Antioch: Suspicious Package Left by Disgruntled Employee Prompts Bomb Squad Response

At around 5:30 pm Monday, Antioch Police responded to the area of Wilbur Ave and Apollo Ct in the City of Antioch on a report of a suspicious package.

According to preliminary information, police received a report that a disgruntled employee left a suspicious package believed to be an explosive device at the business. Upon leaving, police located the suspect and pulled him over and took him into custody near the Tri Delta Transit building.

Police were able to locate the item and for safety reasons, shut down Apollo Ct and secured a perimeter to investigate the threat level. Ultimately, a BART Police K9 unit was requested to the scene along with the Walnut Creek Police Bomb Squad Unit.

As of 8:52 pm, units were still on scene. Check back for updates.

UPDATE: Antioch Police Press Release

On 7/20/2020, at approximately 5:47 PM, Antioch PD officers were dispatched to a business in the 1000 block of Apollo Ct. An employee inside the business was reporting that a former employee, who was recently fired, was on scene and in possession of a possible explosive device.

Prior to Antioch PD Officers arriving, it was reported the responsible left the device in front of the business and left in a vehicle. Arriving officers located the responsible vehicle as it was driving away from the scene. An enforcement stop was conducted, and the sole vehicle occupant was detained without incident. He was identified as Timothy Harrington (50 years old) of Pittsburg, CA.

The object Harrington left in front of the business was located by officers and did in fact appear to be a homemade explosive.

The assistance of the Walnut Creek Bomb Squad was requested, and they responded to the scene. The Bomb Squad was eventually able to recover and render the device safe. The device was determined to be a live, homemade destructive/explosive device.

Harrington was arrested for possession of the explosive device and violation of the terms of his felony probation. A search of his vehicle yielded other materials related to the manufacturing of explosives.

A follow-up search was conducted at his residence in Pittsburg, but no other evidence pertaining to this case was located.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.