47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini Jr. knows 44-year-old Brentwood victim; released from hospital with serious injuries
By Lt. Bill Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 1:29 PM, Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the 3500 block of Lone Tree Way. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old female victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was stabilized at the scene by paramedics before she was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive. (See related article)
On Wednesday, September 17, Antioch Police Department detectives arrested the suspect, 47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini, Jr. of Brentwood, without incident for this shooting. Antioch Police detectives also executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Brentwood in connection with this shooting. Evidence from the home was collected.
Asked about the victim, Lt. Whitaker said, “She had surgery and was discharged from the hospital about a week later. She still has serious injuries.”
Asked if the two know each other and if it was a marital issue, he said, “They do know each other but we’re not releasing any other information. It’s still under investigation.”
This information is made available by the Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or Antioch Police Dispatch at (925) 778-2441. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
No additional information about Belini could be found in online search. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
The Antioch City Council settled a complaint by former Police Chief Steve Ford following an investigation that cleared his name of false allegations earlier this year. Herald file photo
Months after investigation completed; Council pays out $190K to Steve Ford who sought more than $500K to settle complaint over email sent by estranged-wife 15 months after he left department and released by then-Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe
Ford saw leak as political retaliation for endorsing Bernal for mayorand costing him permanent chief position
“The main thing for me was to clear my name. None of this was true.” – Steve Ford
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on August 12, 2025, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously in closed session, to settle a complaint by former Police Chief Steve Ford over leaked information from his estranged wife alleging misconduct with a City staffer. It includes $190,000 and a public apology through the local media that reported on the matter last year, including the East Bay Times, which broke the story, and the Antioch Herald.
According to the Dec. 5, 2024, report by the Herald, “An email from Ford’s estranged wife, Julia, who is pursuing a divorce, was sent to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker about the allegations, who in turn informed City Manager Bessie Scott who then began an investigative process. It was confirmed…that the email…was sent by Scott only to Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe after he asked her to put in writing details about the matter.”
According to the settlement, on Feb. 18, 2025, “the City issued a private memorandum to Ford confirming the investigation had concluded and that the allegations were unfounded.” But the City did not inform the media clearing Ford’s name until after he filed a complaint in April and it was settled in late August.
Feb. 18, 2025, memo from Chief Joe Vigil to Steve Ford included in complaint that the allegations were “Unfounded”. Redacted by Antioch Herald.
Complaint
According to the complaint, “Mr. Ford was subjected to an internal investigation by the City of Antioch in November 2024, based solely on an unverified accusation from his estranged spouse. On November 27, 2024, City Manager Scott summarized the unsubstantiated allegation in a confidential email sent only to then-Mayor Thorpe. That email was leaked to the press, causing widespread public damage to Mr. Ford’s reputation. The City’s negligent or intentional failure to secure confidential personnel information, as required by Penal Code § 832.7, directly caused the unauthorized disclosure, and its refusal to publicly retract the allegations amplified the reputational damage. This breach of the City’s statutory duty to safeguard personnel records directly enabled the harmful disclosure.
“At no time prior to the media leak did the City of Antioch notify Mr. Ford that he was under investigation or that such allegations had been made. He was not provided an opportunity to respond or to participate in the process. Indeed, Mr. Ford first learned of the allegations—and the City’s internal investigation—only after they had been disclosed through the media.
“Further, Mr. Ford was not provided with a copy of the investigation findings until after the undersigned attorney contacted the City to address the publication of false and defamatory information. Only then, on February 18, 2025, did the City issue a written memorandum confirming that its internal investigation had concluded and that the allegations against Mr. Ford were unfounded. However, this communication was preceded by inconsistent representations by the City. On February 12, 2025, the undersigned attorney contacted the interim City Attorney, seeking confirmation that no internal investigation was pending, noting that Mr. Ford had received no notice, was never interviewed, and had been separated from the City for over one year. After receiving no response, a follow-up message was sent on February 19. On February 24, the interim City Attorney replied that an investigation was ‘open and pending,’ documentation of which is available upon request. Mr. Ford did not receive the February 18 letter, which confirmed the investigation was closed with a finding of ‘Unfounded,’ until February 27, 2025. The City’s inconsistent communications, including falsely stating on February 24, 2025, that the investigation was ‘open and pending’ after it had concluded, demonstrate bad faith and aggravated harm to Mr. Ford. This bad faith and the City’s negligent or intentional disclosure of confidential information form a pattern of misconduct that aggravated Mr. Ford’s injuries.
“Despite privately acknowledging the allegations were unfounded, the City’s failure to publicly retract the accusations perpetuated the damage to Mr. Ford’s professional standing.
“Shortly thereafter, Mr. Ford was informed that he had not been selected as Antioch Police Chief, despite reaching the final interview stage. Mr. Ford had publicly supported then-candidate Ron Bernal, who defeated Mayor Thorpe in the November 2024 election, raising serious concerns that the City’s conduct and failure to repair the public damage were motivated, at least in part, by political retaliation. Discovery will clarify whether former Mayor Thorpe or other officials were aware of Mr. Ford’s endorsement and acted with retaliatory intent.”
Ford alleged the following legal violations:
Defamation (Libel per se)
False Light.
Invasion of Privacy (Public Disclosure of Private Facts).
Breach of Confidentiality (Penal Code § 832.7). This breach of the City’s statutory duty to safeguard personnel records directly enabled the harmful disclosure.
Violation of Peace Officer Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBRA) (Gov. Code §§ 3300 et seq.). The City violated Gov. Code §§ 3304 and 3305 by failing to notify Mr. Ford of the investigation, denying him an opportunity to respond, and improperly disclosing personnel information. These POBRA protections apply to Mr. Ford, to the extent applicable, as a former officer, given the investigation’s impact on his personnel record and reputation.
Political Retaliation (California Constitution, Art. I §§ 2, 3).
Violation of California Labor Code §§1101 & 1102.
Failure to Hire in Retaliation.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (NIED).
Declaratory and Injunctive Relief.
He also claimed the following injury and damages:
Severe reputational harm in the law enforcement and broader community
Loss of past and future employment opportunities
Emotional distress, humiliation, and mental anguish
Economic damages, including lost wages, future income, and attorneys’ fees
Continuing harm to career prospects, public image, and professional standing
Specifically, the complaint alleged, “The amount of damages is currently unliquidated but exceeds $500,000. This includes general and special damages, such as lost wages from the Antioch Police Chief position, emotional distress damages from public humiliation, attorneys’ fees, and statutory penalties where permitted, subject to proof at trial.”
The complaint also included copies of the articles published by the Times and Antioch Herald as supporting documentation.
Ford Sought Relief in Four Ways:
Monetary damages (economic and non-economic);
A public retraction and apology, published in the Antioch Herald, Times Herald, and East Bay Times and on the City’s official website, acknowledging that the allegations were unfounded and that Mr. Ford committed no misconduct;
Injunctive relief prohibiting future disclosures of protected personnel records; and
About the complaint and settlement Cole wrote in a Memorandum to the City Council included in the agenda for their meeting on September 9, 2025, “On April 28, Ford filed a complaint against the City through his attorney…This Memorandum supplements the City Council’s report-out from the above item considered at its regular meeting on August 12, 2025. The matter then identified as an anticipated litigation item-significant exposure to litigation related to a government claim filed by former Police Chief Steven Ford. Following the report out on that evening, the City—acting under direction the City Council provided during the closed session—executed a settlement with former Chief Ford. The written settlement agreement is now available as a public record.
“The settlement was approved by motion made during the August 12, 2025, closed session. The motion was: to resolve the government claim filed by former Police Chief Steven Ford, subject to the preparation and execution of a written settlement agreement prepared and approved by the Interim City Attorney. Motion by Councilmember Freitas, second by Councilmember Torrres-Walker, with unanimous approval (all 5 members present voted ‘Yes’).”
However, on Aug 12, Interim City Attorney Derek Cole, while reporting out from the Council’s Closed Session, merely said, “the council provided direction to counsel. No reportable action was taken.”
Asked why the council’s vote wasn’t reportable Cole explained, “The action taken in closed session on August 12 was not then reportable because the other side had not yet accepted the settlement. At the time of that closed session, we did not know if Chief Ford would agree on the same terms as the Council had authorized. He later did accept on those terms and his counsel and I reduced those to the written settlement agreement you now have. Once that was executed, there was no further executory action on either side’s part, so we made the updated report-out at the last meeting.”
The settlement was signed by representatives of both parties on August 25 and 26.
Source: City of Antioch
Public Apology by City
The City issued the following “Statement…Regarding Settlement of Government Claim Filed by Former Police Chief Steven Ford
August 27, 2025
“In November 2024, the City of Antioch initiated an internal investigation involving former Police Chief Steven Ford. The City received an email alleging Chief Ford, while employed with the City, had an inappropriate relationship with an unnamed subordinate. The investigation, which concluded in February 2025, determined this allegation was unfounded.
“The City acknowledges that shortly after the investigation began, the investigation’s existence and the subject of investigation were inappropriately revealed to the Press – before Chief Ford was made aware. This breach of confidentiality resulted in damaging media coverage about Chief Ford beginning on or about December 3, 2024
“The City acknowledges the investigation’s existence should not have been revealed to the Press. Chief Ford had a right to expect any unverified allegation about him would be investigated confidentially. Under California law, investigations regarding peace officers may only be revealed publicly when allegations are sustained. In this matter, the allegation against Chief Ford was found not true.
“The City expresses its appreciation for his previous service as Antioch Police Chief. It wishes Chief Ford the best for his future law enforcement career.”
When reached for comment about his complaint and settlement with the City, Ford said, “The main thing for me was to clear my name. That was important to me. The monetary compensation, I’m appreciative of. Because my name was tarnished by a lie forwarded in an email. It was my estranged wife who sent the email with some information that has been proven categorically untrue.”
“I was wondering why my ex would do that 16 months after I had left the Antioch Police Department,” he continued. “The City of Antioch acknowledged it was untrue. So, after 34 years building what I believe is a strong reputation there had never been anything like this. None of this was true.”
Asked why he didn’t sue Hernandez-Thorpe for sending it out to the media, Ford said, “That’s certainly an option. But my main goal was to clear my name.”
Asked why the City didn’t make the results of the investigation public in February he said, “They did not make that known in a timely fashion. I didn’t know an investigation had begun. I found out on December 3 there was an investigation, in the paper like everyone else.”
“That’s the ultimate violation of my Constitutional rights to due process,” the former police chief stated.
“This was for a divorce she filed for,” Ford explained. “It would be one thing if I had filed. But the slander campaign was outrageous by my estranged wife and Lamar.”
Asked why didn’t he or his attorney didn’t release the findings in February, Ford said, “I had no knowledge of my name being cleared as of Feb. 18th. They didn’t inform me of any disposition. I learned of that after the fact. That’s when I prompted my attorney to find out the disposition. Then we determined if I wanted to file the complaint which we did, in April.”
Asked for a copy of the investigation report, he said, “I was informed that’s something that has to be worked out between Cole and my attorney.”
City Attorney Cole was asked why the results of the investigation weren’t provided to the media when it was completed to clear Ford’s name at that point rather than wait for him to file and the City to settle his complaint and for a copy of the report. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
The suspect’s Lexus was towed from the Antioch Marina boat launch parking lot and a gun seized following a sideshow on Sunday night, September 7, 2025. Photos: Antioch PD
Driver from Morgan Hill, passenger from Oakland
By Antioch Police Department
Sunday night, Sept. 7, 2025, the Antioch Police Department received multiple calls about a sideshow at the Antioch Marina and when officers arrived, they saw a Lexus doing donuts in the boat launch parking lot.
According to Lt. Joe Njoroge, around 11:25 pm officers overheard the screeching of tires coming from the vicinity of the marina. The driver and passenger tried to exit quickly, but Officers Tryner and Drace looked inside the car and spotted something they shouldn’t have had, a gun.
The driver, Jose Martinez, 31-year-old out of Morgan Hill was arrested for VC 23103 – Reckless Driving. The passenger, Brian Gallegos Avina, 27-year-old male out of Oakland was arrested for: PC 25850(c)(6) – possession of a handgun when not the registered owner; PC 32310(a) – receiving a large-capacity magazine; PC 25850(a) – carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in any public place; and PC 25400(a)(2) – carrying a concealed upon a person any pistol, revolver or other firearm.
The Lexus got a one-way tow out of the marina.
Thank you for working with us and reporting problems when you see them.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of today, Thursday, September 10th, Avina is out of custody with no charges filed. No additional information from online searches could be found about Martinez.
City Manager, consultant refute claims “our city is, or might be, out of compliance”
By Allen D. Payton
Following a Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, for a Conference with Labor Negotiators for various employee groups, the Antioch City Council will receive presentations from the police department including the Quarterly Update with staffing stats and the U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement Bi-Annual Update. Included is City Manager Bessie Scott’s Memorandum to the City Council and Police Oversight Commission dated August 18, 2025, and a letter from the outside consultant refuting concerns that the City is possibly out of compliance with the USDOJ Agreement.
She wrote, “It has come to the attention of city staff that some individuals have publicly claimed that our city is, or might be, out of compliance with the USDOJ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). As the City Manager, I am happy to take this opportunity to address these concerns and have asked our Consultant on this matter, Manjit Sappal, to formally provide an update on the status of all elements within the MOA.”
Proclamations
The regular meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., and before the APD presentations the Council will consider approving three proclamations Celebrating California’s 175th Anniversary of Statehood, 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, September 11, 2025, and In Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 2025.
Commission Openings
The agenda also mentions the following City Commission openings for interested members of the public to apply for appointment:
Planning Commission – 3 Full Term vacancies, expiring October 2029;
Antioch Police Oversight Commission – 1 Partial Term vacancy, expiring November 2026;
Board of Administrative Appeals – 2 Full Term vacancies, expiring March 2028 and 1 Alternate vacancy, Two-year term.
Applications for the vacant positions are due Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Clerk’s Office. For more information see agenda item #4 and below:
Source: City of Antioch
Proposed Changes to Housing and Homeless Staff Positions
Under the only other major item on the agenda, item #7, according to the City staff report, the council will consider amending the personnel budget for the Housing and Homelessness Division of the misnamed Public Safety and Community Resources Department (which does not include police or fire services). The proposed budget change in the amount of $79,025 for fiscal year 2025-26 is to fund one Housing Manager and two Housing Services Coordinators in lieu of one Administrative Analyst I, one Unhoused Resident Coordinator, and one Housing Program Specialist.
The Department currently is led by Interim Director Monserat Cabral following the resignation of former Director Tasha Johnson.
The Antioch Police Department will add two more officers to the force and promote two from within on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The department will be welcoming new Officers Nicholas Kegle and Jordan Morrow. Lieutenant and Acting Captain Matthew Koch is being promoted to Captain and Sergeant and Acting Lt. William Whitaker is being promoted to Lieutenant.
All four will be given their oaths of office during a ceremony at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center Theater at 213 F Street, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
44-year-old victim in stable condition, city’s 9th shooting this year
By Sgt. Loren Bledsoe #4055, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
ANTIOCH, CA. On Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 1:29 PM, Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the 3500 block of Lone Tree Way. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old female victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was stabilized at the scene by paramedics before she was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive.
Detectives from the Investigation’s Bureau responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or Antioch Police Dispatch at (925) 778-2441. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
It’s the ninth shooting in the city, three which were fatal, this year, not including a pellet gun shooting and the self-inflicted fatal gunshot by a toddler.
The public is asked to help identify a witness to the July 11, 2024, shooting death in Antioch. Photo source: Antioch PD
Victim Kevin Vandenbos shot atapartment complex on Wilbur Avenue
By Detective John Cox #5705, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau is asking for the community’s help in an ongoing homicide investigation. Kevin Vandenbos was shot and killed on July 11, 2024, at about 7:29 p.m. at 600 Wilbur Avenue in Antioch. (See related article)
When officers arrived, they located a male in the street near the center of the apartment complex suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
The Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation.
This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
Over the past year, detectives have conducted multiple interviews and reviewed forensic and digital evidence. They are still working to identify witnesses who were present during the incident.
Detectives are now seeking the community’s assistance in identifying the witness depicted in the attached surveillance screenshot. Anyone who recognizes this individual is asked to contact Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or jcox@antiochca.gov.
Victim previously arrested last Christmas on violence charges
By Lt. Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Sunday, August 24, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of Cobblestone Drive and Flagstone Drive. When officers arrived on scene, they located a 27-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as Richard Morello, Jr.
On Monday, August 25, the Antioch Police Department executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Vallejo in connection with the deadly shooting. Evidence from the home was collected. On Tuesday, August 26, Stockton Police Department arrested the suspect, 37-year-old Jesus Soto of Vallejo, without incident for homicide. Evidence from a vehicle he was in was also collected.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation.
The Antioch Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners from Vallejo Police Department and Stockton Police Department.
This is an active investigation. Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
According to localcrimenews.com, Morello was arrested on Dec. 25, 2024, by Chico Police for false imprisonment by violence, battery on spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and disobeying a domestic relations court order.
No additional information could be found in an online search about the suspect.
Asked what led to the shooting and if it was a dispute, Detective Cox said he would not release any additional information, yet, that Soto had not yet arrived at the police department from Stockton and they had not yet interviewed him.
