The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of a female suspect for robbery of an Antioch Letter Carrier on Nov. 29, 2024.
The USPIS issued the following announcement on Dec. 6th:
“The suspect was described as a medium build female, in her mid-20s to early 30s, and 5’6″-5’7″ feet tall. She was wearing a black or blue hooded sweatshirt, with a Covid mask or scarf covering her mouth. She was last seen running westbound on Lawton Street.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) involved in the robbery of a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier at gun point. The incident occurred on November 29, 2024, at approximately 6:40 p.m., while delivering mail on Lawton Street in Antioch, CA 94509.
TAKE NO ACTION TO APPREHEND THESE PERSONS YOURSELF
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the: U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 (say ‘Law Enforcement’)
Reference Case No. 4432888
All information will be kept strictly confidential.”
A high-speed chase from Antioch to Bay Point reaching speeds of 112 MPH on Highway 4 ends in arrest of two carjacking suspects Thursday, Dec. 5, 2025. Sources: Vehicle dash cam, body cam video screenshots and photo by APD.
With help from K9, Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Pittsburg PD
By Antioch Police Department
Are you guys keeping score!? Tally two more for the good guys! ARMED CARJACKERS IN CUSTODY!
Thursday night, Dec. 5, 2024, at 6:15pm two victims were sitting in their vehicle in downtown Antioch when two brazen bandits forced them from their vehicle at gunpoint! The uncouth characters fled in the now stolen vehicle. What the two brainy bandits didn’t know is the vehicle had LoJack tracking capabilities.
During the chase, speeds reached 112 miles per hour on Highway 4.
K9 Kona and her leash holder located the vehicle on 18th street and gave chase. Luckily our buddies at Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office have a sweet little helicopter and they happened to be out for an evening cruise! The suspects fled to Bay Point where a platoon sized force of Antioch PD, Pittsburg PD and Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputies were waiting. The two suspects were both arrested fleeing from the vehicle!
On a “don’t commit crimes” side note, one of the suspects broke their ankle hopping a fence. They were cleared at the hospital and booked!
Antioch Police officers arrest three suspects for drugs on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Photos: Antioch PD
By Antioch Police Department
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, the eagle-eyed residents of the Beede Way neighborhood called about people entering a Red Tagged residence on the street. When our officers arrived, three individuals were located inside and swiftly placed under arrest. Before being placed into a patrol vehicle a search of their pockets was conducted and to our utter amazement …drum roll please…methamphetamine and a meth pipe were located! All three individuals were booked at our jail!
Editorial side note: You may recognize the middle subject’s golden locks from a post a couple months back! The same regal gentleman with the coiffure seen here drove past our officers in a stolen vehicle on A Street and was arrested!! Today he cashed in his frequent flyer miles for a one-way ticket to our all-inclusive APD resort! (jail)
Antioch Police officers with members of the Vistalli family at their “Disney House” decorated for Christmas in 2021. Photo by AP
See over 35,000 lights and 70+ handmade wooden cut-outs
Special Guest Appearance by Belle for photos with guests
By Antioch Police Department
For 28 years, with the help of our family, friends and community, we have been providing holiday support to local families. Please help us continue our efforts this year during our Drive by Disney “Spirit & Support” at the home of Gary and Kristen Vistalli located at 3732 Colonial Court. The event will be held this Saturday, Dec. 7.
See have over 35,000 lights and 70+ wooden cut-outs all handmade and SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE by Belle who will be there taking photos with guests.
Herald file photo.
We’re collecting gift cards, new unwrapped toys, blankets, clothes including hats, gloves, scarves and socks, as well as money including Venmo payments. Items collected will be provided to the Antioch Police Department Giveaway Event for Antioch residents. Our goal is 100 families or even more!
We REALLY need items for TEENS!
Drive by and drop off between the hours of 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. If you cannot come by in person, please consider a monetary donation or if local, we can arrange a pick-up. Just let us know. We truly appreciate your generosity for so many in need.
Church window the arrested burglar broke using an axe on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. Photos: Antioch PD
“But the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Used axe to break in
By Antioch Police Department
When the pastor at First Family Church on Contra Loma responded to check an alarm in the early hours of Thanksgiving he was not expecting to confront a burglar, but that’s what happened. When the burglar saw his wicked deeds had been discovered he decided to fight with the pastor instead of repent. What he did not know was the pastor would win this battle of good and evil, and he held down the perp until APD arrived and placed the man in custody.
We are thankful today that the pastor was uninjured during this incident and hopeful that with amazing community members like we have been highlighting lately, we can turn the tide on crime in our city.
The axe in the photo was used to break a window on the church which is how the burglar entered.
Antioch Police Lt. Matt Koch was joined by Interim Chief Brian Addington (left) and Captain Joe Vigil (right) during the graduation ceremony on Nov. 20, 2024, in Del Mar, California. Photo: Antioch PD
SBSLI, established by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), is one of the most respected leadership programs in law enforcement. Over the course of eight months, participants engage in intensive training designed to enhance leadership, critical thinking, and team-building skills. SBSLI challenges its graduates to reflect on their leadership styles, develop emotional intelligence, and master the tools needed to inspire and guide their teams in today’s dynamic public safety environment. The institute is name for the 29th Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
The dedication and perseverance it takes to complete this rigorous program are a testament to Lt. Koch’s commitment to excellence. His graduation is not only a personal milestone but also a win for our entire team, as he brings back invaluable insights to help strengthen our department.
Interim Chief Brian Addington and Captain Joe Vigil were honored to attend the ceremony in Del Mar, California on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, to support and celebrate this incredible achievement. Lt. Koch, your hard work and determination continue to make us proud!
Koch began his career in law enforcement with the Antioch Police Department as a cadet in 1996, then served as a reserve officer in 1999 until being hired as a police officer in August 2001. He was promoted to the position of lieutenant in June.
Including hiring search firm for police chief recruitment, giving authority to Planning Commission to approve tentative maps, commission appointments
Also, Climate Action and Resilience Plan, lawsuit by Antioch Police Officers Association
By Allen D. Payton
Just two weeks before a new council majority is seated, with Antioch’s new mayor and two members to be sworn in, defeated Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe has placed a variety of major issues on the agenda for the current council to decide during their “lame duck” meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. A lame duck government meeting occurs whenever an elected board meets after its successors are elected.
Prior to the regular session at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a significant exposure to anticipated litigation and two lawsuits, one by the mother of a man who died following interactions with police and one by the Antioch Police Officers Association.
The one issue that is the responsibility of the current council is their response to the scathing report from the Civil Grand Jury, from earlier this year. But the other major issues the current mayor has placed on the agenda include hiring a search firm for recruiting a permanent police chief, giving authority to the Planning Commission to approve tentative maps, appointments of two members to the Planning Commission, one to the Parks and Recreation Commission and two to the Police Oversight Commission, all of which could be left to the new mayor and council majority to decide.
The council will also consider giving a city-owned parcel on E. 18th Street to Con Fire for a new station, directing city staff to discuss with the county the use of a 4.7-acre city-owned lot on Delta Fair Blvd. for homeless shelter, and adopting a Climate Action and Resilience Plan.
The council will also consider under item #15 potential upgrades to the Antioch Amtrak Station to help keep it from being closed or decommissioned in the next two to three years as is the current approved plan of the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority which oversees the Amtrak service in and through Antioch. Finally, under item #15, the council will consider allocating $60,000 for a Chinese Commemoration Public Art Project in the area of Rivertown which was the City’s Chinatown in the 1800’s.
Organizational chart of how the general law City of Antioch is supposed to operate as pointed out in the Grand Jury report.
Response to Grand Jury Report
Under agenda item #1, carried over twice from previous meetings, the council will consider, “Approving an addendum to specific Findings and Recommendations identified in the Grand Jury Noncompliance letters dated October 3, 2024 in response to the Findings and Recommendations resulting from the 2023-2024 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report of June 12, 2024 entitled: “Challenges Facing the City of Antioch” Addendum; and 2) Authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit it to the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury.”
Hiring Search Firm for Police Chief Recruitment
Under the Consent Calendar item #6L, the council will consider hiring executive search firm Bob Hall & Associates to recruit a permanent police chief. According to the city staff report, in September, the City issued a Request for Qualifications to attract qualified recruitment firms capable of conducting a nationwide search. The Human Resources Department contacted 29 firms and of those contacted, seven firms submitted applications.
On Oct. 31st, City staff and a representative from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission evaluated and ranked the applications based on the firms’ experience, proposed recruitment strategies, cost effectiveness, commitment to diversity and ability to meet the City’s timeline and goals. Two firms were identified as the closest matches to the criteria and were interviewed, during which they outlined “their strategies and processes for engaging the community and fostering trust between the Police Department and community members.” Bob Hall & Associates was ranked the highest and selected.
The Huntington Beach-based firm’s most recent police chief recruitment effort was in the City of Vallejo. According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, it’s founder and namesake, Bob Hall, passed away “on July 12, 2024, after a 5-month battle with cancer.”
UPDATE: Interim Chief Brian Addington said he was part of the decision-making process in selecting the firm and that it was Commission Chairperson Porsche Taylor as the member who participated, as well. He said he feels very confident in the search firm and that both finalists had the needed experience.
In addition, Rachel Hall, the firm’s Recruitment Manager, shared, “Bob Hall & Associates was founded in 2019 and we will be dedicating a specialized team to the Antioch Police Chief recruitment.”
Allowing Planning Commission Approval of Tentative Maps
According to the city staff report for agenda item #7, “In order to streamline Antioch’s development review process and make it more consistent with neighboring jurisdictions and the goals of the Housing Element, this proposed ordinance (“Ordinance”) amends AMC (Antioch Municipal Code) Title 9, Chapter 4, Articles 1 and 3 to assign the Planning Commission the sole authority to approve Tentative Maps as the Advisory Agency in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act, while designating the City Council to act as the Appeals Board for Tentative Map decisions and to continue approving Final Maps.”
Meeting Information
The regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99. See the complete agenda packet.
See separate article about the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan. An effort to reach Mike Rains, the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association for more details about their lawsuit was also unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
No injuries so far in city’s 25th shooting since Sept. 2nd; police seek suspect(s)
By Lt. John Fortner, Antioch Police Field Services Division
At 1:47 p.m., the Antioch Police Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting numerous gunshots coming from the 1200 block of Sycamore Drive.
When officers arrived at the scene, they located several bullet casings in the roadway and a discarded pistol on the ground. At the time of this investigation no victims have been identified or come forward.
The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected.
The police department has been assigning officers to patrol this area and will be increasing the coverage times.
It’s the 25th shooting in Antioch since Sept. 2nd, with 21 of them in the Sycamore corridor. The shooting is also the seventh since the council approved the Violence Reduction Initiative, last month, which is focused on both that area of the city and the Cavallo Road / E. 18th area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925 )778-2441, the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6925, or email a tip to tips@antiochca.gov.
