The body of missing Antioch swimmer Edgielyn Torrente, seen in photos on her Facebook pages on Feb. 27, 2023, and Nov. 9, 2022, has been located.
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.”
Antioch resident Jeff Lewis assists Officer Molina on a jet ski. Video screenshots source: Antioch PD
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
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.
Police respond en force to a fake swatting call at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant on Hillcrest Avenue. Photos by Denise Cantrell
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.
Police surrounded the restaurant out of precaution. Photos by Denise Cantrell
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.
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
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.
Screenshot of Antioch’s Citizen RIMS website report map showing crime locations between Jan. 25-28, 2026. Source: APD
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.
Thieves don’t need your keys to steal something valuable from your car.
A catalytic converter—the emissions-control device in your exhaust system—can be stolen in minutes. Here are five ways to make your vehicle harder to target:
Put a barrier in their way.
Ask a reputable repair shop about a catalytic converter shield, cage, or security device designed for your vehicle. These add an obstacle to removal, but no device makes a converter theft-proof.
Find out what actually triggers your alarm.
Ask your dealer or installer whether your alarm detects the vehicle being lifted or disturbed underneath. A tilt sensor or suitable vibration sensor may provide protection your current setup doesn’t.
Make your next oil change a prevention opportunity.
While your vehicle is on the lift, ask whether the shop can mark the converter with your vehicle identification number or install a purpose-made identification kit. Have the shop photograph the marking, and complete any required registration. Identification can help police link a recovered converter to your vehicle; it cannot physically stop removal.
Check what your camera can actually see.
Look at the live view after dark. Does it cover your parked vehicle and the approach to it? Check motion-detection zones and notifications, and consider motion-activated lighting. A camera aimed at the front door may miss activity in the driveway.
Plan for the hours your vehicle sits unattended.
At work, apartment complexes, or long-term parking lots, choose visible spaces with regular activity and camera coverage when available. Ask property managers about dark areas, broken gates, or cameras that don’t cover parking spaces.
Suspect a theft in progress? Call 911. Stay somewhere safe and do not confront or follow anyone. Give dispatch the location and any descriptions you can safely observe.
Save this post for your next service appointment.
Antioch Police Department – Service • Integrity • Community
Both believed to be homeless; U.S. Coast Guard, Con Fire, Contra Costa County Sheriff Air Support Unit assist
By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department
ANTIOCH, Calif. – On September 23, 2026, at 6:12 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of two adult women in distress and drowning in the water near the rear of Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill restaurant by the Antioch Marina.
Upon arrival, Officer Molina immediately entered the water aboard a personal watercraft (jet ski) and successfully reached and rescued one of the women, who had been caught in the strong current.
Screenshot of Con Fire incident report of Water Rescue in Antioch Wednesday night. Source: PulsePoint
A coordinated, multi-agency search was immediately initiated for the second 54-year-old woman. The United States Coast Guard, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CONFIRE), and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit assisted with extensive water and aerial searches of the area. As of this time, the second woman has not been located.
The preliminary investigation indicates no foul play is suspected. The two women were swimming when they were caught in the strong current. We are in the process of confirming the identity of the missing swimmer.
According to a video message by local homeless advocate Nichole Gardner posted on the Homelessness in Antioch & Community Connection Facebook page, the one rescued is named Farrah and the woman missing is named Lynn. “Our friend, Farrah is one of the women who fell in and they found her. But they could not find our friend, Lynn. We were out there at 6:30 when all of this was going on.”
When asked for the women’s ages, Lt. Franco said, “The information is preliminary for now. We expect to update the information later. I believe the one who is missing is 54 years old. But we need to interview the woman who was rescued.”
Asked if they are homeless, he said, “That’s our understanding and what people are saying.”
9/24/26 UPDATE 1: According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, “The woman who was rescued was identified by a friend as Farrah Moore. She was transported to the hospital for her injuries. Moore’s friend said she is OK and suffered a cut to her leg” and the identity of the missing swimmer is “46-year-old Edgielyn Torrente.”
Antioch resident Jeff Lewis assists Officer Molina on a jet ski in the search. Video screenshots source: Antioch PD
9/25/26 UPDATE 2: 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.”
Asked for any updates regarding locating the missing woman Captain Gary Lowther responded, “the status of the outstanding citizen is unknown.”
The Antioch Police Department thanks the United States Coast Guard, CONFIRE, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for their rapid response and continued assistance with the search.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department. Case No.: 26-9135
Wants it to include broader option of other parts of city
By Allen D. Payton
Following meetings held with downtown business owners and community members regarding hours of operation, patrol locations, scope of services and other identified needs and issues, during their meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Antioch City Council discussed restoring private security services to the City-owned parking lots in downtown Rivertown. But the discussion expanded to other issues and possible broader private security services throughout the city.
First approved by the Council in 2023, according to the city staff report, the contract with Brentwood-based Shield Protection & Public Safety, Inc., DBA Spearhead Protection, for private security services of City-owned assets and parking lots in the Rivertown area was for an amount not to exceed $50,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 (ending June 30th) and $100,000 in fiscal year 2024-25. It was renewed for the 2025-26 fiscal year and the private security contract ended on June 30th.
Under Item 6, on the agenda, the Council was asked to discuss downtown security services for City owned parking lots, property and public areas, and provide direction to staff on whether to initiate a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for private security services in the Rivertown/Downtown area.
Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas was the first council member to speak saying, “Frankly, this issue came to us from the Downtown Antioch Association. Because…there have been more and more reports since the security has stopped. We began asking a lot of questions…and all of us received input from the DAA and Chamber of Commerce.”
“They complimented the police department and some of the crime prevention efforts,” he continued. “But crime has risen since the services have stopped.”
“Clearly the hours from their perspective, about 30 people were in attendance and 60% said they wanted different hours,” Freitas said. “There are a lot of issues that came out of this. Conceptually, yes, I believe services should be provided. But I don’t know what should be provided. There are a lot of options: Hours of operation. There are businesses that were under contract but did not perform.”
Acting City Manager Ana Cortez responded saying, “What I’m seeking tonight is direction. Does Council want to continue with private security services? If yes, we’d have to proceed with a request for proposal process, since the previous contract ended. We would put all the input into a scope of services.”
“Private security services represent one aspect,” Freitas continued. “The lighting in the downtown, the homelessness issue, the cleanliness. All of that was discussed extensively by the business owners and private residents. This should be comprehensive and not just in the downtown.”
“But, we said, there needs to be a public-private partnership,” he stated. “This cannot be just the City of Antioch. This cannot be just the General Fund. This needs to be a collaborative effort.”
“What’s really confusing about the process is that…it explicitly says security services will be used for City-owned properties and parking lots…it will not be to patrol privately-owned property,” District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker stated, asking “Is their focus, City-owned property downtown? If I see somebody breaking into a business, do I ignore it?”
“I think they would report that to the police department,” Cortez responded. “That’s something that would be included in the scope of work.”
“I expected to see a fully drafted Request for Proposal…and that’s not here,” Torres-Walker continued. “In addition to a public-private partnership.”
She then spoke of an overlay district and said, “I know that’s a longer-term strategy.”
“This does involve a bigger discussion,” she continued. “I know the mayor pro tem and I are appointed to the Downtown Standing Committee. What I would request…is that we as a City, we might want to reassess the potential of that standing committee and establish an ad-hoc committee. Is the standing committee still necessary? What would a task force look like? It’s kind of hard to have dialogue and workshop in a standing committee.”
District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then said, “Although there is a list of what the private security will do…then there’s also the expectations of our businesses which don’t align. A lot of this seems to be more of a police department issue.
“This is about public property, not a private business,” she continued. “How are we going to make this work with the expectations of
“It’s a Code Enforcement issue, it’s a Public Works issue…we got into a parking issue and turns out, some of the worst offenders are the business owners,” Freitas stated. “Frankly, one of the parties is the railroad. That is a big issue in the downtown and we seem to ignore it until we handle it until the next time. I think we need to have a broader discussion.”
“I don’t want to dismiss the issue of needing security in downtown, right now,” Torres-Walker added. “It needs to include a larger community voice.”
“I can come back to the next council meeting with an RFP,” Cortez responded.
“One of the other issues that isn’t addressed, necessarily in the current parking lots, at the water treatment plant, we’ve had calls for service…if there are other areas of the city that are having issues,” Mayor Ron Bernal stated.
“This is about one security guard. Is one enough?” he asked. “Not just in downtown.”
“I think we also need to look at the Downtown Specific Plan…I think that would be important,” Bernal added.
“We do want to include the entire city, not just the downtown,” Cortez stated.
“In talking to the chief, I included other parts of town…it should be expanded,” said Bernal.
“We need to hear from Public Works, Code Enforcement…if the hours are correct. I think the way we had it did not work,” said Freitas.
“Moving those around is the best model,” Bernal interjected.
“I thought it was very good for all council members and staff, the chief to hear these dialogues…having that dialogue was very, very helpful,” Freitas stated. “Some things came up that we never hear. I think an ad hoc is better than a steering (he meant standing) committee which has other rules.”
Torres-Walker then asked what about businesses in other parts of Antioch.
“Are security officers armed, are they not armed, do they have lights on their patrol cars?” Bernal asked.
“And what businesses are already paying for private security?” Torres-Walker asked. “They might be in a commercial lot with other private businesses. She then reiterated her proposal for a public-private partnership.
“It started as a focus on the downtown,” Cortez explained. “It turned out to be a bigger issue.”
Cortez will return with a proposed RFP or RFQ for discussion at the Council meeting on Oct. 13th.
There is no single device that will make a vehicle impossible to steal. The best approach is to make your vehicle harder to take and easier to recover.
Lock it, then check it.
Close the windows, lock the doors, take your keys, and make sure the vehicle actually locked before you walk away.
Add a visible deterrent.
A steering-wheel lock may be old-school, but it adds another obstacle and tells a thief your vehicle will take more work.
Protect your key fob.
If your vehicle has keyless entry or push-button start, keep both your primary and spare fobs away from exterior doors and windows at home. Consider a quality signal-blocking pouch or box and test it periodically to make sure it works.
Check your vehicle’s security features.
Review your manufacturer’s app and security settings. Make sure any available location or stolen-vehicle recovery features are activated before you need them.
Give yourself more than one way to find it.
Consider your vehicle’s built-in location service, a dedicated GPS tracker, or a discreet AirTag or similar device as an additional recovery tool. Periodically check tracker battery status.
Create a 30-second vehicle record.
Save a current photo, license plate number, VIN, year, make, model, color, and any distinctive features somewhere you can quickly access from your phone.
Park smart.
Use a garage when possible. Otherwise, park in a well-lit, visible area and remove valuables from sight.
If your vehicle is stolen:
Call police immediately. If a vehicle app, GPS system, AirTag or other tracker shows a location, share that information with the dispatcher or responding officer.
Do not follow the vehicle or attempt to recover it yourself.
