A known heckler of the Antioch City Council was placed under a citizens arrest by the Antioch Police Department for allegedly pointing a laser pointer at a victim within the city hall council chambers.
A victim is accusing John Trizuto, on November 28, of harassing staff and pointing a laser into the eyes of a victim. Trizuto then left the city council meeting, and was not arrested until January 30, 2024.
According to a public records request, which was placed February 1, Antioch Police did not release the information until February 14.
23-009054:
On 11/28/23 at 17:47 hours, officers responded to City Hall Council Chambers on reports of a subject harassing staff and pointing a laser pointer into the eyes of the Victim. Upon arrival, the suspect was gone.
On 1/30/24 at 18:11 officers were notified that the same subject was in front of 213 F St, where a special council meeting was to be held. Upon arrival, John Trizuto was taken into custody on a Citizen’s Arrest for 417.25(A) due to the incident that occurred on 11/28/23. Trizuto was transported to the county jail where he was cited and released on a Promise To Appear.
The report did not provide who the victim was, however, sources say Trizuto allegedly pointed the laser pointer in the direction of City Manager Kwame Reed and City Attorney Thomas Smith. Meanwhile, Antioch Records Supervisor Amanda Nelson confirmed acting police chief Joe Vigil was the arresting officer.
Trizuto said Wednesday morning he maintains his innocence and looks forward to disproving the accusations by the City of Antioch and looks forward to presenting his evidence. He did not say anything more on the incident.
It’s unclear if this incident was used in retaliation to Trizuto speaking out against the city council or communicating with county officials regarding Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe’s actions and possible breaking the terms of his probation. Trizuto, who is not pleased with the direction the City of Antioch is headed, provided a series of correspondence where he expressed concerns since July 2020 through January 2024 over the following:
- Councils use of electronic devices during meetings/voting
- Alleged city attorney accused him of being a racist
- expressed concerns over the Antioch budget/finances.
- Questioned $314k in payments to outside attorney’s–public records request denied citing client privilege.
- Reached out to District Attorney’s Office alleging Brown Act Violations several times
- Alleges the Mayor did not allow him to speak during public comments on Jan 13, 2023.
- Issued a complaint of Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe blocking constituents on social media.
- Alleges Hernandez-Thorpe violated his probation by challenging an Antioch Citizen to a fight while on the dais.
In reviewing the meeting of November 28 city council meeting, there is no video evidence on the city website that shows Trizuto pointing the laser pointer in the direction of staff or anyone in the audience.
However, Trizuto appeared agitated during the meeting and demanded 9-minutes to speak before closed session began. He was warned by Hernandez-Thorpe he could be removed from the meeting if he continued with his behavior. The council directed staff to continue the meeting and they spoke over Trizuto who was at the podium and continued to speak–the council then adjured into closed session.
Trizuto frequently offers public comments at Antioch City Council meetings while also responds to social media postings by Antioch City Councilmembers.
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