Arrested July 2, 2023, following police chase from Concord to Hercules and back to Bay Point

Has history of arrests dating to 2014

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A jury in Contra Costa County convicted an Antioch man on offenses related to a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle and illegal firearm possession.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a complaint in Superior Court charging 33-year-old Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr. (born 2/28/90), on July 6, 2023. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Philip Farmer, and on January 18th, a jury in Pittsburg found Crenshaw guilty on four out of five counts. (See charges)

The offenses with which Crenshaw was charged with started on July 1st, when a victim’s vehicle was stolen in Antioch. On July 2nd, peace officers spotted Crenshaw driving the stolen vehicle in

Concord and attempted to pull him over. A high-speed chase ensued between police and Crenshaw that began on Port Chicago Highway near Highway 4. The pursuit continued onto westbound Highway 4 as Crenshaw accelerated to 115 mph while weaving through traffic. Even after the CHP laid down a spike strip at Sycamore Avenue near Hercules to disable the vehicle,

Crenshaw continued to evade officers by driving with a flattened tire onto eastbound Highway 4. He was eventually involved in a crash at the San Marco Boulevard exit in Bay Point and was taken into custody after the collision. The entire pursuit totaled 23 miles and lasted 16 minutes.

During his arrest, officers found an AR style pistol in the stolen vehicle. (See video)

Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr.’s sentencing hearing will be on March 1st at 8:30 am in front of Judge John Cope at the Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg. Crenshaw faces a maximum of four years and four months in state prison.

According to localcrimenews.com, Crenshaw has a history of arrests dating to 2014 by Antioch PD, Napa County Sheriff’s Department, Petaluma PD, Concord PD and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for crimes including shoplifting, addict and convicted felon in possession of a firearm and other gun and ammunition charges, burglary, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily harm on a peace officer or fireman, receiving or concealing stolen property, possession of personal identity with intent to defraud, robbery and carrying a switch blade.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the 6-foot, five-inch, 205 lb. Crenshaw is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 1, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Pittsburg.

Case No. 04-23-01211 | The People of the State of California v. Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Significant decline in number of highway violence incidents involving firearms on for second year in a row.

By Jaime Coffee, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a significant milestone for public safety, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) documented a substantial reduction in the number of freeway shootings across the state.  The number of confirmed freeway shootings in California dropped from 349 to 274 last year – a reduction of more than 21% from the previous year and a 38% reduction from 2021.

In addition to the reduction in the number of freeway shootings, CHP data confirms the number of victims killed and injured in highway violence incidents also decreased.  Last year there were four people killed in freeways shootings, which is a 60% reduction from 2022.  Additionally, there was an 8% reduction in the number of people injured – from 74 to 68 last year.  Reflecting the good work that contributed to these reductions, the number of arrests by the CHP in freeways shootings increased nearly 9% from 2022.

“While this downward trend marks progress, let’s be clear: one life lost by gun violence is one too many,” said Governor Newsom. “California will remain relentless in our pursuit to improve public safety, reduce gun violence, and invest in smart crime-fighting strategies that deliver real results.”

 “Freeway shootings are serious crimes, and the CHP actively investigates every incident of highway violence,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our highways throughout California and fostering an environment where motorists can travel without fear.”

If you are driving on the freeway and a shooting takes place near you, you should remain calm, be a good witness and note any details such as vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.  Maintain a safe distance from the suspect, and call 9-1-1 if possible, to report the incident and your current location.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

City’s 2nd homicide this year

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 10:53 pm the Antioch Police Dispatch center began receiving multiple calls of shots fired with a subject injured in the unit block of Bryan Avenue. Officers arrived and located two victims, a 41-year-old male and a 59-year-old male, both from Antioch each with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid to both victims. Contra Costa Fire Department and Paramedics arrived a short time later and transported both victims to local hospitals.

The 41-year-old male victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was pronounced deceased. The second victim has life threatening injuries.

Antioch Police Detectives were notified and have taken over the investigation. We are withholding the names of the victims until proper family notifications have been made. No further information will be provided at this time.

It’s the city’s second homicide of the year. As previously reported, the first homicide occurred on Jan. 10th when a 43-year-old man was shot.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gragg at (925) 779-6889 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By BART.gov

At 3:51 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024, BART Police received a call about a shooting that occurred on the platform of Pittsburg Center Station located at 2099 Railroad Avenue. The initial report was that a male suspect shot a male victim and fled the scene. The victim was taken to an area hospital and remains in critical condition.

A few hours later a second male victim who had also been shot showed up at an area hospital. The second victim remains in stable condition with a wound to his leg. BART PD is working to determine a motive for the shooting. At this point, investigators believe the shooting was not random.

The incident forced the shutdown of Pittsburg Center Station for approximately 4 1/2 hours so investigators could gather evidence. Investigators are also reviewing surveillance video captured by platform cameras at the station. The station was reopened and normal service restored.

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is seeking assistance in locating a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run with injuries. The collision occurred on January 14, 2024, at approximately 12:50 am. in the intersection of Laurel Road and Canada Valley Road. If you have any information related to this hit-and-run, please call our Investigations Department at 925-779-6925.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at approximately 10:26 pm, Antioch Police Officers were alerted to the area of Lone Tree Way and Deer Valley Road on a report of a stolen vehicle out of San Francisco. An Antioch Police Officer located the occupied stolen vehicle parked in the area of Longbranch Way and Prairie Way. As the officer pulled in behind, the suspect vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued. An occupant in the stolen vehicle fired several rounds at the officer, which struck the patrol car. The pursuit continued into Brentwood entering Highway 4 at Jeffrey Way.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Golf Course Drive and Cache Peak. The vehicle was later located abandoned near Kaiser Hospital on Deer Valley Road. As officers returned to the original crime scene to look for evidence, a second stolen vehicle out of Concord was seen driving without any headlights on. With the assistance of Brentwood Police a pursuit ensued. The occupants of the second stolen vehicle abandoned the car in the area of Lone Tree Way and Heidorn Ranch Road and fled on foot. A perimeter was established but the suspects were not located. A rifle and shell casings were located.

There were no reported injuries to any citizens or officers. Antioch Police are currently following up on leads to identify the suspects. We wish to thank the Brentwood Police Department and the Pittsburg Police Department for their assistance during this incident. There is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lieutenant Martin at 925-779-6972 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at approximately 8:18 pm Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 Block of Fitzuren Road on a report of shots fired. Officers arrived and located a 43-year-old male from Antioch with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid to the victim who succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by paramedics. Antioch Police Detectives were notified and are conducting this active investigation.

We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notification has been made. No further information will be provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Palma at 925-779-6876 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441.

By Sergeant Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On January 03, 2024, at approximately 8:37 PM, Antioch police officers responded to Sycamore Square located at 1068 Sycamore Drive for a reported shooting that occurred in the parking lot.

When officers arrived, they located evidence of shooting. While officers were on scene, a 32-year-old male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound arrived at an area hospital. The male victim was treated for his injuries where he was admitted and is in critical but stable condition.

Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by emailing aduffy@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.