochStrong #CVC23103 #CVC23109