Police accuse pair of crime spree through Antioch

A young adult and a juvenile riding together in a red minivan were arrested in Antioch for using a BB gun, baseball bat, pipe and a brick in separate incidents, police said.

Police Cmdr. James Ruth announced Wednesday that Travis Malott, 19, of the 2600 block of Elisha Ave. in Zion, was charged with aggravated assault, attempted mob action and unlawful use of weapon. Malott is free on bond.

Ruth said the 16-year-old boy who was a passenger in Malott's minivan was referred to Lake County juvenile authorities on charges of attempted mob action, aggravated assault, unlawful use of weapon, criminal damage to property, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Antioch police were first called to Williams Park late Tuesday afternoon, where they say Malott and the boy drove around a lot and threatened a group by displaying the gun, bat and pipe. Malott drove off before police arrived.

"They had an issue with some of the guys that were supposed to be at the park," Ruth said.

While police were busy at Williams Park, Ruth said, Malott became involved in a traffic altercation with another driver and pointed the BB gun at him at Main and Lake streets. Authorities were summoned to that intersection.

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old fled the minivan and wound up in the 900 block of Main Street, said Ruth. Cops were called to that location on a report of the juvenile hurling a brick through a moving car's rear window as part of a possible gang fight.

Police investigators determined the incidents in the park and in the 900 block of Main Street were related. Ruth said the BB gun was recovered.