Multi-agency effort in Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley

By Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Antioch Police Department hosted a Vehicle Theft Suppression and Enforcement Team (VSET) operation involving the cities of Antioch, Pittsburg and Oakley. The operation brought together 65 officers from 12 law enforcement agencies across Contra Costa County, including the CHP Contra Costa and Contra Costa County Probation Department.

As a result of the coordinated enforcement effort, officers conducted 112 enforcement stops, leading to:

• 6 felony arrests

• Recovery of 4 illegal firearms

• 22 citations issued

• Arrest of three subjects following a pursuit of a vehicle wanted in connection with felony charges

• Recovery of an occupied stolen vehicle and the arrest of its occupant

• Recovery of 5 abandoned stolen vehicles

• 9 vehicles impounded

In addition to enforcement activities, officers partnered with Contra Costa County Probation to conduct probation searches at 11 locations and worked alongside CHP on a business inspection.

This operation highlights the effectiveness of regional collaboration in addressing crime, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life throughout our communities. We thank all participating agencies for their commitment and teamwork in making this operation a success.

48-year-old Concord man with history of arrests died from injuries sustained in beating near Antioch waterfront

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The Antioch Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the driver of the vehicle pictured above in connection with an ongoing investigation related to an incident that occurred on March 13, 2026.

Investigators would like to speak with this individual to obtain additional information and better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.

As previously reported, on Friday, March 13th at 5:42 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 700 block of W. 1st Street for a report of a physical fight in progress.

UPDATE 1: The 48-year-old victim, later identified as Leon Belcher of Concord, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He never regained consciousness and was removed from life support on March 21, 2026.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau is actively investigating this incident.

Anyone who recognizes the driver or has information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact Detective Jeong at (925) 779-6933 or jjeong@antiochca.gov.

UPDATE 2: According to localcrimenews.com, he was White and five-feet, 11 inches tall, with a history of arrests dating back to 2014, including just nine days before on March 4th in Solano County for driving without a license suspended for drunk driving. His previous arrests were for crimes including assault, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, false imprisonment by violence, cruelty to a child by inflicting injury and child endangerment.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds to pay for Belcher’s cremation. According to Nicole Mathews, who set up the page, “Leon Belcher was the loving father of Cameron and Michael Belcher. He lived life with a carefree spirit, always ready for a fishing trip or a ride on his Harley. Leon was surrounded by many friends who loved him dearly, and he brought joy and adventure to everyone who knew him.

“On March 13th, Leon suffered a tragic injury in Antioch, California, when he was struck in the head. He was placed on life support at the hospital, and after a difficult week, his two sons made the heartbreaking decision to take him off life support on March 21st.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, officers with the Antioch Police Community Engagement Team responded to a report of an unhoused individual trespassing on private property. When Officers Riosbaas and Shipilov arrived, they made contact with a young man named Harry. During their conversation with Harry, he explained that he had been experiencing homelessness for an extended period of time and was making efforts to obtain employment, so he could afford housing and transportation, but had been unsuccessful so far despite applying to several local businesses.

Officers used their contacts with Mena, the owner of 7-Eleven on Sunset Lane and Davison Drive, and gave Mena Harry’s contact information. Within 15 minutes Mena called Harry and set up a job interview while officers Riosbaas and Shipilov were still on scene. Harry was extremely grateful for the opportunity! Officers gave Harry some pointers for the interview and he aced it! Harry was hired and his first day of work was April 26, 2026.

Officers Riosbaas and Shipilov checked in on Harry on Tuesday, April 28 to congratulate him on his success and took the opportunity to pose with him and Mena.

These are the contacts that make a difference in our community. At the Antioch Police Department, our Community Engagement Team is committed to more than just enforcement. They’re here to build relationships, connect people with resources, and help create pathways to success.

This is just one example of how collaboration, compassion, and proactive policing can positively impact lives. We would like to thank Mena for being willing to give Harry an opportunity, and we wish Harry continued success in this next chapter.

By City of Antioch

Join us for a community meeting with the Antioch Police Department on Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.

During the meeting, we will share updates and discuss issues or concerns affecting the community. This is an opportunity to ask questions, receive helpful information and engage directly with your Police Department.

For those attending, please note:

– Enter through the Parish Hall entrance

– Park in the nearby lot as shown in the attached location photos

– Please do not enter through the main church entrance

We encourage all interested community members to attend.

To contact the Antioch Police Department call (925) 779-6900 and to learn more visit www.antiochca.gov/186/Police-Department.

By Acting Sgt. John Cox #5705, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Wanted by Antioch Police for the February fatal shooting of a 20-year-old woman in Antioch, 21-year-old Zahvon Hopson was arrested on Friday, April 10, 2026, by San Diego Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. Antioch Police Department would like to thank our partners at San Diego Police Department for their assistance in apprehending this dangerous individual.

The case is expected to be filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later next week.

The Investigations Bureau will provide additional updates as they become available.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Shaffer at (925) 779-6944 or via email at cshaffer@antiochca.gov.

Chosen by classmates to speak at graduation

By Allen D. Payton

In an April 7th, 2026 post on their Facebook page, the Antioch Police Department wrote, “We are proud to congratulate Acting Lieutenant Gary Lowther on his recent graduation from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) after completing the program’s rigorous eight-month long course. This program continues to train new leaders while they learn and collaborate with some of the most experienced law enforcement innovators. Acting Lt. Lowther was honored to be chosen by his peers to be a speaker at the SLI graduation.

Congrats Gary on the accomplishment and we’re excited to watch your career continue to grow!”

California Law Enforcement Officers who hold the rank of Sergeant are the individuals who get to attend this program.

Antioch PD Captain Matt Koch said the graduation was held in Folsom on April 3rd and offered additional details about the program saying, “SLI is an eight-month leadership course, one week a month for eight months. It focuses on adaptive leadership and culture shifts.”

The institute is part of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training, known as POST.

“According to POST’s website, The Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI) is a program designed to stimulate personal growth, leadership, and ethical decision-making in California law enforcement front-line supervisors. Designed and implemented in 1988 through the efforts of California law enforcement professionals and top educators and trainers, the SBSLI is an intense program based on experiential learning techniques. Students are challenged to learn new ways to resolve issues through group and individual work.

“The curriculum takes students through an analysis of management (planning, organizing, directing, etc.) and leadership (inspiring, challenging, developing, etc.) and how each discipline compliments the other. The course progresses from self-evaluation, to interpersonal evaluation, to organizational relationships.

“Graduates of SLI have the ability to earn college credit upon completion of the program through CSULB’s College of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE)(external link).

“During the program, a typical successful student develops the ability to:

• Correlate the relationship between personal and organizational principles and values
• Exercise greater leadership in personal and professional activities
• Increase personal influence with individuals and groups to accomplish organizational goals
• Analyze issues from multiple perspectives
• Develop increased self-confidence and confidence in the ability of others
• Provide support and development for peers and subordinates
• Recognize and address areas for personal improvement
• Effectively integrate management skills and leadership qualities

“A typical successful student is willing to learn, open to new ideas, and able to engage in deep self-examination of values and beliefs. The program is not a ‘how-to’ course and should not be viewed as a fix for problem individuals. The curriculum provides a forum for personal growth and development of qualities necessary for effective public safety leadership.”

The institute was named for Sherman Block, the 29th Sheriff of Los Angeles County. According to his Wikipedia page, he served from 1982 until his death in 1998, during his campaign for re-election, which he was expected to win, following a 42-year career.

Gave back money plus “a dollar extra”

“He probably just wanted a place to eat and sleep.” – Raley’s employee

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department

On Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:06 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the US Bank located inside the Raley’s supermarket at 3636 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

According to reports, the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Pittsburg resident Gerald Anthony Oretger, entered the bank and passed a handwritten note to a teller demanding money. The teller complied and provided cash. Oretger briefly left the bank but returned shortly afterward and voluntarily returned the money to the teller. A security guard on the premises detained Oretger.

According to a store employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The guy walked into the store handed a note to the teller. There was no gun. He asked the security guard to arrest and handcuff him. But the guard said he had no handcuffs. He probably just wanted a place to eat and sleep. He actually gave the money back to the bank and gave them a dollar extra.”

When officers arrived and attempted to take Oretger into custody, he began striking, spitting on and kicking multiple officers. He also attempted to grab an officer’s service weapon. Oretger was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation prior to booking.

No bank employees, customers or officers sustained serious injuries during the incident.

Oretger will be booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges:

1. Robbery — California Penal Code Section 211 (Felony)

2. First-Degree Burglary — California Penal Code Section 460(a) (Felony)

3. Attempting to Remove a Firearm from a Peace Officer — California Penal Code Section 148(d) (Felony)

4. Battery on a Peace Officer — California Penal Code Section 243(b) (Misdemeanor)

The Antioch Police Department thanks the public, as well as the employees of US Bank and Raley’s, for their cooperation during the response.

According to localcrimenews.com, Oretger was previously arrested twice in 2016 by Pittsburg Police for resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer and for an outstanding warrant.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this arrest.