Four Arrested for Saugstad Park Assault

Four Arrested for Saugstad Park Assault

Four suspects have been arrested for the assault of a 35-year-old man, who passed away in the hospital this morning as a result of his injuries, according to an official press release from the Roseville Police Department.

Charles David Waldecker, 24, of Roseville; Matthew Russell Alfonso, 29, of Roseville; Ninah Tyneil Winnie, 36, of Atwater; and Joseph Alan Ray Smith, 30, of Roseville, were reportedly all arrested at the scene of the assault on April 24 and are currently being held in the Placer County Jail without bail.

Matthew Russell Alfonso

Matthew Russell Alfonso

The suspects were reportedly originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy. However, following the death this morning, April 29, 2014, of the victim — Josef Martin Graven, 35 — the Placer County DA’s Office has reportedly confirmed they will be amending the defendants’ attempted murder charges to murder, according to Dee Dee Gunther, public information officer for the Roseville Police Department.

Ninah Tyneil Winnie

Ninah Tyneil Winnie

According to Roseville PD, at 8:04 am on Thursday, April 24, 2014, officers responded to Saugstad Park, 100 Buljan Drive, to a report that a group of people were beating a man. The people involved were reportedly part of a group of transients gathered at the park waiting for a regularly scheduled free breakfast served by a local charity.

Upon arrival, officers reportedly found the victim — later identified as Graven — unconscious on the ground with severe injuries from a beating, as well as a second victim — suspect Charles Waldecker — who had a stab wound in his back. Both men were reportedly transported to the hospital via an ambulance. Waldecker was reportedly treated at the hospital and released into the custody of police.

Joseph Alan Ray Smith

Joseph Alan Ray Smith

Officers reportedly learned that Waldecker had been in a dispute with Graven over the past few days over property that he believed Graven had stolen from him. They reportedly got into a fight at the park over the issue, and Graven allegedly stabbed Waldecker, causing a minor wound. Waldecker and the three other defendants are then reportedly suspected of attacking Graven and beating him until he lost consciousness.

Read More:

Sacramento Bee: Homeless man beaten at Roseville park dies of injuries

ABC10: Homeless man attacked at Roseville park dies, 4 under arrest

KCRA: Man attacked at Roseville food handout dies days later

Four Arrested for Saugstad Park Assault was last modified: January 14th, 2019 by admin
Categories: Placer

About Author

Corrie Pelc

Corrie Pelc brings over 16 years of journalism experience to United Reporting. She currently writes for a number of Sacramento-area publications, including Sacramento News & Review, East Sacramento News, Arden Carmichael News, Inside the City and Style Magazine.