By Acting Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at approximately 1:39 PM, Antioch Police Department dispatch received several calls regarding a solo vehicle collision into a fire hydrant at Hillcrest Avenue and Lone Tree Way. APD Officers arrived on scene and found a single vehicle roll over collision. It was learned that an 18-year-old Antioch male was driving with his 19-year-old Antioch female passenger southbound on Hillcrest Avenue. The male left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle then rolled over ejecting the female passenger.

Both the male and female were transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. Speed was a contributing factor in this collision.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case 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 Dimitri Barakos #2176, Community Policing Bureau

This morning, Wednesday, September 07, 2016, at approximately 3:12 a.m. the Antioch Police Department received a call of a house fire at a residence in the 5100 block of McCormick Court. Officers determined that an unknown responsible spray painted a racial slur and a swastika on the victim’s residence. The responsible also threw Molotov cocktails at the residence, catching the roof and bushes on fire. Damage to the residence was minimal and no one was injured.

“The APD is treating this incident as very serious,” said Chief Allan Cantando during a press conference at the Antioch Police Facility, this morning. “The members of this department and myself, and our community are appalled and disgusted by this event.”

“Currently, we have multiple investigators assigned for this incident, as well as working with Con Fire Arson Investigator, [Vic] Massenkoff.”

This morning I had the opportunity to visit with the family…and explained to them we will be putting a lot of resources towards this incident to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the chief continued. “This is a case that we are going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

Asked if it was  Jewish family, with the spray painting of swastikas on the house, Cantando responded, “There was some painted racial slurs on the house, the N-word was painted on a couple different parts of the home, that’s why we’re treating this as a hate crime.” He confirmed that swastikas were painted on the house, as well.

The victims are an African American family, made up of three adults and four children, according to Massenkoff. The oldest daughter, an adult, is the one who “awoke to it and alerted her mother to the fire.”

According to a question from KRON-4 News TV reporter, Terisa Estacio, the home owner said there was some surveillance video and described the perpetrator as a caucasian man driving a distinctive vehicle.

Cantando would not confirm that information, stating “when we have more details on that, we will be putting that out.

“We are looking for more surveillance video for the media’s help and the public’s help to solve this crime as soon as possible,” he added.

In a late night press release announcing a press conference for Thursday at 5:00 p.m., Antioch Mayor Wade Harper offered his thoughts.

“I have received the report from the Antioch Police Department regarding the hate crime committed against a family on McCormick Court today in the City of Antioch,” he stated. “It is difficult for me to understand why anyone would commit such hateful acts against anyone. Make no mistake this is a senseless act that will not be tolerated in any way, form or fashion.”

The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Call Detective Allendorph at 779-6933. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

To view a video of the press conference, please see the Antioch Herald Facebook page at www.facebook.com/antiochheraldca. To see video showing the damage to home on KRON-4’s website, click here.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 5:00-7:00pm

Please join us and tour the new BART to Antioch Train!

Testing has begun on this new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) vehicle – you may have already seen it traveling in the center median of Hwy 4.

This is your opportunity to view it in person at a public open house.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

5:00-7:00pm

BART’s Antioch Maintenance Facility

End of Slatten Ranch Road (formerly Sunset Drive), Antioch

Just east of the Park & Ride lot at the new Antioch BART Station
at Hillcrest Avenue and Sunset Drive, Antioch, CA.

To RSVP please visit:  eventbrite.com/e/bart-to-antioch-train-preview-open-house-tickets-27182466489 or call (510) 464-6257.

For more information about the project: http://www.bart.gov/about/projects/ecc

Dr. Adam Clark

At their most recent meeting on August 24, 2016, the Antioch School Board voted to hire Dr. Adam Clark as the District’s Associate Superintendent for Educational Services. He began his new position on Thursday, September 1 and replaced Stephanie Anello who was promoted to Superintendent, in June.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Clark to AUSD,” Anello said. “He brings with him experience leading change at the elementary, middle and high school levels and will be an asset to our educational program. Most importantly, he is excited to serve the students and families of the Antioch community.”

According to his contract, Clark will be paid $190,056 per year, a $300 per month automobile stipend and other benefits, which are received by and afforded to other certified management staff in the district. It also includes a six month severance package. To see the complete contract, click here: Dr Adam Clark contract

Clark most recently served as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in the Liberty Union High School District.  Prior to that time, Dr. Clark served as principal for Miramonte High School for five years.  His experience also includes principalships at Adams Middle School and Krey Elementary School in Brentwood, as well as teaching positions with schools in Brentwood and Richmond.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Antioch Unified School District,” he said. “I’ve been in far East County since 1999.”

In his position with Liberty he worked on various services, such as foster kids, homeless youth, and health and safety.

“When this position opened up with the Ed services piece, I was very excited to come on board to help with education, student services as well as special education,” Clark stated.

He also said he was excited to work with Anello.

“She’s very committed to the students in Antioch and the community at large,” Clark offered

He is diving right in, working to get up to speed on the Antioch district.

“Since starting last Thursday, I’ve been visiting with stakeholders and school sites,” he continued. “I’ve been learning about the various programs in the district and will be working to  implement the LCAP in our schools and making sure our community understands the LCAP and getting input from the community to make sure we capture their desires and expectations.”

Clark received a BA in Sociology from San Jose State University, and a masters degree and doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, which he completed in May.  He holds a multiple subject and an administrative credential.

Dr. Clark and his wife Michelle have three children. Their oldest son, Marcus, is 22 and recently graduated from Arizona State University.  Their son Rene, who is 19, attends the University of San Diego, and their daughter Jazmyne is 17 and a high school senior.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch School Board was hit with a two-fold challenge when approving the budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17. Revenue is down because enrollment continues to decrease in the district. But, at the same time there have been increases in district staff retirement costs.

The presentation, by Interim Chief Business Officer Chris Learned, began with him saying “your enrollment is declining” and ”your deficit spending is continuing to be a problem.” That was followed by Learned stating, “It’s starting to be scary.”

Enrollment in the district has decreased since the 2004-05 school year by 4,285 students, for a total of 24.15%. It decreased by 485 students between Fiscal Years 2014-15 and 2015-16 and projected to decrease another 434 students for this new school year.

Revenue to the district increased, this year, by $6.4 million in Local Control Funding Formula funding and $100,000 from the federal government. However, revenue from the state decreased by $7.2 million and other revenue is down by $1.8 million. That created a net decrease of $2.46 million in annual revenue.

The costs for CALSTRS, which is the state retirement plan for teachers, and for CALPERS, the retirement plan for all other district personnel, increased.

“The cumulative effect is an $11.2 million hit to the district,” Learned said.

The district will experience deficit spending of $1.2 million, this year, $2.1 million next year, and $2.4 million in Fiscal Year 2018-19.

The district is required to have 3% in reserves, which “doesn’t even cover one payroll for the district,” he shared. “We want to keep reserves at 7%, preferably 10%.”

The district currently has $15.3 million in reserves or 8.1% of the total $190 million budget.

Learned said he’s concerned that “one-time money is being used for ongoing expenses.”

Trustee Debra Vinson spoke, first.

“Our desire is to protect the district and remain in the black,” she said. “I’m very impressed with your management team, here” adding because it’s “conservative.”

Trustee Walter Ruehlig asked “is it too early to project if there’s going to be layoffs?”

Learned responded, “It’s too early.”

Trustee Fernando Navarro asked “why are we dipping into the budget for books and supplies?”

“We’re doing a big text book purchase,” Learned said. “Budgeted this year. Purchase next year.”

Navarro later clarified that his question was to ensure that the funds for books and supplies were not being for use any other purpose, “and not balancing the budget on the backs of the students.”

The board members voted unanimously to adopt the budget totaling $190,423,184.15.

Be Cool By The Pool this hot Labor Day weekend and say good-bye to summer at the Antioch Water Park.  Hours are 11:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  All five slides are operating and each pool provides a unique swimming experience.  You can swim laps and exercise, play with your toddlers and young children, stand and splash while the kids ride the slides, and challenge the floating lily pads in the sport pool.

Need a place for a last minute Birthday party or family get-together?  Let the friendly staff at Antioch Water Park help you this weekend.  For more information please contact the Water Park 776-3070 or visit their page on the City’s website.

By Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On February 14, 2016 Antioch Officers were dispatched to the Economy Inn at 520 E. 18th Street for a 16 year old girl that had been drugged and sexually assaulted. When Officers arrived they contacted an 18 year old girl from Brentwood and a 16 year old girl from Antioch in the parking lot and quickly learned the 16 year old had likely been sexually assaulted in one of the rooms.

Economy Inn

Officers contacted a male in the room, 43 year old Cori Murphy of Antioch and two women, 27 year old Rose Ann Pennell of Bay Point and 23 year old Sarah Denzer of Antioch. The 16 and 18 year old victims described running into Pennell on February 13 and that she was a family acquaintance of one of the girls. Pennell invited them to her hotel room to hang out. When they got to the hotel, Denzer and Murphy were there, but the girls did not know them.

The girls were given alcohol and other open bottles of soda that they drank from and drugs, as well. The 16 year went unconscious at some point that afternoon. The 18 year old was dropped off that evening at another area business in an altered state of mind for her father to pick her up. It is not believed she was assaulted.

On February 14, when the 18 year old woke up at home she realized her 16 year old friend had been left behind at the hotel and she was concerned. She had her father take her to the hotel, where she found the 16 year old groggy and partially unclothed. The 16 year old victim had some recollection of being sexually assaulted and raped throughout the night by both Pennell and Murphy. Pennell, Murphy and Denzer all denied anything sexual happened.

Pennell and Murphy were both arrested without incident and booked into County Jail. There was no evidence linking Denzer to the sexual assault at the time and she was released.

On February 16, 2016 the case was presented to the Office of the District Attorney, but charges were not filed as much forensic evidence examination still need to be conducted to corroborate the victim’s statement.

On July 19, while examining additional evidence on this case an additional victim was identified. The additional victim is a 14 year old girl from Antioch and was drugged, sexually assaulted and raped at the same location on February 8, 2016. In this case Denzer was implicated as well as Murphy and Pennell.

Investigators had a warrant issued for Denzer and she was located and arrested on August 19, 2016. On August 23, the entire case involving both sexual assault victims was presented to the Office of the District Attorney along with DNA and other forensic evidence. The D.A.’s office filed 18 felony charges against Murphy, Pennell and Denzer. With Denzer still in custody the D.A. issued arrest warrants for Murphy and Pennell.

On August 24, Murphy approached an Antioch Police Officer seeking civil advice on how to get property back that rightfully belonged to him. During this encounter the Officer learned of the outstanding warrant for Murphy and took him into custody without incident. Before transporting Murphy from his arrest location Officers checked his purple Plymouth Voyager van and located a 32 year old Martinez woman in the back of his van. She was incoherent and was partially disrobed. She was taken to the hospital for an exam and this incident is currently being further in

vestigated.

On Saturday, August 27, Pennell was taken into custody on the warrant in Washington state. Antioch Investigators responded to Washington, where they interviewed her and transported her back and booked her into the Contra Costa County Jail. Murphy, Pennell and Denzer are being held in the Contra Costa County Jail and their bail is $4,000,000 each.

The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau. No further information will be released at this time.

If there are any unknown additional victims of Murphy, Pennell and Denzer, we ask that they reach out to our Investigator.  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Perkinson with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6932. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant William Dee, Antioch Police Patrol Division

On Thursday, September 1, 2016, at 6:02 pm, Antioch Police were called to the area of Lone Tree Way at James Donlon Blvd regarding an injury accident. According to the reporting party at least one male victim was partially ejected but still inside his vehicle.

Upon arrival, we learned a male subject in a Honda Accord had been driving east on James Donlon Blvd approaching the intersection of Lone Tree Way. According to witnesses, the male appeared to be having a seizure and lost control of his vehicle. He crossed the median and collided with a light pole shearing it from its base. His vehicle continued east in the westbound lanes and collided with another vehicle head on.

Inside that vehicle were a 39-year-old female and her 5-year-old daughter. The adult female suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital for complaint of pain. The male did not appear to be wearing his seatbelt and was thrown into the passenger side windshield. He was partially ejected causing severe injuries.

Several bystanders helped to pull him from the vehicle and remained with him until medical units arrived. The male was taken to John Muir Medical Center via ambulance where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Any further information will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.