Monica’s Riverview in downtown Antioch is the latest business to be a victim of an overnight burglary.
According to Monica Barajas, owner of Monica’s Riverview, security footage captured a burglar around 12:45 am Sunday morning coming through a window and entering the restaurant office area. The subject was in and out in less than 10-minutes. Barajas was still in the process of itemizing the loss, however, she estimates that between property damage, cash, and product loss, they are out $15k. No other information was provided as they were still working details on the burglary.
More than 55 business burglaries have been reported in the City of Antioch thus far in 2023 — including Monica’s Riverview.
This week, after the Antioch Police Department was “muzzled” regarding recent burglaries, the Antioch Police Officers Association released the names of suspects involved in multiple burglaries in Antioch over the past several days, even weeks.
Police identified them as Casey Beck and Alyssa Castro who they believe are responsible for burglaries to Muscle Maker Grill, Tailgaters Sports Bar, Hidden Dragon and possibly The Hillcrest TapHouse. Police are also searching for other possible victims.
The crime spree began Wednesday morning when the Hillcrest Taphouse in the City of Antioch was burglarized and said the Antioch Police response took nearly 4 hours to respond–it was later discovered Cocina Medina Mexican Restaurant was also hit by burglars.
This prompted an open letter to the community from the Antioch Police Department to the community vowing to be better while stating they are working on improving staffing levels. The next day Muscle Maker Grill and Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill, both had windows shattered and a suspect who made entry into the businesses and burglarized.
The Antioch Police Department confirmed Wednesday that they only have 30 patrol officers available currently due to staffing shortages while the department sits at 78 active officers total. Here is a look at historical context of officers.
- 2023: 115,000 residents w/78 officers
- 2022: 115,000 residents w/102 officers (October)
- 2020: 115,000 residents w/115 officers (May 18 Facebook Post)
- 2013 -107,000 residents w/ 88 officers
- 2012: 103,000 residents w/80 officers
Antioch Council Agreed to Develop Downtown Private Security Plan
Back at the December 13, 2022 Antioch City Council meeting, they voted to adopt a comprehensive Downtown/Rivertown Parking Lot and Security Plan in a 5-0 vote.
Although no timelines were provided, it was the first step towards hiring private security downtown and for city-owned parking lots. Staff was tasked under the city manager to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
The item was placed on the agenda after over the last few months, Downtown/Rivertown business owners have experienced an increased in criminal activities either on or near city-owned public parking lots.
According to the City of Antioch website, the RFQ response was due on February 8, 2023. The recommendation to the city council is expected at the February 28 meeting.
5 comments
2020: 115 officers
2022: 102 officers (October)
2023: 78 officers in a matter of months is pathetic!
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Private security ?
Council should be getting to the bottom of WHY so many officers are baling, IF they have that ability.
Quit woke liberal posturing, building resume for higher office and clean up the mess that Antioch has become.
Those in charge who can not keep citizens and businesses SAFE should be shown the door regardless of job title.
Woke 😂 go back to yelling at your TV!
Why dont you assholes with all the solutions go sign up to be cops?
Downtown Private Security Plan……as read above would only benefit downtown businesses simply because these businesses are near a city parking lot? And this would be on our dollar? And what about all the other businesses in town that have been burglarized but are NOT downtown? They don’t receive this benefit? Just trying to understand…..
I think it is safe to say is that don’t want to work for the mayor, it is as simple as that. Lamar and Con would be the first ones to condemn an officer. You can tell by the way Lamar talks about law enforcement that doesn’t give a damn about them personally.
It’s pretty sad that Antioch has to resort to private security for the downtown area. A decent city that prioritizes its businesses and gives us all what we pay taxes for. Pardon me, but WTH happened to Prop W and Prop C moneys? 30 officers? 30???
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