Jewelry recovered and thief arrested on Friday, May 22, 2020. Photos by APD

By Antioch Police Department

Friday morning, May 22, 2020, at about 6:05 am, we received a call of a silent alarm at J.C. Penney in Slatten Ranch Shopping Center. While officers were responding, our Dispatch Center received reports of several more activations, with the alarm company advising the surveillance cameras were being taken offline from inside the building.

The first arriving officer located an open door, and upon checking it, a suspect quickly pulled it shut from inside. A containment perimeter was established on the building, and a search team was formed to include Canine Officer Smith and his partner Kona. After an hours long search, a suspect was found hiding behind a small wall above the ceiling tiles. He was arrested and found to be in possession of several articles of jewelry from inside the store.

Antioch Police surround the building, investigate inside with K-9 Kona.

Further investigation revealed at least two additional suspects entered, smashed the jewelry cases, and attempted to steal approximately $50,000 worth of jewelry. APD officers were able to find all of the stolen jewelry concealed in duffel bag inside the store. The two additional suspects were able to escape, but officers are continuing to investigate, and have good leads on their identities.

We would like to thank our friends at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, who assisted us with thermal imaging cameras while we performed our exhaustive search of the interior. We would also like to thank our residents for equipping us with several pieces of technology we were able to use to search the building, including our UAV (“drones”) and pole cameras. This technology makes our jobs easier and much safer.

#AntiochPD #ConFire #AntiochPDK9 #CanineKona #AntiochStrong

The White House

May 22, 2020

Our Nation mourns for every life lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and we share in the suffering of all those who endured pain and illness from the outbreak.  Through our grief, America stands steadfast and united against the invisible enemy.  May God be with the victims of this pandemic and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends.  As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 24, 2020.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Stolen car suspect seated in handcuffs on the side of Auto Center Drive Thursday, May 21, 2020. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Our friends at CHP – Contra Costa called over and said they had a Mercedes with switched plates (belonging to a Honda) pulled over on southbound Auto Center Drive near Highway 4 Thursday night, May 21, 2020. A check of the dashboard vehicle identification number (VIN) revealed the Mercedes was stolen from San Bruno, so APD Night Shift showed up like a sea of blue to help-out.

The driver is on his way to the county jail, and one more car is being returned to the rightful owner. Our partnership to keep East County safe is multiplied when we work together with our friends at the CHP. Nice bust fellas – call us anytime!

#AntiochPD   #CHPContraCosta   #EastCountyStrong   #CVC10851

From CCHealth Coronavirus Dashboard.

By Allen Payton

As of this morning, Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is reporting a total of 1,259 cases of COVID-19/coronavirus, and a total of 36 deaths in the county. A total of 1,056 have recovered, which is 83.9%, consistent with the previously reported number of those who have tested positive for the virus and recovered.

There were 25 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, but only 9 people diagnosed with the virus currently hospitalized.

A total of 27,874 people have been tested for the virus in the county.

To see the all the statistics provided by CCHS, click here.

By Sergeant James Stenger, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

Suspect Marc Siegel. Photo by APD.

On May 18, 2020, at approximately 8:30 AM, Antioch police officers were called to a residence in the 1900 block of Iron Peak Court for a male subject who had been shot. It was determined there was an argument between roommates. (See related article)

During the argument one of the roommates, 43-year-old Marc Siegel, shot the other roommate, a 43-year-old male, who was declared deceased at the scene.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, this case was presented the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Marc Alexander Siegel was charged with one count of murder -Penal Code 187(a) – along with a firearm enhancement –Penal Code 12022.53(d)-. Siegel is being held at the County Jail in Martinez with bail set at $2,000,000.

Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Smith at (925) 779-6876. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Antioch Police Department

Did you see this video? We did, and we weren’t amused! (And we have a pretty good sense of humor!)

Last Saturday evening, this driver of this red Cadi thought the busy intersection of Lone Tree Way and Empire Avenue would be a good place to spin donuts for all to see. We launched an investigation and found the car on Monday morning. The Cadi was brought to car jail for 30 days while the owner reconsiders this behavior.

What can you do if you see reckless driving? Your safety is first – never put yourself in danger and give us a call at (925) 778-2441, or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency. The dispatcher will ask you for a license plate and vehicle description, but don’t worry if you can’t get it. Video evidence helps us track these people down, but again, we don’t want you to compromise your safety doing so.

Car used in donut spinning Saturday evening found by police, impounded and towed away for 30 days on Monday May 18, 2020. Photo by APD.

Here’s the law folks:

California Vehicle Code § 23109.2

(a) (1) Whenever a peace officer determines that a person was engaged in any of the activities set forth in paragraph (2), the peace officer may immediately arrest and take into custody that person and may cause the removal and seizure of the motor vehicle used in that offense in accordance with Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650). A motor vehicle so seized may be impounded for not more than 30 days.

(2) (A) A motor vehicle speed contest, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 23109.

(B) Reckless driving on a highway, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 23103.

(C) Reckless driving in an offstreet parking facility, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23103.

(D) Exhibition of speed on a highway, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 23109.

#AntiochPD   #AntiochStrong   #ZeroTolerance

City recognizes economic pressures faced by Antioch businesses as a result of COVID-19

By Rolando Bonilla, Public Information Officer, City of Antioch

The City of Antioch will be seeking to establish a COVID-19 Economic Support Package specifically targeting small businesses within the City.

As the City begins moving towards re-opening, it recognizes the financial hardship that COVID-19 has created for Antioch’s business community.

“The City must do everything we can to help our small businesses recover as fast as possible, said Mayor Sean Wright. “We must ensure that Antioch continues to be a place for opportunity.”

As part of the City’s financial recovery strategy, city staff is exploring the following options:

• Business license relief
• Grants
• Shared marketing
• Expediting the business application process

The incentives and funding sources that could be included for the COVID-19 Economic Support Package will be discussed at a future meeting of the city council.

The Clerk-Recorder is now offering marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies online for County residents. Clerk-Recorder staff perform the civil ceremonies using Zoom or FaceTime.

“June is traditionally a month of many weddings,” Deborah Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder said. “We are pleased to offer our constituents a creative new method to be married during this crisis.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued an Executive Order permitting the issuance of marriage licenses and the conduct of remote civil wedding ceremonies via teleconferencing technologies.

At least one of the parties to the marriage must be a Contra Costa County resident. The couple must appear together on the video and be physically present within the State of California. Invited guests may join in to view the ceremony. No additional software is required for the license or the ceremony, but the couple must complete the forms in advance of the ceremony. A computer, tablet, or cell phone with a microphone/camera and an internet connection is required.

Marriage service appointments are currently available Tuesday through Thursday, during the month of June. If couples would like more information or to schedule an appointment, email marriages@cr.cccounty.us or call (925) 335-7900.