Antioch police make 8 arrests in 4-hour anti-violence operation

(KRON) -- A gun violence suppression effort in Antioch on Friday night resulted in over half a dozen arrests and two stolen firearms recovered, the Antioch Police Department announced Saturday. The operation comes as the city faced a deadly string of gang-related shootings last month.

Within a four-hour span, police said officers conducted 25 traffic stops. Drugs such as methamphetamine were confiscated in the operation, and one pound of marijuana was seized. Four vehicles were towed and there was one stolen vehicle arrest made.

In all, Antioch police made eight felony arrests and recovered two stolen firearms, according to law enforcement.

The department recently launched gun violence suppression teams of officers who are paired in patrol cars and focus on “areas most impacted by gun violence,” Antioch PD said. “The families in this community deserve peace, and we are resolute in restoring safety and order here.”

In September, there were at least 14 shootings reported in the city following the shooting death of 21-year-old Elijah Scales. Police said that most of the additional shootings were gang-related and in retaliation for Scales’ death.

Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe at the time considered street closures and asking the California National Guard for assistance. At the same time, Interim Police Chief Brian Addington said staffing would be rearranged and officers would be assigned to patrol the Sycamore Corridor.

The Kensington Police Department assisted Antioch police in Friday's operation.