By Sergeant Dee, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 7:20 p.m., the Antioch Police Department received a 911 call of a 3-year-old toddler, who was found in a swimming pool unresponsive at a home in the 4000 block of Rocky Point Drive. CPR instructions were provided and both medical and police units arrived within minutes of the initial call. The child was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where further life-saving efforts failed to revive the child. The case is still under investigation. Based on preliminary information and investigation it appears the incident was accidental in nature.

No further information concerning this incident will be released at this time. Any further inquiries into the status of this incident should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line (925) 779-6874.

Zepp Crouchet, age 42 of El Cerrito, deceased. Photo from Antioch Police.

By Lt. D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Unit

The deceased suspect in the shooting death of a Valero gas station clerk on Monday night in Antioch, has been identified as 42-year-old Zepp Crouchet of El Cerrito. A patrol officer shot Crouchet in the torso, who fled the scene on foot and was not initially located.

Just prior to the patrol officer intervening, the suspect had beaten and shot the victim causing fatal injuries. The firearm used by the suspect was recovered at the scene. The victim was the gas station clerk and has been identified as 57-year-old Mohammad Jawad Ataie.

Tuesday morning, the suspect was located deceased near his vehicle which was parked in the 100 block of W. 20th Street in Antioch. It appears that the suspect fled the scene of the robbery and homicide in his vehicle and stopped at that location for unknown reasons.

Crouchet received a Contra Costa County Adult School Diploma in 2006 from the County Board  of Education.  http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/supe/06mtgs/m060118.pdf

In a comment on his Facebook page on Feb. 5 of this year, he wrote, “man you gotta come see all 7 of my new whips bro i been working for the ironworkers many yrs now im a Welder best job you can ever have the pay is cap at 42 hr…god is good.”

According to The Mercury News, “in 2004, Crouchet was charged with three counts of robbery, one count of burglary, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2006, he took a plea deal and was sentenced to six years in prison, with around two years credit for time served.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Detective James Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6922. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Residents can get married, obtain documents until 7:30 pm

Summertime in Contra Costa County means two things: warmer temperatures and the Clerk-Recorder’s office being open late on Thursday nights. So, now you can get hitched without missing work!

Every Thursday between July 6th and August 31st, the Clerk Recorder Division office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez, will be open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, a welcome three-hour extension to the usual closing time.

Summer is an important time for parents to obtain birth certificates for school and those seeking documents for traveling. It is also a popular season for weddings.

“We want to provide a courtesy for our residents, especially those who work during the day and find it difficult to make it to our office before 4:30,” said County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla. Services provided during the extended hours include the issuance of marriage licenses, copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates, copies of recorded documents, fictitious business name and other professional filings.

Marriage ceremonies will also be available by appointment and walk-ins accommodated if possible. Document costs are available on the Clerk-Recorder website at www.contracostacore.us.

The Extended Summer Hours program debuted in 2015 and proved to be even more popular in its second year.

By holding longer hours in the summer season, customers are able to take advantage of the extra daylight. 368 customers were assisted during extended hours last summer, a nearly 50 percent increase over 2015. Marriage services accounted for almost half of those transactions.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 925-335-7900 or visit www.contracostacore.us.

Join the staff of the Antioch Library on Monday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. as they launch the new fiscal year with their expanded hours. Distinguished guests include Mayor Sean Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe, Council Members Tony Tiscareno, and Monica Wilson, as well as City Manager Ron Bernal.

The event is free and for all ages. The library is located at 501 W. 18th Street. For more information call (925) 757-9224.

The new hours for the library as of now are as follows:

Mon. 12 – 8 p.m.

Tues. 12 – 8 p.m.

Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fri. Closed

Sat. 12 – 5 p.m.

Sun. Closed.

The Antioch Library is one of 26 Contra Costa County community libraries. www.ccclib.org

Mohammad aka “Jawad” Ataie, the victim in Monday’s robbery and shooting death. Photo from GoFundMe page.

Officer shot him in torso; police identify victim

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

On Monday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 8:26 PM, an Antioch Police Department patrol officer observed an armed robbery occurring inside the Valero Gas Station at 1801 Hillcrest Avenue. The patrol officer intervened and confronted the armed suspect. The patrol officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect striking the suspect in the torso. The 42-year-old, black male suspect fled the scene on foot and was not initially located. Just prior to the patrol officer intervening, the suspect had beaten and shot the victim causing fatal injuries. The firearm used by the suspect was recovered at the scene. The victim was the gas station clerk and has been identified as 57-year-old Mohammad Ataie.

The following morning, the suspect was located deceased near his vehicle which was parked in the 100 block of W. 20th Street in Antioch. It appears that the suspect fled the scene of the robbery/homicide in his vehicle and stopped at this location for unknown reasons.

The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney are currently investigating the incident. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time as investigators are still attempting to locate his family. The investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released, at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Detective James Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6922. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, “Jawad, a 57 year old husband and father of 3, was working as a cashier when a robbery took place. Jawad was pistol whipped and shot twice in the back by the gunman. He died within hours of the attack…Jawad leaves behind his wife of 25 years and his three kids who have to pay for unexpected funeral costs and everyday living expenses as they adjust to their new life. He was a loving man who worked everyday, Sunday through Saturday, to provide for his family as much as he could and never complained once. Please donate if you can and help this family with their financial obligations so they can move on to the healing process.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

On Monday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 8:26 PM, a robbery and homicide occurred at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and E. 18th Street. An officer involved shooting by an Antioch Police Department patrol officer occurred at the scene of the robbery and homicide. The homicide was not a result of the officer involved shooting. The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney are currently investigating the incident. The investigation is in its early stages and no further information will be released, at this time.

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.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at approximately 12:38 p.m., Antioch officers responded to a reported shooting that occurred in the 1700 block of Sycamore Drive. On arrival, a male victim was located and transported to an area hospital for treatment. Officers are currently investigating this incident and no further information will be released, at this time.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Shoppers enjoy the variety of items at Rivertown Treasure Chest.

By Allen Payton

Another new store has opened in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, incorporating the area in it’s name: Rivertown Treasure Chest. It’s a co-op that’s co-owned by three ladies, Debbie Blaisure, Toni Lincks and Earlene Lanter and a portion of the sale of some items will benefit three local non-profit organizations.

Blaisure and Lincks bring their retail experience from owning Oddly Unique, just down the street. But, this store was a result of a dream.

“I had a dream of mixing the new and old in a co-op,” Blaisure said. “Johnny Depp came to me in a dream and said to have a treasure chest theme,” she joked.

The tag line says it all – “Something for all ages from all decades,” Blaisure added.

They rent out space in their store to other retailers, who offer a wide variety of items, including clothing, candy and other sweets, plants – including carnivorous types, greeting cards, and gifts.

The three non-profits that the store benefits are Celebrate Antioch Foundation which runs Antioch’s July 4th Celebration and the Holiday Delites in December; An Elderly Wish Foundation which grants wishes to seniors; and Special Haven, also located on G Street, which provides a multi-sensory environment for the benefit and development of children and adults with Special Needs.

Folks can donate their used wood furniture, art, statures, vases and vinyl records and half of the proceeds from the sale of the item will be donated to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Two of the ladies who help manage the store, Naomi Paul and Mary Freeman said the reason they like the store, is it brings “something that downtown Antioch deserves.”

“A little kid just bought something and an adult bought something,” Mary added, supporting the slogan of something for all ages.

Stop by Rivertown Treasure Chest at 306 G St. in Antioch and browse through all the sections to see the interesting items “from all decades.” Learn more by calling 925-238-0090 or visiting www.facebook.com/RivertownTreasureChest.