March 3 Brentwood resident Randolph Rico, 59, was arrested as the result of a joint investigation by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Antioch and Brentwood. Rico is being held on $1,750,000 bail. From October of 2008 to January of 2009, Rico made random phone calls to children under the age of 14 in Brentwood, Antioch and Tracy. A total of four victims are known to the police. Rico’s identity was discovered during the investigation by the use of a phone trace on a victim’s phone. During an interview with Rico, he admitted to making the phone calls. Rico has a history of child molestation and is a registered sex offender. He is being charged with multiple counts of child molestation. Those with information regarding this case should contact Antioch Police Detective Robert Green at 925-779-6932.

March 8 On Feb. 25, 5:52 p.m., Antioch Police patrol units responded to the report of a bank robbery at the Metro One Credit Union. An extensive search of the area was conducted, augmented by a police canine and air support. Although the suspects were not located, a glove believed to have belonged to one of the suspects was found in the rear of the bank, and a packet of $20,000 dollars in a nearby yard. Bank personnel stated that two men wearing black clothing, including ski-type masks, entered the bank armed with handguns and fled with approximately $74,000 dollars. Antioch Police detectives, with the assistance of the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and Pittsburg Police, conducted an investigation and obtained search and arrest warrants for armed robbery and conspiracy for 21-year-old Angelo Leyesa and 20-year-old Daniel Ramsey, who was a teller at the bank. On March 8, the search and arrest warrants were served at Ramsey’s home in Pittsburg and Leyesa’s residence in Antioch. Both subjects were arrested without incident. Based on evidence and information obtained in interviews with these suspects, search and arrest warrants were obtained for accomplices 18-year-old Shannon Sorrell, 19-year-old Jarett Sermeno and 18-year-old Kevin Taylor. To date, investigators have located approximately $22,000 dollars of the $54,000 that is still outstanding. It was learned that the suspects spent several thousands of dollars on a car, a gold grill, stereo equipment , alcohol, marijuana, motorcycle parts, clothing and bills and debts. Those with further information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Castillo at 925-779-6933.

March 15, 2:40 p.m. A vehicle was traveling eastbound on Wilbur Avenue east of Apollo Court when the driver, a 44-year-old male Antioch resident, lost control, crashed through the railing and went over the side of the bridge, landing on the railroad tracks below. The driver (and sole occupant) of the vehicle died of his injuries. The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit is currently investigating the accident and will not be releasing the name of the driver until next of kin has been notified.

March 24, 2:43 p.m. A 1994 Honda Civic, originally reported to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office as stolen, was spotted at G Street and Madill. The vehicle, which fled onto A Street and then onto State Route 4, was pursued into Pittsburg and then back into Antioch. Near the Antioch city limits on the Pittsburg/Antioch Highway, the vehicle became disabled. As the driver made another turn, he intentionally rammed a marked Antioch police car. Shortly after the collision, the vehicle stopped and the driver, 27-year-old Antioch resident Richard Dominguez, was arrested. The officer was not injured. It was discovered that Dominguez had prior arrests for auto theft and was wanted on a parole warrant. He was charged with auto theft, felony evading, assault on a police officer and other charges, and was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. No other collisions or injuries related to the pursuit were reported.

March 26, 7:25 p.m. The Antioch Police Department responded to numerous 911 calls of a house fire in the 1700 block of Linden Way. Upon arrival, officers found the garage and front area of the residence engulfed in flames. Neighbors in the area told officers that the family might be home. Officers were unable to approach the residence from the front due to the fire and began evacuating surrounding households. While doing so, officers saw a family of four trying to climb over the back fence of the house that was on fire. Officers broke out several fence boards and assisted with the family’s evacuation. It was at this time they discovered the adult male resident was badly burned on his legs and hands. He was flown to the nearest burn center at UC Davis and is expected to survive. The resident told officers the fire started when he was trying to light a barbecue near the house with a flammable liquid. The substance ignited on him and then the house.

For information on law enforcement in Antioch, visit the Antioch Police Department Web site.