By Amanda Davis

I wanted to reach out about a devastating dog attack that happened to my family on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Antioch. My 73-year-old father was severely injured by three loose dogs, and our small family dog was killed during the attack near Greystone Drive and Rockford Drive, close to John Muir Elementary.

Antioch Animal Services (Case #25-9756) is actively investigating, but the police have not received cooperation from the homeowners believed to own the dogs involved. Furthermore, the flyers (pic attached) we have posted in the neighborhood have been torn down, which feels very intentional. We are desperately trying to locate the owners and are hoping that some news coverage might encourage witnesses or neighbors to come forward with information.

My father had surgery on 11/13 because of his injuries and had to stay in the hospital for the night for monitoring.

Our family is heartbroken and doing everything we can to help Animal Services find the truth.

This story is about accountability and public safety, as the dogs are still unaccounted for and we do not want another family to suffer like ours has.

Here are the factual details of the incident.

• The attack occurred on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 8:15 AM near the intersection of Greystone Drive and Rockford Drive in the Eagleridge neighborhood of Antioch.
• My father, Jim Thomson, was walking his small dog, Benji, on leash.
• Three large dogs came up from behind with no owner present and attacked Benji.
• My father fell into the street during the attack and later required surgery for a fractured elbow.
• Nearby residents intervened and assisted my father by calling 911. He was transported via ambulance to Kaiser Sand Creek.
• Witnesses described the dogs as one husky, one Belgian Malinois, and a third dog that may have been a shepherd mix. They ran off after the attack and were seen by multiple people in the neighborhood including the paramedics transporting Jim to the hospital. 
• Candy Thomson, Jim’s wife, transported Benji, with the help of a neighbor to VCA, the emergency vet, on Sunset Drive where Benji died from his injuries.
• Several neighbors have already provided helpful information, and we are hoping that anyone with additional details or security camera footage from approximately 8 to 9 AM on 11/2 will come forward.
• Animal Control is currently investigating. Jessica Knittel is our contact.

If you have any information about the attack or name of the owner please contact Antioch Animal Services at (925) 779-6989 or his daughter at (213) 361-5407.

34-year-old Brandon Rowlett with 10-year history of 25 arrests injured 59-year-old Frank Troia who remains in critical condition

Held on $500,000 bail

“It was a one-on-one fight that got out of hand.” – APD Lt. Whitaker

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at approximately 2:46 a.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls of a subject down on the roadway at Lone Tree Way and W. Tregallas Road. When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim who appeared to have been involved in a physical altercation. Antioch Police officers provided aid to the victim at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

According to Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker, on November 19, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau located and arrested 34-year-old Brandon Rowlett for attempted homicide.

Police also identified the victim, 59-year-old Frank Troia, who remains in critical condition at an area hospital.

“Both are unhoused in Antioch,” Whitaker shared.

Asked if any vehicles were involved as the original post on APD’s social media claimed it was a traffic accident, he said, “No vehicles were involved. It was a one-on-one fight that got out of hand.”

Whitaker also explained the difference in the markers placed at the scene. The yellow markers are for evidence placed by officers who first arrive on scene. The blue markers are placed by the detectives during their investigation.

This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Arturo Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or by email at abecerra@antiochca.gov.

According to localcrimenews.com, Rowlett has a history of 25 arrests dating back to 2015 by Antioch Police and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department on weapons and drug charges and for crimes including vandalism, burglary, multiple counts of disobeying a domestic relations court order and multiple counts of failure to appear.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, four-inch tall, 162-pound suspect is Hispanic, but also listed as white, and being held on $500,000 bail in the West County Detention Facility.

See list of 21 arrests Nov. 2-8, many for domestic violence, drugs

By Antioch Police Department

We don’t stop! Even with the shorter days and colder weather your officers responded to 1,685 calls for service, investigated 168 cases and made 22 arrests in just the last 7 days. That’s an average of 240 calls for service every day!

We don’t take days off. We don’t stop working during bad weather. We don’t have business hours. Day in and day out the wheels of justice keep turning in the City of Antioch thanks to the hard-working men and women at the Antioch Police Department.

Like always, we cannot do it without your continued support!

Weekly Adult Arrests Report

According to the most recent APD Weekly Adult Arrests Report by the Crime Analysis Unit, for the previous week, Nov. 2-8, 2025, those arrested ranged in age from 21 to 64 and were arrested for the following crimes:

4 for Assault with a deadly weapon with force: possible great bodily harm;

2 for Battery on a spouse/ex-spouse/date/etc., one Simple;

2 for Battery w/serious bodily injury;

3 for Inflict corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant/dating relationship – Aggravated;

2 for Burglary: second degree – Burglary/breaking and entering;

Felon/addict in possession, etc. of a firearm;

Possess narcotic controlled substance;

Possess unlawful paraphernalia;

Possess controlled substance;

Driving while suspended with DUI priors;

2 for Reckless driving: highway (Felony);

2 for Vandalism: damage property (Felony);

Failure to register as a sex offender violation after incarceration;

Petty theft: retail merchandise/etc.;

Shoplifting (Misdemeanor);

Trespass: occupying a property without consent;

Evading peace officer;

Accessory after the fact (Felony);

Personate to make other liable – False Impersonation (Felony);

Bench warrant/failure to appear on felony charge; and

2 for Bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police Lt. Joe Njoroge confirmed the report of a shooting in the city, last Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. An “adult male suffered a single gunshot wound that was non-life-threatening and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment,” the lieutenant shared. He is a “20-year-old Antioch resident.”

The shooting occurred on Claudia Court and “the call came in at 8:00 p.m.” Njoroge added.

“We’re investigating leads that we have. There’s not an ongoing threat to the public,” he stated but would not offer any additional details.

Join the Antioch Police Department, Downtown Antioch Association and the Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch this Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, for a Community Clean-Up in Antioch’s Rivertown Business District.

Let’s come together to beautify our city and make a positive impact. It’s a great opportunity to give back and connect with local business owners.

Meet at 10:00 AM at Prime Vintage Realty, 340 W. 2nd Street in historic downtown.

See you there!

By Lt. Joe Njoroge #7052, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, just after 4:30 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Sunset Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a 9-year-old boy who had been struck by gunfire.

Officers immediately provided medical aid until personnel from Con Fire arrived. The victim was transported by helicopter from nearby Bidwell High School to a local hospital where he is being treated for injuries determined to be non-life-threatening.

Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male who was later taken into custody.

UPDATE 1: According to KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee in a post on X, the 17-year-old saw a man at a smoke shop on Sunset Drive “in Antioch with whom he has ongoing feud. Teen fires numerous shots (opens fire inside business), missing his target – and instead hitting 9yo boy in neck while victim is in back room of his uncle’s shop.”

The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at tips@antiochca.gov.

See Spotlight CoCoCounty video of response to the incident.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Another Halloween Pawty!

By Antioch Animal Services

The APD Haunted House returns! 

We are excited to be having another Halloween Pawty and this time alongside Antioch Police Department who are returning with their Haunted House.

Enjoy K9, SWAT, Drone, Crisis Negotiations Team and Motor Unit demonstrations.

The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m. at 300 L Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

We are accepting candy donations at Antioch Animal Services next door to the Antioch Police Facility.

Prime Days are offering deals right meow… More event details coming soon! 

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse held on $100,000 bail; celebrating her birthday in jail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Brentwood officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of Lone Tree Way in response to a report of a suspicious circumstance. The reporting party stated they heard gunshots in a commercial parking lot and associated the sounds with a parked vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers detained three subjects near the vehicle in question. During the investigation, officers located an un-serialized loaded firearm and a spent casing near the vehicle. A large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics sales were also found.

43-year-old Veronica Angelica-Maria Greenhouse of Antioch (born 10/28/82) was arrested for multiple firearm-related offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as possession of narcotics for sale. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot tall, 125-pound Greenhouse is Hispanic, is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $100,000 bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Superior Court in Martinez on Nov. 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.