Martinez police arrested 36-year-old Marcos Iriarte-Valdez after surveillance footage allegedly showed him fatally stabbing 68-year-old neighbor Todd Stewart. The video reportedly shows the attacker exiting an SUV and repeatedly stabbing Stewart on a sidewalk between parked cars. Iriarte-Valdez had been on pre-trial release in an unrelated burglary case and briefly detained in August for an alleged monitoring violation; bail is set at $1.1 million. Detectives have not released a motive, and the investigation remains active.
Suspect Arrested After Surveillance Footage Shows Martinez Man Fatally Stabbed
Police have arrested a man accused of fatally stabbing a 68-year-old Martinez resident in an attack recorded on recently released surveillance footage.
Martinez police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, who was taken into custody at his Martinez home Friday night in connection with the death of Todd Stewart, authorities said. Stewart, a husband and father of two who had lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years, was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics attempted life-saving measures.
Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, 36, was taken into custody.
Suspect's Background and Custody Status
Police say Iriarte-Valdez had been on pre-trial release in a separate case involving residential burglaries. He was reportedly arrested on Aug. 4 for an alleged violation of a home-detention monitoring condition and released the following day. Following the alleged stabbing, detectives returned him to custody; bail has been set at $1.1 million while the investigation continues.
Surveillance video captures the fatal stabbing of a Martinez man.
What the Video Shows
The newly released surveillance footage shows a man identified by police as Iriarte-Valdez arriving in a Cadillac SUV wearing dark jeans, a gray shirt and what appears to be a protective vest. He is seen sitting in the vehicle for a period before exiting and, according to authorities, launching a knife attack on Stewart.
Crime tape after the fatal stabbing of a Martinez man.
Footage shows the two men scuffling on a sidewalk between parked cars before Stewart is knocked to the pavement. Police say Iriarte-Valdez continued stabbing Stewart after he fell; the recording captures Stewart screaming during the assault.
Investigation Ongoing
Detectives have not released a motive and have not said whether the two men knew each other. Martinez Police Chief Andrew White said, "I think people can sleep a little bit safer tonight knowing that this person is in custody. Unfortunately, too, there's a family that no longer has a husband, a father." Neighbors told KTVU that Stewart had recently completed renovations on his home and described him as mild-mannered and helpful.
Authorities continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Martinez Police Department.
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