A man accused of fatally stabbing a 68-year-old in Martinez, California, had been released from jail just one day prior to the alleged attack, authorities said.
Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, 36, was arrested Friday in connection with the killing of Todd Stewart. Stewart was allegedly stabbed outside his home on Thursday in an incident captured on surveillance video. Iriarte-Valdez had initially been arrested on April 29 for a series of burglaries. He was later rearrested last Tuesday for violating his home detention terms. A judge ordered him released on his own recognizance on Wednesday, referring him back to the home detention monitoring program.
Surveillance footage shows Iriarte-Valdez arriving at the scene in a Cadillac SUV and exiting the vehicle before allegedly attacking Stewart. The two men were seen struggling before Stewart fell to the ground. Police stated that Iriarte-Valdez continued to stab Stewart as he lay on the sidewalk. The motive for the attack and whether the suspect and victim knew each other have not been disclosed by authorities.
Following the fatal stabbing, Iriarte-Valdez was apprehended at his residence on Friday. His bail has been set at $1.1 million as the investigation into the killing continues.
Martinez Police Chief Andrew White stated, “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, the victim, had resided in the community for over 30 years and had recently finished renovations on his home. A friend described Stewart as a “mild-mannered person and the most helpful,” adding, “It’s still unbelievable.”