Work trucks across Antioch are getting hit hard, and the fallout is landing squarely on the city’s tradesworkers. A spike in break-ins has thieves zeroing in on parked work vehicles and the pricey tools inside, leaving landscapers and contractors scrambling to keep their businesses afloat. For many, those tools are not just equipment, they are the whole paycheck.
So far this year, 115 auto burglaries have been reported in Antioch, a jump of roughly 70% from the same period last year, according to NBC Bay Area, which cites Antioch police Lt. Joe Njoroge. In response, police have stepped up patrols and pushed out public warnings on social media, trying to get ahead of crews targeting work trucks.
Residents Losing Tools And Businesses
The wave of thefts is not just an inconvenience, it is wiping out livelihoods overnight. Gloria Feliciano-Sermon told NBC Bay Area that thieves first grabbed her husband José’s mower, weed wacker, hedge trimmer and gas cans from the bed of his truck. Days later, they allegedly came back and took the entire vehicle.
"He’s worked so hard for his stuff," she said, describing how the losses have cut into the family’s income and left them staring down an unknown repair bill. Lt. Njoroge called the pattern of repeat hits on residents “disheartening.”
What Police Are Asking Residents To Do
As detectives work the cases, Antioch police are asking residents to shore up their own defenses. According to the City of Antioch, the department is urging people to clearly label tools, park in view of cameras whenever possible, and remove valuable equipment from vehicles overnight.
The department’s non-emergency line is listed as (925) 778-2441, and officers are specifically asking anyone with Ring or other door-cam footage of suspicious activity to get in touch with investigators. Police say they will keep extra patrols on the street while detectives chase down tips.
How This Fits Into Larger Trends
Statewide numbers show motor-vehicle theft dipped in 2024, but that broader trend does not erase localized spikes in theft-from-vehicles and tool-focused crimes, according to California’s OpenJustice data. Antioch officers stress that many of these break-ins are crimes of opportunity that can be discouraged with visible cameras, locked storage, better lighting and neighbors willing to report what they see.
If you have been a victim or have video that might help, Antioch police are asking you to file a report or call the non-emergency line. The department’s contact page lists options for reaching investigators, who are reviewing resident-submitted video and tips as they try to shut down the crews targeting the city’s work trucks.
