By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, March 18, 2016 at 4:22 p.m. Antioch Police were dispatched to the 2200 block of Belle Court after a man called police and said he had discovered his ex-wife, Cheryl White, age 50 of Pittsburg, deceased in the trunk of his car. Officers responded and confirmed this to be the case. The car was a green, 1992 Toyota Camry.

Due to the suspicious nature of the death, investigators were called in to take over the investigation. The man reporting this stayed on scene and was cooperative. He was brought to APD and interviewed.

According to him, he originally left her to sleep in the passenger compartment at about 3:00 a.m. after they had used some drugs together. He knew White had moved to the trunk to sleep as he had checked on her at about 12:30 p.m. and she was then in the trunk of the car. She was fine at that time, but wanted to continue to sleep so he left her alone. He told investigators she had done this (slept in the trunk) on occasions in the past and that she likes to sleep in there because she felt safe and won’t get harassed.

There were no immediate signs of foul play visible on White and her ex-husband was not arrested. An autopsy performed Monday (3/21/16) did not reveal any obvious cause of death. Further testing is being done in an attempt to determine the cause. Those results could take weeks, at the least. Once all reports are in, this case will be sent to the Office of the District Attorney for review.

No other information will be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Antioch Police Detective Dee at (925) 779-6884. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Chief Allan Cantando, center, with the four Antioch Police Department employees promoted in February. (Left to Right) Corporal Gary Lowther, Lieutenant Trevor Schnitzius, (Chief Cantando), Sergeant Rick Martin, and Lead Dispatcher Korina Meads. photo courtesy of APD

By Allen Payton

During a ceremony on February 24th, the Antioch Police Department promoted four of their own to new positions. Following are the four with their new positions, with information provided by the APD:

Lieutenant Trevor Schnitzius graduated from Cal State Sacramento in 1997. He attended the Criminal Justice Training Center Police Academy, where Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando was his RTO. In May, 1998, Schnitzius was hired as a Police Officer with the APD. Throughout his employment he has worked a variety of assignments, including Driving Instructor, CPR/First Aid Training Instructor, Sexual Assault/ChildAbuse/Sex Offender/Missing Person Detective, Property Crimes Detective, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Department Armorer and Explorer Advisor.

Lt. Schnitzius was promoted to Polie Corporal in July, 208 and to Police Sergeant in September, 2012.

He has been married to his wife Leah for 16 years and they have two sons.

Sergeant Richard “Rick” Martin graduated from the Los Medanos Police Academy in 1996. In 1996 he was hired by the San Rafael Police Department and worked there until 2001. While working for the San Rafael PD, Martin worked a variety of assignments including patrol, Field Training Officer, narcotics, was a Detective and a member of SWAT.

He was hired by the APD in 2001 and assigned as a patrol officer and Field Training Officer. Martin returned to the San Rafael PD and worked there from 2002 to 2005. He came back to APD in 2005 and has been here, since, working in patrol and the traffic division.

In January, 2015 Martin was promoted to Corporal working in patrol.

In March, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management.

Martin has been married for 19 years and has two sons, one graduating high school, this year.

Corporal Gary Lowther was born and raised in Union City, California and graduated from James Logan High School in 1999. After high school he attended Ohlone College in Fremont and subsequently earned an NCAA Division 1 baseball scholarship to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in 2001. While at Old Dominion, Lowther met his wife Carinda, who was a meber of the university swim team. He graduated in 2004 with a B.S. degree in Communications.

Lowther returned to California in July, 2004 and worked for a Budweiser distribution company while searching for a career in law enforcement. He was hired by the APD in 2005, who sponsored him through the 130^th Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Basic Police Academy. While in the academy, Lowther was fortunate enough to be allowed a half day off to get married. He has been married for 10 years and has two boys.

He was sworn in as an Antioch Police Officer in January, 2006. In 2008, Lowther was appointed to the SWAT and has been a member since. He was appointed to the sniper team in 2010.

Lowther has worked as a Field Training Officer and was transferred to the Investigation Bureau in 2013, where he was responsible for investigations pertaining to AB 109 and Post Release Community Supervision. He spent the last 18 months with the Investigations Bureau as a Narcotics Detective. In 2015, Lowther was appointed as a Firearms Instructor.

Lead Police Dispatcher Korina Meads was hired by the APD as an entry-level Police Dispatcher in July, 2005. She was a Communications Training Officer in January, 2013. Meads worked as an acting Lead Police Dispatcher prior to being selected as Lead Dispatcher. In February of this year, she was appointed as a SWAT Technical Dispatcher.

Meads has been together with Powell Meads for 10 years and they have been married for two-and-a-half years. They have three children.

Congratulations to these four police personnel on their promotions.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 8:03 p.m., Antioch Police Officers and Medical Personnel responded to the area of Banyan Way for the report of a subject who had just been shot. Officers arrived on scene and found a single teenage victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was alert and awake and transported to an area hospital for treatment.

No further information will be released at this time.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Culberson with gun, ammunition, drugs and money found in his vehicle and home.

By Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Special Operations Unit

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at approximately 9:20 pm, an Antioch Police Department Patrol Officer conducted a traffic stop on 41 year old Deon Culberson for a traffic violation. Culberson was found to be in possession of a loaded and concealed firearm. Culberson was determined to be a previously convicted felon and was therefore prohibited from owning and or possessing a firearm. He was arrested and sent to the Martinez County Detention Facility.

Then, on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at approximately 10:00 am, an Antioch Police Department Patrol Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Culberson for traffic violations in the area of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue. Culberson fled in his vehicle and led the officer on a vehicle pursuit through a residential neighborhood. Culberson jumped out of his vehicle on a residential street and led the officer on a foot pursuit. The officer quickly caught up with Culberson and attempted to take him into custody. Culberson fought with the officer, but was subdued and taken into custody. Culberson was arrested for the vehicle pursuit.

The Antioch Police Department Special Operations Unit obtained a search warrant for Culberson’s home and his vehicles. The detectives served the search warrant at Culberson’s house on Dali Court in the City of Oakley. The detectives located a large amount of cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a large amount of cash and ammunition for various caliber firearms. The detectives also located evidence that the drugs were possessed for the purpose of sales. At 2:00 p.m. Culberson was again sent to the Martinez County Detention Facility.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Brogdon with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6895.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On, Monday, March 14, 2016, at 12:08 p.m., Antioch Police Officers responded to JC Penney for the report of a shoplifter in custody who had fought with plain clothed Loss Prevention (LP) Personnel. LP Officers had observed a subject, later identified as 58-year-old Antioch resident Tony Cotton enter into the store and begin placing clothing into a back pack. He was contacted outside of the store by LP Officers when he exited without paying for the merchandise.

They identified themselves and Cotton refused to return to the store. A struggle began when LP Officers attempted to arrest him. During the struggle, Cotton produced a box cutter and assaulted both LP Officers. Cotton was secured in handcuffs and brought back into the store. All merchandise was recovered.

Both LP Officers suffered minor injuries as a result of this incident. Both had minor lacerations and only one required further medical attention. Cotton suffered no injuries and was booked at the Antioch Police Department on felony charges. He was later transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Special Operations Unit

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at approximately 11:00 pm, the Antioch Police Department received numerous calls reporting gunshots heard in the 4900 block of Willowbrook Way. Officers responded to the reports and located a 46-year-old man bleeding from a gunshot wound to his chest.

The officers began treating the injured man and requested paramedics respond to assist. The man was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for medical treatment. Witness statements informed the officers of a suspicious vehicle driving through the neighborhood at the same time of the shooting. The officers located the suspicious vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on it. The vehicle’s occupants, 28-year-old Steven Clark and 32-year-old Darnell Williams were contacted and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Clark and Williams were both arrested for the firearm. It was later determined through speaking with the victim that Clark and Williams were not responsible for shooting the victim.

At the time of this writing, the suspect description is vauge. The victim was treated at an area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the chest.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Kris Dee with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6884. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Retired Antioch Police Captain Leonard Orman walks out of the Antioch Police Facility on his final day, past fellow officers and staff. photo courtesy of APD

By Allen Payton

On December 14, 2015 after 30 years and six months with the Antioch Police Department, Captain Leonard Orman retired and the next day was given a farewell by fellow officers, APD staff and Police Chief Allan Cantando.

Born in Antioch, Orman worked at Silveira Lumber in during high school and while attending Los Medanos College. That’s when he got hired by the APD. He later completed his bachelor’s at St. Mary’s College in 1998.

Orman receives a big, farewell hug from longtime friend and fellow officer, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando. photo courtesy of APD

When asked what was his most memorable case, he shared, “Probably the Scott Duval murder case, who killed his wife and said she was a missing person.”

“It was a lot of legwork and strategy because he was a highly intelligent guy,” Orman stated. “We finally got him to confess that he had killed his wife, cut her up and spread her around the Delta. It’s one of those cases you feel good about solving, with a true victim.”

Asked about his favorite memory, Orman spoke about the department.

“Above and beyond the police work and working cases, having been there on the command staff during the recession, which was really tough. The whole community suffered from that,” he said. “What people don’t recognize is a lot of organizations tend to implode during something like that. I’m really proud of the fact that didn’t happen. Lots of people left but, most hung in there, working overtime, including records, dispatch, management. There was nobody who wasn’t suffering. I wasn’t sure how much longer we could sustain that. Things are much better, now.”

“We did a ton of succession planning during that time,” Orman continued. “It was a group effort and the reality is that the day after I left, Diane Aguinaga got promoted. That usually doesn’t happen that smoothly. To leave like that and have it be fluid, that was the leadership, across the board. I left there with a smile on my face, feeling good with where the organization was. That was what made me feel the best.”

He served under five police chiefs.

“I will say that they were all great chiefs in their time. Antioch’s been really fortunate. To have chiefs who stay five years or longer is pretty good. It’s a lot of stability.”

He’s married with three children and when asked what he’s doing with all his free time, he said “I’m taking some time off. Doing a lot of traveling. More than my wife is used to, with her and our children. But, I plan on going back to work on some level.”

By Sgt. Rick Martin #3343, Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, March 10, 2016, at approximately 6:57 AM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the intersection of Cavallo Road and East 13th Street on a report of a vehicle vs. bicyclist collision. Upon arrival, Officers located the bicyclist, a 50 year old male Antioch resident with multiple injuries.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. The driver did not have any injuries and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Paramedics arrived on scene. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital via Cal Star helicopter.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441 or Sgt. Rick Martin at (925) 779-6900 ext. 83343. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.