Driver on parole for homicide, has history of 22 other arrests; both adult brothers already out of custody

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police, “while on patrol in the area, Officer Drace conducted a traffic stop on Lemontree Way at L Street after observing a Honda with multiple Vehicle Code violations.

During the stop, officers learned the driver was on active parole for homicide. A parole search of the vehicle was conducted, but initially, nothing was found.

“K9 Officer Loki, a firearm-detection K9, responded to the scene.

“Loki was deployed for an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the driver-side front floorboard, indicating the possible presence of a firearm.

“Officers conducted a secondary search of the area. After removing the floor carpet, officers located a stolen, concealed, loaded firearm equipped with an extended magazine.

“The driver was arrested and booked into county jail.

“Great work by our officers and K9 Loki!”

In addition, the male adult driver and his two male passengers, one his adult brother, and the other a juvenile, were also arrested.

According to the Antioch Police Department’s CitizenRIMS Crime Map, the stop and arrests occurred on Sept. 27, 2026, at 3:02 PM.

According to Lt. Bill Whitaker, “Three people were arrested, all Oakland residents. The third was a juvenile with a different last name.”

The two adult males are Joshua Jermaine Richard, age 20, described as five-feet, seven inches tall, 120-pounds, and his brother, 27-year-old Jeremiah Prince Roland Richard, described as five-feet, six inches tall and 165-pounds. Both are listed as Black or African American.

Joshua’s crime is listed as felony 25850(A) PC carrying a loaded firearm in public under specific circumstances and he’s also charged with 25400(a)(1) Pc: Carry Concealed Weapon In Vehicle (F), 496(a) Pc: Receive/etc Known Stolen Property (F), 32310(c) Pc: Large Capacity Magazine Posession, 11357(a)(2) Hs: Possession Less Than 28.5 Grams Mj Or 4 Grams Cannabis By 18-20 Yr Old, 30305(A)(1) PC: felon in possession of ammunition, and 29610(A) PC: minor in possession of a firearm.

Jeremiah is charged with 25850(a) Pc: Carry Loaded Firearm In Public Under Specific Circumstances (F), 25400(a)(1) Pc: Carry Concealed Weapon In Vehicle (F), 496(a) Pc: Receive/etc Known Stolen Property (F), 29800(a)(1) Pc: Felon/addict/possess/etc Firearm (F), 30305(a)(1) Pc: Prohibited Person Own/possess/etc Ammunition/etc (F)

Case Number: 26-9270  Incident Number:2609270098.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Sep 30th at 7:51 PM, Joshua is out of custody with no charges filed. According to localcrimenews.com, Joshua is a resident of Emeryville and this is his first arrest.

According to localcrimenews.com, Jeremiah was also charged with  3056, Violation Parole: Felony and 466, Possession Of Burglar’s Tools. Jeremiah also has a history of 22 other arrests dating back to 2017

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Oct. 1st at 7:01 PM he is out of custody on General Release and according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as of Oct. 3rd at 8:08 AM, he is out of custody on parole.

Co-hosted by Antioch Police Department and Grace Bible Fellowship

Grace Bible Fellowship is located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. For more information visit www.gbfofantioch.org.

By Antioch Police Department

“I’m going to hang up and verify that.”

That’s a useful response when an unexpected caller pressures you for money or personal information.

Scammers can fake caller ID, use real officers’ names, and imitate a loved one’s voice. Knowing your name or address doesn’t make a caller legitimate.

The Antioch Police Department encourages residents to take these steps:

PAUSE BEFORE YOU PAY

• Hang up and contact the organization yourself. Use the number on your bank card, statement, or the agency’s official website—not a number supplied by the caller.

• Police will not demand gift cards or cryptocurrency to keep you from being arrested.

• Don’t transfer money to a “safe account” because a caller says your savings are at risk.

• Don’t share passwords or login verification codes, install an app, or give remote access to your device at an unexpected caller’s direction.

MAKE A FAMILY PLAN

Choose a private family code word for emergency calls. Keep it off social media. If someone claims a loved one needs money, contact that person independently—even if you recognize the voice. A code word adds protection; it doesn’t replace checking.

LET YOUR PHONE SCREEN CALLS

iPhone: Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Screen Unknown Callers. Where available, choose Ask Reason for Calling so unfamiliar callers explain why they’re calling before your phone rings. Choose Silence to send those calls to voicemail. Older software may instead offer Silence Unknown Callers.

Android: Open the Phone app → menu → Settings:

• Google Pixel: Look for Spam and Call Screen or Call Screen, then configure automatic screening.

• Google Phone app on other supported phones: Open Caller ID & spam and enable caller/spam identification plus Filter spam calls, if available.

• Samsung Galaxy: Enable Caller ID and spam protection, then Block spam and scam calls, if available.

Features vary by phone, software, and carrier. Save important contacts and check voicemail—doctors, schools, and police may call from unfamiliar numbers. Screening helps, but it doesn’t prove a caller is trustworthy.

PROTECT YOUR CREDIT AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Freeze your credit for free separately with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This helps prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name. You can temporarily lift a freeze when needed. Instructions and bureau links.

• Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication. Keep checking bank and card activity—a credit freeze doesn’t stop misuse of existing accounts.

Already paid or shared information? Act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider and ask whether the transaction can be stopped or reversed. Save messages, voicemails, and receipts.

• Identity-theft recovery: IdentityTheft.gov

• Report scams: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

• Antioch Police non-emergency: 925-778-2441

• Emergencies: 911

These scams are designed to be convincing. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from asking for help.

Share this post—and help someone you care about set up their phone protections.

“Developed by military experts, proven in combat zones, adapted for law enforcement.”

“Antioch is a true leader, here, in this space.” – Founder & CEO of EthiCards

By Antioch Police Department

Integrity in policing is built through continuous practice, open dialogue and a commitment to doing what is right every single day.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, Lt. Franco Cesar delivered a presentation to the Antioch City Council introducing EthiCards – an innovative, scenario-based ethics training program designed to engage officers across all ranks in regular, real-world ethical problem-solving. (See 1:57:00 mark of meeting video)

EthiCards moves beyond traditional classroom lectures, putting structured ethical dilemmas directly into daily briefings and roll calls to sharpen critical thinking, promote active bystandership, and reinforce procedural justice in the field.

Following the presentation, Founder and CEO of EthiCards, Bradley Strawser, a Professor of Military Ethics and Chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, honored Chief Vigil and the Antioch Police Department with the “Compass Leader in Ethical Culture” certificate. This award recognizes APD’s outstanding leadership in going above and beyond to prioritize ethics, accountability, and continuous professional development for our personnel.

Strawser told the City Council, “We started this program based on over a decade of research. Most ethics approaches within law enforcement just don’t do much. It’s just sort of a check the box exercise. We’re in about 150 departments across the country, right now which sounds like a lot but it’s not. There are thousands of police departments across the country. So, really Antioch is a true leader, here, in this space.”

According to the Compass EthiCards website, they were “Developed by military experts, proven in combat zones, adapted for law enforcement” and “grounded in behavioral science and organizational psychology—research that reveals what actually drives ethical behavior.”

They are “52 expertly crafted cards with real-world policing scenarios, organized into 4 suits with ethical insights from our experts” and offer “Personalized features like marking cards as completed and saving favorites for each team member.” The company also offers access to “Access to the EthiCards app and website for your entire department—not just sworn officers,” and “Annual Deck Updates” with “a brand new set of 52 fresh scenarios to keep discussions current and relevant.”

The company claims the cards have “Reduced Misconduct, Improved Retention,” they “Lower Liability” and are “Proven Globally” and “The result: a healthier, ethical culture built from the inside out.”

Thank you to the City Council and our Antioch community for your continued support as we invest in proactive, high-standard training for our officers!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

46-year-old Edgielyn Torrente located Sunday morning about one mile west of where she went missing on September 23rd; family notified

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

ANTIOCH, Calif. – Edgielyn “Lynn” Torrente, 46, who went missing while swimming near Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch on September 23, 2026, was found deceased in the San Joaquin River on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Her family has been notified, and this update was held until that notification was complete.

The Antioch Police Department extends its sincere condolences to her family and friends.

RECOVERY

At about 7:06 a.m. on September 27, 2026, officers responded to multiple calls reporting a person in the water west of Smith’s Landing. She was located about one mile farther west. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and the Pittsburg Police Department recovered her from the water. The Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division responded and took custody.

The Coroner’s Division will determine the cause and manner of death. No foul play is suspected.

BACKGROUND

As previously reported, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:12 p.m., officers responded to reports of two women in distress in the water behind Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill. The women had been swimming when a strong current pulled them from shore. Officer Molina reached one of the women, Farrah Moore, on a personal watercraft and brought her to safety.

According to his mother, Judy Dossey, “The private citizen on scene who was operating the jet ski is Jeff Lewis, an Antioch resident. Mr. Lewis also assisted in the rescue of the swimmer in distress.”

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, and the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit joined APD in water and aerial searches for Torrente.

Lt. Cesar Franco said it was his understanding the two women were homeless. According to a post on the Homelessness in Antioch & Community Connection Facebook page, local homeless advocate, Nichole Gardner, wrote on the day she was rescued, “Farrah is out of the hospital and is back downtown.” She also shared that Torrente went by “Lynn”.

The Antioch Police Department thanks each of these agencies, the Pittsburg Police Department, and the community members who called 911. CASE NO. 26-9135

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police respond en force to a “swatting” call of a man with a shotgun, that he was going to shoot people and take hostages at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant off Hillcrest Avenue near the freeway Monday, September 28, 2026, according to Antioch Police Lt. Michael Mellone. But the restaurant was closed and it was all fake, he said.

A Con Fire engine and AMR ambulance were also on scene, according to resident Denise Cantrell who witnessed the response.

According to a news release by the Antioch Police Department, which labeled the incident a “False Emergency Report,” Officers confirmed that reports of an armed person entering Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant Bar & Grill this afternoon were false. No one was hurt, and there is no threat to the public associated with this incident.

At approximately 3:42 p.m. on September 28, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received reports of an armed person entering the restaurant at 2737 Hillcrest Avenue. Officers arrived, learned the business was closed for the day, and contacted the owners to confirm the reported incident had not occurred. We thank the business owners for their help.

Hoax calls put community members and first responders at risk. They also tie up officers who are needed for real emergencies elsewhere in the city.

Knowingly reporting a false emergency is a crime under California Penal Code section 148.3. A person convicted can also be required to pay the reasonable costs of the emergency response.

We are actively investigating this incident and following up on leads to identify those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call (925) 778-2441 and reference case number 26-9324.

By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, Calif. — On September 26, 2026, at 8:56 p.m., the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received multiple calls reporting five to six gunshots in the 5400 block of Prewett Ranch Drive.

While officers were responding to the area, dispatch received a report that a 16-year-old male had been dropped off at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Additional officers responded to the hospital and contacted the victim, a Brentwood resident. The victim told officers he was leaving a house party on Prewett Ranch Drive when the shooting occurred.

The victim was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Officers processing the scene on Prewett Ranch Drive confirmed the shooting was connected to the nearby house party. During the preliminary investigation, officers also discovered that two nearby residences had been struck by gunfire. No additional injuries were reported.

There is currently no suspect information available. The Antioch Police Department is actively investigating the incident and working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who has home surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the shooting, is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may also submit a tip. Case No.: 26-9254

By Antioch Police Department

Antioch Police Department’s Citizen RIMS website puts local police activity and helpful services at your fingertips.

Here’s what you can do:

Explore the map. View reported crimes and calls for service near your home or business. Search by location, date, and incident type.

See recent activity. Browse arrest information and media bulletins, or review statistics about traffic and pedestrian stops.

Request a vacation home check. Heading out of town? Submit your request at least five days before leaving for trips of three consecutive days or longer. Department volunteers conduct checks as staffing allows.

Request extra patrols. Concerned about recurring speeding or an area needing more attention? Select “Directed Patrol Request” and tell us where, when, and what you’ve observed. Patrols depend on staffing and calls for service.

Register your security cameras. Help investigators identify cameras that may have captured evidence nearby. Registration is voluntary and does not give police access to your camera system.

Let the updates come to you. Receive daily or weekly emails about calls for service, crimes, or both.

Signing up is simple:

Visit Antioch’s email alert signup page- https://antiochpd.citizenrims.com/alerts

Enter and confirm your email address.

Choose your topics and frequency, then click Submit.

You can unsubscribe through the link in any alert email.

Explore and bookmark Citizen RIMS: antiochpd.citizenrims.com/map

Share this with a neighbor who would find it helpful!

Some incidents and details are withheld to protect privacy, and updates may be delayed. Email updates are not emergency notifications.

Emergencies or crimes in progress: 911

Non-emergency police assistance: 925-778-2441

Antioch Police Department – Service • Integrity • Community