Three of the four suspects arrested for the health club burglary in Brentwood Wednesday morning. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police

Are you ready for another example of East County Strong?

Wednesday morning, April 22, 2020 at about 6:15 am, Antioch Police Officer Amiri and his handsome four-legged partner Purcy were getting ready to call it a night, when they heard a call on the Brentwood frequency reporting a burglary at the 24 Hour Fitness – Brentwood. An observant citizen saw a carload of bandits prying open a back door and stealing tools. They called 9-1-1 right-away and gave a description of the vehicle, which was seen getting onto the freeway.

Officer Amiri, who cannot sleep knowing there’s crime afoot, setup on the freeway and found the vehicle as it exited toward downtown Antioch. A stop was made, and all the stolen loot was found. We called over to our friends at the City of Brentwood – Police Department, who gladly accepted the four arrestees (with their new bracelets), and took things over from there.

Health club burglary tools recovered, suspects’ vehicle, Brentwood and Antioch Police Officers with K9 Officer Purcy. Photos by APD.

Thinking of coming to our cities to commit crimes? Think again! We have a dedicated group of officers (and canines) who will sniff you out! Again folks, this was accomplished because someone saw something wrong and called us right-away. We can’t do this without you – consider it a partnership, but we always get to drive (and pick the radio station).

#EastCountyStrong   #AntiochPD   #BrentwoodPD   #CaninePurcy   #StayAtHome

DUI driver’s damaged car in the Sycamore area of Antioch, Tuesday night, April 21, 2020. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Drinking and Driving is NOT an Essential Activity.

Tuesday evening, April 21, 2020 at about 10:45 pm, an Antioch Police officer patrolling the Sycamore area spotted a vehicle driving erratically just prior to crashing into a fence. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested. Luckily, she suffered only minor injuries, and nobody else was hurt. Her vehicle was totaled and a fence was badly damaged.

Every day, nearly 30 people die in the USA from DUI crashes. That’s one person every 50 minutes, or approximately 10,000 people per year. In 2013, approximately 23,000 people were injured on California roadways from a DUI driver. This is completely preventable and there’s no excuse, especially during a time like this.

Please don’t drink and drive! If the loss of your license and paying approximately $10,000 in fines and fees isn’t enough, think about the lives you’ll save, including your own.

If you spot an impaired driver on the road, please keep a safe distance, and call 9-1-1 to report.

#SaferAtHome   #DontDrinkAndDrive #AntiochPD

No late fees for 120 days

By Daniel Borsuk

Residential and commercial renters will get some rental and eviction relief during the COVID-19 pandemic after the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance containing a 180-day grace period, two months more than what supervisors initially had in mind, during a special meeting on Tuesday. (See entire ordinance, here).

By liberally extending the grace period an extra two months, supervisors are handing over to thousands of renters in the county more financial and housing relief during this stressful period when COVID-19 has decimated their financial livelihood. In March, the county’s unemployment rate was 4 percent and April’s unemployment rate will very likely rise sharply when it is release later on.

Instead of inserting a 120-day grace period that other counties like Santa Clara County have inserted in its COVID-19 rent control and eviction moratoria ordinance, Contra Costa County supervisors at the request of District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond convinced other supervisors that a longer grace period is needed given the uncertainty of the duration of the medical and economic repercussions from the current local and state-mandated stay-at-home orders.

Gioia said he favored the more expansive 180-day grace period because the ordinance, as it was proposed to supervisors, does not protect all tenants whether they are delinquent or current in their rent.

“You have to be up to date on rent in order to be protected by the ordinance presented by counsel,” said Gioia. “It’s very unfortunate that the governor’s order requires this. Tenants must be current on rent to qualify for the grace period.”

Supervisors listened to 45 emailed comments from county residents, most of whom were in support of at least a 120-day grace period, little knowing that Gioia would propose a more expansive 180-day grace period.

“We’re dealing with uncertain times,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood. “We’re dealing with people who have not paid rent. People who have lost jobs because businesses have shut down.”

District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill preferred to retain the ordinance’s 120-day grace period clause saying it was sufficient for renters, but eventually agreed to the 180-day grace period for rent and eviction moratoria purposes until May 25 when supervisors plan to revisit the issue.

Other features of the ordinance taken mainly from the Santa Clara County ordinance include countywide, no-fault evictions, definition of owner, attorney fees, and no late fees.

Public Health Ad Hoc Committee Created

While COVID-19 health measures will remain in place for the foreseeable future, Board Chair Andersen proposed the creation of an ad hoc Public Health Committee that will weekly with county health department officials.

The committee that will consist of Burgis and Board Chair and District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville. The committee’s key role is to be advisory to supervisors and Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Farnitano who will retain ultimate authority on health issues.

“This is not meant to replace the health officer’s directive,” said Supervisor Mitchoff. “There’s been some concern about communication. People are getting frustrated.”

New Antioch Police Officer Bill Whitaker is given his oath of office by Chief Tammany Brooks. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Even with all of the crazy things going on in our country, we are continuing to bring top-notch police officers to our agency to serve and protect our fine community! Please let us introduce Officer Bill Whitaker:

Bill was born in Tennessee and raised in San Jose. He graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School where he played baseball. Bill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from San Jose State University and began his career in Law Enforcement.

Bill comes to Antioch with 18 years of Law Enforcement experience and has held specialty positions as a Crime Scene Investigator, Field Training Officer, Canine Handler, member of the Gang Unit, EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations) Instructor, and Background Investigator. Bill also recently earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Bill is married to his beautiful and amazing wife Julie, and they have two kids, Alexa and Brady.

Fun Fact: Bill retired his K9 partner “Kodiak” who was trained as a patrol canine and was one of the only sworn dual purpose accelerant detection Canines in Northern California.

We weren’t able to our normal public swearing-in for Bill and his family (we are still practicing our social distancing), so if you see Bill out in the community, please give him and extra hearty wave (from six-feet away, of course)! Welcome to Antioch, Bill!

According to Police Chief Tammany Brooks, that brings the total sworn officers on the Antioch force to 113. “And we have another graduating the academy next Friday. So, on May 4 we’ll be at 114,” he added.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Unified School District

We have good news to share!!

Any AUSD student who signed up for an Advanced Placement (AP) exam this school year will have their exam costs paid in full by Antioch USD. This decision was the result of our awareness that due to COVID-19 many students may have stressors – including, but not limited to, not having the same level of access or support for exam preparation due to the virus and school closures. We want our students to take the exams as we feel the experience of the exam itself is a college-readiness activity.

However, we understand that many may be hesitant to move forward with their exams and seek refunds due to feeling they may not be prepared. By picking up all costs, students can now confidently take the exams, knowing that if they do not achieve their desired scores, their families have not come out of pocket for their efforts, thus eliminating unnecessary pressure or worries.

Please note that the refund process for families who have already paid is under way. We ask for your patience as it may take a bit longer than usual to process the anticipated $50,000 in refunds due to the current closure and limited staffing. However, please know that your refund is on the way and we wish you the very best on your exam.

We are rooting for you and you’ve got this!! #WeAreAUSD

Suspect Adam Ortega with machete on Brentwood residents’ porch, Sat. morning April 11, 2020. Sheriff Livingston’s badge. Herald file photos.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

35-year-old Adam Ortega, a transient in Brentwood, was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility at about 10 AM on Friday, April 17, 2020. He was booked for the offenses requested by the Brentwood police, possession of a dangerous weapon and probation violation. (See related articles, here, here and here)

Because of the Judicial Council of California’s mandatory emergency rule of zero bail for misdemeanors and non-violent/non-serious felonies, both of the alleged offenses committed by Ortega were zero bail. He was later cite released. (See related article)

“I like most California Sheriffs believe the Judicial Council’s decision to implement $0 bail for a wide range of criminal offenses was irresponsible, unnecessary and an overreaction,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “A state-wide solution to local issues is almost never good policy – that is certainly the case here. People who commit offenses against others should be held accountable, COVID-19 or not.”

ATM, stolen van and suspects being arrested on Monday, April 20, 2020. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Earlier this morning, Monday, April 20, 2020, an alert citizen found one of our officers and alerted him to some people that seemed to be out of place at the Chase Bank on Delta Fair Blvd. While some bank patrons appeared to be there for their normal business, these gentlemen appeared to be attempting a rather large transaction……….of the entire ATM………with a van, chain, and sledgehammers!

Sure enough, as our officers arrived and told the would-be thieves that their transaction was being declined, three subjects fled on foot in all directions. Two of the bandits were quickly caught, but unfortunately, one managed to slip away. We are confident, however, that through leads we’ve developed, we will be able to identify and prosecute the third culprit.

As if that wasn’t enough to this story, as we were cleaning up the mess these gentlemen left behind, we then had the owner of the van being used in this attempted heist show up. He lived nearby, and to add to the list of charges our failed thieves are facing, it turns out the van being used was also stolen from a nearby apartment complex to be used in this caper.

We are happy to report both subjects arrested will be facing charges ranging from vehicle theft, to attempted grand theft, to various probation violations. They were unsuccessful in getting any money from the bank, and we were able to reunite the van with its owner! To wrap up this bizarre story, it all started with a citizen who saw something and said something!! We can’t thank you enough for alerting us to this case and helping us to catch the would-be thieves!!

Antioch Police Officer Officer Manly with the BMW that was doing donuts Sunday night, April 19, 2020. Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

A little before 8 pm Sunday night, April 19, 2020, several of you stepped-up and contacted us about a BMW spinning donuts in the intersection of Indian Hill and Toyon Way. The folks in this neighborhood WEREN’T HAVIN’ IT and sent us video and photos of the vehicle, including the license plate. Officer Manly, who PROUDLY patrols Southeast Antioch, wasn’t havin’ it either and found the BMW parked nearby. Terrorizing our neighborhoods with this sort of reckless nonsense is NEVER allowed, so Officer Manly did his duty and brought the vehicle to CAR JAIL for the next 30 DAYS!

Are you noticing a theme with our recent posts? People in our community STEP-UP when they see something wrong. Working together with our community empowers us to keep you safe. We never want our community members to put themselves in harm’s way, so please do so safely and call us at (925) 778-2441, or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency. Leave the rest to us!

We have a zero-tolerance attitude toward sideshow activity in Antioch. Any vehicle involved in this sorta craziness is subject to a minimum 30-day impound and drivers face significant fines.

Did you know Officer Manly’s favorite activities include binge-watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians, listening to John Denver, and PROTECTING ANTIOCH?!!

#AntiochStrong #AntiochPD #OfficerManly