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

Suspects arrested for stealing Amazon delivery van Saturday, April 18, 2020. Photos: APD.

By Antioch Police Department

You wanna know what makes East county strong? Read below and I’ll tell you…

Just before 2 pm on Saturday, April 18, 2020, APD was notified that an Amazon delivery van had been stolen on West 9th and B Streets. Our awesome dispatchers put out a quick alert to all surrounding police departments to be-on-the-lookout. A short time later, an observant Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg, CA Police Officer found the van and began recovering it. While doing so, an equally observant Pittsburg resident approached the officer and said they saw some suspicious characters removing packages from the van, placing them into a silver Mitsubishi with Colorado plates.

The witness took a picture of the plate and gave it to the officer, which was relayed back to us. At about 3:30 pm, Officer Angelini (pictured left fitting the first crook with new bracelets) spotted said Mitsubishi on the south side of our fine city and halted this criminal spree. Officers found several stolen packages in the back of the vehicle and will be working with Amazon to get them back to their intended destinations.

Suspects’ car with Amazon packages inside. Photos by APD.

Note to criminals: Stealing vehicles and packages are not essential activities. Your failure to #StayAtHome and your decision to mess with Antioch and Pittsburg resulted in an express trip to the County Motel (AKA jail).

Amazon packages APD Officer Angelini on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Photo by APD.

This incident is the classic example of “See Something, Say Something! This was a collaborative effort between two cities, two police departments, and a very alert citizen. Please continue to report suspicious incidents to our Dispatch at (925) 778-2441, or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency.

A special thanks to the Pittsburg resident and Pittsburg PD for continuing to show they are a great neighbor!!! #EastCountyStrong #AntiochPD #PittsburgPD

Some of you have asked more about Officer Angelini after his good bust yesterday from the Amazon package theft caper. Here’s a picture of him taking a moment away from his investigation to proudly pose next to his find. Did you know Officer Angelini is originally from Brazil, speaks three languages, loves riding dirt bikes, and (sorry ladies!) is happily married! #OfficerAngelini #DontStealPackages

Seniors, public invited to listen – must register, first

SAN FRANCISCO – Prosecutors from the four United States Attorney’s Offices in California, along with representatives from the FBI, will participate in a telephonic town hall to help California residents identify and avoid fraudulent schemes related to Coronavirus and COVID-19.  The event is being coordinated by the American Association of Retired Persons (“AARP”).

The telephonic town hall will happen on Monday, April 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. PDT. During the event, a special agent from the FBI and a federal prosecutor will make presentations, and participants from across California will be allowed to ask questions to a panel of Assistant United States Attorneys from the four offices that serve California.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is providing the infrastructure for the event. Approximately 100,000 AARP members will receive a phone call Monday morning inviting them to participate in the town hall. Those who wish to receive an invitation may sign up here (https://vekeo.com/aarpcalifornia/).

During the current health crisis, federal investigators and prosecutors continue to fulfill their critical mission of protecting public safety. Federal officials have prioritized the disruption, investigation and prosecution of crimes related to Coronavirus and COVID-19, including fraudulent schemes, unapproved treatments, and scams related to stimulus money. During the town hall, federal officials will discuss the types of schemes currently being seen, along with tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Soon after the town hall event, a recording will be available at https://vekeo.com/aarpcalifornia/.

REPORT COVID-19 CRIME.  Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

Screenshot of CC Health Services Coronavirus Dashboard.

By Allen Payton

As of Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is reporting a total of 685 cases of COVID-19/coronavirus, and a total of 19 deaths in the county, three more than yesterday. There are 37 people diagnosed with the virus currently hospitalized.

A total of 8,944 people have been tested for the virus in the county. There are 51 people who have tested positive for COVID-19/coronavirus in Antioch.

The county’s coronavirus dashboard also offers hospital information. It shows the daily Intensive Care Unit Occupancy Rate and Ventilator Utilization for all hospitals in the county.

The largest category of those who have been diagnosed with the virus continue to be people ages 41-60 with 251 cases.

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