DHS labels Martinez man charged in fatal stabbing of 68-year-old as 'criminal illegal alien'
MARTINEZ, Calif. (KGO) -- A Martinez man accused of fatally stabbing a 68-year-old homeowner during an alleged burglary appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
And now, the Department of Homeland Security involved and has labeled the suspect a "criminal illegal alien."
Police say Marcos Iriarte-Valdez was caught on a security camera on Francis Court in Martinez last Thursday, driving a gray SUV.
Investigators say the video shows him wearing a tactical vest before putting on a mask.
According to authorities, Todd Stewart, 68, confronted the suspect while he was allegedly burglarizing his home. Police say Stuart was then stabbed to death in his front yard.
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Iriarte-Valdez was arrested a short time later nearby. At his arraignment Wednesday, Iriarte-Valdez pleaded not guilty.
In a statement to ABC7 Eyewitness News, 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."
Federal immigration authorities also identified the suspect as a non-U.S. citizen.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: "ICE placed a detainer for Marcos Eduardo Iriarte Valdez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela with citizenship in Spain."
ABC7 Eyewitness News asked DHS officials to clarify the suspect's immigration history and current legal status but did not receive a response.
Court records show Iriarte-Valdez had previously been charged in Contra Costa County in connection with a series of residential burglaries in Orinda earlier this year. Prosecutors say he was on pretrial release in that case when he was arrested Tuesday for allegedly violating a home-detention condition.
According to court records, he was subsequently released on his own recognizance Wednesday, one day before Stewart was killed.
Jim, an Orinda homeowner who says he was among the suspect's alleged burglary victims, told ABC7 Eyewitness News that Ring camera footage from his home helped police make an arrest in the earlier case.
"I was told he had an ankle bracelet, taking it off or doing something to it, and released on his own recognizance," Jim said. "Whether he should have been is an open question, but it's very sad."
Jim said the suspect stole several items from his home.
"He took my computer laptop and took food from the fridge, then left," he said.
Victim was trying to prevent burglary when he was killed
A family friend tells ABC7 Eyewitness News Stewart was working in his garage and trying to prevent a burglary when he was attacked.
The incident has horrified this normally peaceful Martinez neighborhood.
Some members of the community have rallied behind a GiveSendGo fundraiser page set up by a family friend.
That friend, sending ABC7 Eyewitness News a statement Wednesday night that reads in part:
"Todd was a good human being. He was a devoted husband, loving father, who regularly contributed to his Church community... Todd will be remembered for his love, devotion and numerous acts of kindness."
Iriarte-Valdez is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 1. The case remains under investigation.
