Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Martinez man charged with murder in stabbing death, faces special circumstance allegation

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Suspect Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez and victim Todd Stewart. Photo sources: (left) Victor Mellor for Congress, (right) Blue Lives Matter.

Committed during burglary while out on conditional release; pleads not guilty

Faces life without parole

Now, labeled by Homeland Security as “criminal illegal alien”

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint charging 36-year-old Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez of Martinez with the murder of Todd Stewart of Martinez, who was 68 years old at the time of his death.

On August 6, 2026, at approximately 5:10 pm, Iriarte-Valdez stabbed Todd Stewart to death with a knife while committing a residential burglary. The Martinez Police Department quickly identified and located Iriarte-Valdez with assistance from the public and through multiple investigative sources. This included video surveillance capturing events related to the crime, as well as physical evidence processed by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab. (See related article)

On August 11, 2026, the Martinez Police Department presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. That same day, the District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint charging Iriarte-Valdez with one count of murder for the unlawful killing of Todd Stewart.

The complaint also includes three additional enhancements to the murder charge:

  • Killing during a burglary: The District Attorney’s Office alleges the murder took place while the defendant was committing, attempting, or fleeing a burglary. This special allegation, if found true by a jury, means the defendant could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • Use of a knife: The complaint alleges that Iriarte-Valdez personally used a knife during the commission of the crime, which qualifies as a serious felony enhancement under state law.
  • Committed while out on conditional release: At the time of the killing, Iriarte-Valdez was out of custody on electronic monitoring, as ordered by the court, in a separate, unrelated burglary case.

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Our office will pursue this case with diligence and integrity to hold Iriarte-Valdez fully accountable under the law for this devastating act of violence. Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones and the larger community as they navigate this unimaginable loss. Our Victim-Witness Assistance Program is available to guide the family members through the criminal justice process and connect them with the services and support they may need.”

Iriarte-Valdez was arraigned Thursday in Contra Costa Superior Court, pleading not guilty to the murder charge and denying all enhancements. Judge David Goldstein, who presided over the arraignment, called the defendant “a risk to public safety” and ordered him held without bail. The case returns to court September 1st at 8:30 am before Judge Michael Nieto in Richmond to set a preliminary hearing date.

According to charging documents, the suspect faces life without parole for the murder charge. 01-26-04140 – Charging Document

As previously reported by FOX News and ABC7 Eyewitness News, the Department of Homeland Security has labeled Iriarte-Valdez a “criminal illegal alien” as the agency had placed an immigration detainer on him on Sept. 23, 2025.

In addition, according to the California Globe, “On August 8, 2026, ICE placed a detainer on him with the Contra Costa County Jail.”

Case No. 01-26-04140 | The People of the State of California v. Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

68-year-old Martinez man stabbed to death by man labeled “criminal illegal alien”

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Suspect Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valde (top left) and in surveillance video footage next to his vehicle and victim Todd Stewart. Photo sources: Top left – Victor Mellor For Congress, top right – Blue Lives Matter Facebook page, bottom two, Martinez Police

One day after suspect released from custody on other charges

By Martinez Police Department

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, at approximately 5:09 pm, the Martinez Police Department received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding a subject who was reportedly stabbed on Francis Court in front of a residence.

Officers responded and upon their arrival they located a 68-year-old male, identified as Todd Stewart, on the ground with injuries consistent with being stabbed. Fire and medical responded, but the subject was declared deceased at the scene.

Detectives from the Martinez Police Department Investigations Bureau responded to the scene along with crime scene investigators from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect fled the scene in a Cadillac SUV vehicle pictured above.

He was later apprehended and identified as 36-year-old Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez (born 4/25/1990)

According to a Facebook post by Blue Lives Matter, Iriarte-Valdez is a “criminal released the day before” Stewart was killed. “Surveillance video shows 68-year-old Todd Stewart screaming for help as he is stabbed to death on his front lawn. The attack happened while Stewart was working in his open garage.

“Iriarte-Valdez…was already on pre-trial release for residential burglaries committed in Orinda in April. On August 4 he was taken back into custody for violating the terms of his home detention. The very next day a judge ordered him released on his own recognizance and referred him back to monitoring.”

“Authorities say the ankle monitor was not placed back on him until Friday morning, after Stewart had already been killed.”

According to an Aug. 12th FOXNews report, “The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital it placed an immigration detainer on Iriarte-Valdez Sept. 23, 2025. The DHS said that Valdez was from Venezuela with citizenship in Spain.”  He “had a prior criminal record and was facing burglary charges stemming from at least two incidents elsewhere in Contra Costa County…when a judge…ordered him released.”

According to an Aug. 12th ABC7 Eyewitness News report, “Investigators say the video shows him wearing a tactical vest before putting on a mask.” Iriarte-Valdez “appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to murder charges” and “now, the Department of Homeland Security [is] involved and has labeled the suspect a ‘criminal illegal alien’.”

According to the California Globe, “On August 8, 2026, ICE placed a detainer on him with the Contra Costa County Jail” and the judge “is Nichelle Holmes, a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her in March 2024.”

According to localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested on April 29, 2026, for burglary, receiving or concealing stolen property, aggravated trespass, trespassing by driving on private property and loitering, prowling, wandering upon the private property of another.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Iriarte-Valdez is listed as White and was booked on May 15th then released on his own recognizance on Aug. 5th at 7:03 PM.

Also, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, two-inch tall, 175-pound suspect is Hispanic and being held in the West Re-Entry Treatment and Housing facility in Richmond on no bail. He has another court appearance scheduled for Sept. 9th at 8:30 AM in Martinez Superior Court Dept. 5.

But according to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, the case returns to court September 1st at 8:30 am before Judge Michael Nieto in Richmond to set a preliminary hearing date.

The investigation is active and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dominguez at (925) 372-3451 or at cdominguez1@cityofmartinez.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Meet Brentwood’s new police chief Aug. 22

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By Brentwood Police Department

Have you ever wanted to meet Brentwood’s Chief of Police, ask questions, or learn more about your Police Department?

Join us for Meet the Chief on Saturday, August 22, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Brentwood Police Department. He was appointed on July 6, 2026, after serving as Interim Chief of Police since September 2025.

This is a great opportunity to connect with Chief Walter O’Grodnick and members of the Brentwood Police Department in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Enjoy free hot dogs while learning more about your police department and the services we provide.

On display will be:

  • Our new Traffic Unit vehicle
  • Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) Mobile Command Center

Take a guided tour of the Brentwood Police Department and get a behind-the-scenes look at where our officers and professional staff work every day.

Whether you have questions, want to meet the officers who serve our community, or simply want to stop by and say hello, we’d love to see you there!

Saturday, August 22

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Brentwood Police Department

9100 Brentwood Blvd.

We look forward to meeting you and spending the afternoon with our community!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Oakland man, 3 juveniles arrested for 37 Concord vehicle and residential burglaries

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Concord burglary suspects in action and the arrest of one. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

4th juvenile already in jail

Also responsible for approximately 40 more burglaries in other cities; property valued at over $250,000

Multi-agency effort

By Concord Police Department

In May of 2026, the Concord Police Department’s Major Case Unit initiated an investigation into a vehicle and residential burglary series that occurred between late April and June. The suspects in these cases broke into vehicles, typically during the early morning hours, and would often use garage door openers located inside the vehicles to enter the associated garages in search of additional power tools.

In May of 2026, surveillance video captured the same suspects, armed with firearms, pointing a firearm at the interior door leading from the garage into a residence, in apparent anticipation of a homeowner exiting the residence. The suspects stole various power tools and, during one burglary, stole 14 firearms from a residential garage.

Also in May, a Concord Police officer located a possible suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated but later terminated due to public safety concerns.

During a subsequent burglary series in June, Concord PD officers located a different suspect vehicle, which fled from pursuing officers and eluded capture.

Items recovered of those stolen valued at over $250,000. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

In an additional, separate burglary series in June, the juveniles fled the scene of a burglary, became involved in a vehicle collision and fled on foot. The juveniles again eluded capture; however, another firearm was recovered.

In late June of 2026, working in conjunction with the Richmond Police Department, Concord PD detectives identified four juveniles believed to be involved in the burglaries. One of the juveniles was already in custody at Juvenile Hall for an unrelated incident that did not occur in the City of Concord. Arrest and search warrants were granted for the three remaining juveniles.

In July of 2026, simultaneous arrest and search warrants were executed by the Concord Police Department SWAT Team, with assistance from the Antioch Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Central County SWAT and the U.S. Marshals Service. All three outstanding suspects were arrested during the operation. During searches of their residences, two firearms stolen during a Concord burglary were recovered. A third stolen firearm was previously recovered by the Richmond Police Department during its investigation.

Ultimately, the suspects were identified as being responsible for 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in the City of Concord, as well as approximately 40 additional burglaries in various other cities throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. The crimes also included multiple vehicle thefts, with the suspects using stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed complaints against the three juveniles. Their names are not being released, consistent with state law.

Further investigation by Concord PD detectives showed the suspects communicated with 37-year-old Wuillian Cordova-Cubias of Oakland. Cordova-Cubias was identified as purchasing tools from the suspects on multiple occasions, often immediately following the burglaries.

Stolen firearms recovered. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

An arrest warrant for Cordova-Cubias and a search warrant for his residence were sought and granted. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oakland Police Department, Concord PD detectives arrested Cordova-Cubias at his residence in Oakland. During a search of the residence, detectives located an extremely large quantity of power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm, and numerous other high-value items. The property was valued at approximately $250,000.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Organized Retail Theft Unit filed criminal charges against Cordova-Cubias for the following:

Penal Code § 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property

Penal Code § 496d(a) – Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

Penal Code § 182(a) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

Penal Code § 29805(c) – Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

Cordova-Cubias was booked into the Concord Police Department Jail and transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, as of Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 09:28 AM he had bonded out of custody. UPDATE: However, according to Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo, Cordova-Cubias “not out of custody anymore. He was brought back in earlier today,” Friday, Aug. 7.

The Concord Police Department remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat crime throughout our region. Multiple agencies assisted with this investigation, including:

Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg and Oakland Police Departments, Central County SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 240-pound Cordova-Cubias is Hispanic and has been arrested at least five other times for guns, drugs and violent crimes including battery and threats of violence, as well as receiving or concealing stolen property.

For additional information, please visit the Concord Police Department’s social media platforms for a video overview of the investigation. (Instagram: @ConcordPD).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man sentenced to 18 years in prison for violent extortion scheme, shooting at federal officers

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Suspect mailed and made other threats, also conspired with co-defendant to distribute controlled substances, maintain drug lab in Richmond

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Joel Rowland Dowen was sentenced today, Friday, August 7, 2026, to eighteen years in federal prison, for engaging in a violent extortion scheme, shooting at a federal officer, drug dealing and bank fraud.  Co-defendant Micah-Luc Almeida was sentenced to three years in federal prison for conspiring to deal drugs with Dowen.  United States District Judge Jon S. Tigar handed down the sentence. He faced a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three charges against him.

Dowen, 46, of Concord, California, and Almeida, 47, of San Francisco, California were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on March 26, 2024.  As previously reported, Dowen was charged with mailing threatening communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 376(b) and assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(b); both Dowen and Almeida were charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); and Almeida was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute MDA, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1).  Dowen was separately charged in 2025 with bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344.  The defendants pleaded guilty to all counts.

In their plea agreements, Dowen and Almeida admitted that from 2020 to 2024 they conspired to manufacture and distribute large quantities of federally controlled substances, including MDA and psilocin.  Dowen and Almeida maintained a drug manufacturing laboratory in Richmond, California, from where law enforcement seized hundreds of kilograms of waste material from attempted drug manufacturing.

Dowen also admitted to engaging in a pattern of threats and violence against a victim and their family to extort the victim for millions of dollars and a drug-manufacturing recipe.  Dowen arranged for three individuals to violently assault the victim’s elderly father (then 80 years old) in his home, causing life-threatening injuries.  After the assault, Dowen continued to threaten the victim and other members of the victim’s family and set the victim’s home on fire. When law enforcement came to arrest Dowen in 2024, he shot at them with a handgun through the front door as they were breaching the entrance, hitting one DEA agent’s protective shield.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar sentenced both Dowen and Almeida to a 3-year period of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime Section.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lina Peng and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Karmel handled the case, with assistance from Legal Administrative Specialist Sara Slattery and Legal Assistant Freya Picciotto. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, IRS-CI (Criminal Investigations), ATF, FBI, HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) and U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the Concord Police Department.

According to localcrimenews.com, Dowen is white, five-foot, seven-inches tall and weighs 280-pounds.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Over $900K scammed from City of Pittsburg in phishing attack

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Investigation, recovery effort results in return of almost $700K

Suspect based in Nigeria

By Toni Baldazo, City of Pittsburg Community Engagement Officer

The City of Pittsburg is reporting a February 2026 phishing incident that resulted in a single unauthorized ACH payment totaling $913,839.81 being sent to a fraudulent account spoofing as a known City vendor. The incident occurred on February 12, 2026, and was identified by City staff on February 17, 2026, prompting immediate action. The City informed the Pittsburg Police Department who expanded the response team to include the County of Contra Costa and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, phishing is when scammers use email or text messages to try to trick people into giving them personal and financial information to steal passwords, account numbers or Social Security numbers. They are then able access to email, bank and other accounts.

“The instant this incident was identified as fraudulent by City staff, the City’s Police Department acted quickly and immediately froze the account to which the funds were electronically wired,” said Pittsburg Police Chief Phil Galer. “Given the nature of this cybercrime, we contacted related agencies and the FBI to tap all available resources.”

The swift action of the Pittsburg Police Department resulted in the initial recovery of $696,241.00 dollars.  The City is pursuing insurance coverage payment for the remaining $217,598.00, through its cyber and crime insurance policies. The investigation involved several sensitive and intricate components, requiring a number of complex investigative steps over a period of time, to maximize the recovery of funds and to seek identification of the perpetrators.  It included 18 search warrants involving 116 accounts across major technology companies, financial institutions and telecommunications providers. Evidence identified the primary overseas suspect responsible for compromising the City’s email system is based in Nigeria with at least two criminally affiliated U.S.-based suspects. The investigation remains active as the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have accepted the case for continued investigation domestically and overseas.

“The Pittsburg Police Department remains committed to pursuing every available lead and ensuring the highest level of protection for our city operations,” Chief Galer added.

While the investigation is ongoing with the FBI and related agency partners, it has now reached a point where public disclosure will not compromise the investigation.

In response to the incident, the City immediately implemented new processes to further strengthen internal controls related to financial processes. This includes improvements to digital and human procedures including ACH payment verification processes, and controls within financial workflows, as well as modifications to IT staffing. These enhanced measures reflect significant internal analysis and reinforce the City’s commitment to strong cybersecurity practices that protect public resources.

“Sadly, Pittsburg has joined a long list of public agencies successfully targeted by international crime rings with cyber-based financial crimes. This crime is both upsetting and a hard lesson for how we can improve our security. I share the community’s disappointment that criminals were able to exploit our systems,” said Mayor Dionne Adams. “While this was a difficult moment, the City acted immediately to recover as much of the stolen funds as possible and tightened cybersecurity measures and procedures. I thank Pittsburg PD for their swift action and the law enforcement agency partners that helped us throughout this process.”

The city encourages residents and partners to remain vigilant about cybersecurity threats. City leadership will continue to evolve its internal systems in response to the expanding threats of cybercrime attacks to safeguard public funds and operations.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Five arrested, 66 citations issued during Brentwood disabled parking operation

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A Brentwood Police Officer issues a ticket to a vehicle illegally parked in a disabled space on July 21, 2026. Video screenshot source: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

On July 21, 2026, Brentwood Police Department Motor Officers, Community Service Officers (CSOs), and School Resource Officers (SROs) conducted a focused enforcement operation targeting the unlawful use of disabled parking spaces throughout our community.

During the operation, officers and staff issued 66 citations and made 5 arrests.

Accessible parking spaces are reserved for individuals who rely on them due to their limited mobility. Misusing a disabled parking space or placard isn’t just against the law—it takes away access from those who truly need it.

Thank you to everyone who follows the law and helps keep these spaces available for our community members with disabilities. We will continue conducting enforcement efforts to ensure these designated parking spaces remain accessible to those they are intended to serve.

See video.

Alameda man charged with murder in 20-year-old Orinda resident’s fentanyl death

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

In September 2024, the Orinda Police Department investigated a death case involving a 20-year-old Orinda resident. The cause of death was later determined to be ‘acute fentanyl and para-flurofentanyl intoxication.’

During the course of the investigation, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office determined where the drugs were purchased and later identified the suspect who sold them to the victim.

Detectives secured a Ramey arrest warrant for the suspect who was arrested on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. He is identified as 26-year-old Ulzii Orshikh Batsukh (born 9/6/1999) of the city of Alameda. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge.

Thursday afternoon, detectives filed the case with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office which formally charged Batsukh with murder for selling narcotics laced with fentanyl that led to the death of the Orinda resident. He is being held without bail although it’s been set at $1 million.

Batsukh is listed as five-feet, seven-inches tall, 145-pounds and as Asian-Pacific Islander.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in October 2025 by Hayward Police for DUI.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Martinez man arrested in Pleasant Hill for residential burglary

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Burglary suspect Vincent J Delgado was arrested on Aug. 5. 2026. Photos: Pleasant Hill PD

37-year-old Vincent Jeremy Delgado has a history of arrests

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, August 5, 2026, Pleasant Hill Police Patrol officers responded to the report of a possible residential burglary in progress in the area of Gail Drive and Bridgewater Way. The homeowner advised they were seeing an unknown subject and animal inside their residence via a surveillance camera. Officers responded to the area and while setting up a perimeter, they contacted a male suspect and his dog fleeing the residence from the rear yard.

Vincent Jeremy Delgado, 37 years old of Martinez (born 10/26/1988) was quickly detained while officers conducted their investigation. With the help of our Patrol Drone Team as well as a Pittsburg PD K-9, the residence was cleared and officers confirmed Delgado had forced his way into the residence. Delgado was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on Burglary charges!

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 185-pound Delgado is Hispanic and is being held in the West County Detention Facility with bail set at $50,000 but on a no bail Parole Hold.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has history of arrests dating back to 2015 for burglary, drug charges, receiving or concealing stolen property, vandalism of $5,000 or more, the manufacture, import or sale of Nunchucks and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.

This investigation was a great example of collaboration between our residents, patrol teams, and outside agencies. Thanks for the assist, Pittsburg Police!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Lafayette Police arrest 10 in May, 20 in June

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Source: Lafayette PD

4 for hit-and-run, 1 for DUI out of 2,737 calls for service; see lists of details

By Allen D. Payton

According to the May and June Statistics for 2026, the Lafayette Police Department took 2,737 calls for service, wrote 133 reports, issued 226 traffic citations and made 10 arrests in May and 20 arrests in June, including four for hit-and-run with only property damage and one for DUI.

Map of crimes between May 1 through June 30, 2026. Does not include the following categories: All Other – Non-Criminal and Traffic Incident. Source: Lafayette PD communitycrimemap.com

Crimes in Lafayette May 1-31, 2026. Source: Lafayette PD communitycrimemap.com

 

Crimes in Lafayette June 1-30, 2026. Source: Lafayette PD communitycrimemap.com

The Lafayette Police Department encourages residents to stay informed about their community. Visit the Lafayette Community Crime Map for additional incidents and to create custom reports: https://communitycrimemap.com.