Identity Theft Arrest in Antioch Nets Gold Bars, Cash, and 2 Firearms
by Jim Emerson
ANTIOCH — One phone call led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with an identity theft scheme to purchase gold.
Terrence G. Langston, 34, of Antioch, allegedly parlayed stolen identities to
purchase gold bars and aroused suspicion. Langston was placed under arrest on August 4.
Lear Capital, a Los Angeles-based precious metal company contacted Antioch police on July 21 to
report suspicious transactions. “Their employees noticed something was off,” Antioch police said in a prepared statement. “They picked up the phone and called us.”
One investigator linked the suspicious activity to victims in several states, with nearly $30,000 in
combined losses. “Most identity theft victims don’t know they’d been targeted until the damage is
done. Alert businesses are often the first to spot it.”
Detectives obtained a warrant to search an Antioch residence, where they found stolen property.
Evidence recovered included $9,000 worth of gold bars, check-printing equipment, and card readers.
Detectives also recovered personal identifying information belonging to numerous victims, and two
firearms. They also recovered more than than $3,500 in cash.
Langston was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility, and he posted bond for release from custody.
“The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office formally charged Langston with felony identity theft
and grand theft,” according to Antioch PD.
The suspect has prior arrests in Northern California on his record. In June 2023, Colma police
arrested Langston on suspicion of receiving a stolen motor vehicle. Antioch police arrested him in
November 2017 for receiving or concealing stolen property. Plus, he has prior arrests on misdemeanor
warrants for failure to appear.
