MARTINEZ, CA — Marcos E. Iriarte-Valdez, 36, of Martinez, remains in custody at the West County
Detention Facility in Richmond in lieu of $1.1 million bond. Police rearrested Iriarte-Valdez on August 7
on suspicion of murder.
Iriarte-Valdez was rearrested, one day after his release from jail—involving first-degree burglary
charges in Orinda. Iriarte-Valdez was free on pre-trial release, for burglaries that he allegedly
committed on April 29 while residents were home.
On August 6, Iriarte-Valdez allegedly murdered 68-year-old Todd Stewart outside his home on Francis
Court in Martinez. Officers responding to reports of a stabbing found Stewart on the ground suffering
from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Surveillance video recorded at the crime scene helped investigators identify Iriarte-Valdez as the
murder suspect. Video shows the suspect wearing a tactical vest prior to the fatal stabbing, who fled in
a Cadillac SUV registered to Iriarte-Valdez. The fatal attack occurred near the screaming victim’s front
door and it appeared unprovoked.
Martinez officers with a county SWAT team apprehended Iriarte-Valdez, three miles away at his
residence at 6:38 p.m. He was booked on suspicion of murder, and committing a felony while released
on his own recognizance. His next scheduled court date is September 9.
The homicide investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Martinez police detective
Cesar Dominguez at 925-372-3451 or email cdominguez1@cityofmartinez.org.
– by Jim Emerson
