Antioch Police Arrest Two Suspects in Connection With Hate Crime

On Tuesday, the Antioch Police Department announced the arrest of two people in connection with a hate crime that occurred at an Antioch home on September 7.

Through investigative leads, Investigators from the Antioch Police Department and in cooperation with Contra Costa County Fire Arson Investigators, two suspects developed early on in the investigation, explained Chief Allan Cantando.

On 9/8/16, Roy Charles Sorvari (27 years old) from Antioch and Christyne Gail McDaniel (25 years old) from Brentwood were both arrested for this incident after being interviewed by Investigators at the Antioch Police Department.

“It is believed that there was a dispute between one person at the victims’ residence and a relative of McDaniel that led up to Sorvari and McDaniel committing these crimes. This appears to be an isolated incident and not a random act of violence,” said Cantando.

Cantando further highlighted that on 9/13/16 this case was presented to the Office of the District Attorney and charges of Conspiracy to commit-murder, mayhem, torture, assault with a deadly weapon as well as a charge of arson were filed against both Sorvari and McDaniel. They were also charged with hate crimes enhancements.

Both are being held in the Contra Costa County Jail with a bail amount of $1,290,000.

He also thanked the Mayor, the City Council and local members of the NAACP for “backing off” during the investigation to allow police to investigate without interruption.

Sept. 8 Press Release (original)

On September 7 at approximately 3:12 am, the Antioch Police Department received a call of a house fire at a residence in the 5100 block of McCormick Court.

Officers determined that an unknown responsible spray painted a racial slur and a swastika on the victim’s residence.

The responsible also threw Molotov cocktails at the residence, catching the roof and bushes on fire. Damage to the residence was minimal and no one was injured.

The case is still under investigation and no other information was provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH

11:15 am Update

Information provided by Chief Allan Cantando and Contra Costa County Fire investigator Vic Massenkoff.

The Antioch Police Department is treating this incident extremely serious,” said Cantando. “The members of this police department including myself and community are appalled and disgusted by this incident. Currently we have multiple investigators assigned and working with Contra Costa Fire.”

This morning, Cantando says he visited the family and said he was sorry. He further explained to the family that the city of Antioch will be putting a lot of resources to putting the perpetrators to justice.

“This is a case we are going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” said Cantando.

Police are currently looking into whether or not the home was targeted. They are also looking for more surveillance from neighboring cameras in the area.

According to the homeowner, she described the male as a Caucasian male

Vic Massenkoff, fire investigator said the fire had major deadly potential.

“First off, the fire was set in the middle of the night when the occupants are sound asleep. So the detection of the fire would be delayed creating greater danger. The Molotov cocktails was an ignitable substance similar to gasoline were ignited in a way that the potential intent was to block any emergency egress by the occupants,” explained Massenkoff. “Several devices were deployed against the house at the front door, second story bedroom and near the garage door. Fortunately the occupants woke up and took action using water from the home, garden hose to quickly control part of the fire.”

Massenkoff said there was damage to the structure and the potential for a deadly outcome was very high. He called the incident intentional.

“The homeowners were extremely lucky in this horrible crime. It’s a very fortunate family,” said Massenkoff saying the responsible could face attempted murder charges.

Cantando says its been a long time since the city of Antioch has experienced a hate crime calling this morning’s incident the first one in a while that he could remember. Inside the home were 3-adults and 4-young children under 7-years-old.

When asked if the community should be worried if this could happen to other minority families. Cantando explained that he believed it was an isolated incident and that he has already reached out to the NAACP alerting them to the incident—he says they were grateful.

“These incidents can happen in any community and we are putting a lot of resources to bringing the perpetrator to justice,” says Cantando who is treating it as a hate crime.

Check back for updates.