Martinez, California – A Pittsburg man has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with murder and assault in a two-count felony complaint.
Billy Ray Darby, Jr., 28, of Pittsburg, is currently in custody without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was arrested by Pittsburg Police in connection with the murder of 65- year-old Chito Avelino Ituriaga.
The incident occurred on August 20th around 6:40 a.m. in the 2200 block of Railroad Avenue near West Leland Road. Police responded to reports of a fight between Darby and Ituriaga. Upon arrival, officers found Ituriaga with serious head and neck injuries.
Pittsburg Police Department officers administered life-saving actions, but Ituriaga was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. Witness accounts led police to locate Darby nearby.
Darby is charged with one count of murder [PC 187(a)] and one count of assault likely to produce great bodily injury [PC 245(a)(4)]. His arraignment is scheduled for August 23rd at 1:30 p.m. in the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa in Martinez.
Case No. 04-24-01660 | The People of the State of California vs. Darby, Billy Ray, Jr
Previous
- Aug 22 – Transient Arrested in Fatal Assault of 65-Year-Old Man in Pittsburg
- July 31 – Pittsburg Police Announce Multiple Arrests in July 4 Fatal Shooting
- Aug 4-10: Pittsburg Police Calls
2024 Point in Time: Contra Costa County Sees Increase in Homelessness: The data also showed that the City of Antioch had the largest increase in homeless population in the county (79), with the City of Pittsburg at the second largest increase (52) when compared to 2023. It should be noted, the City of Antioch had the second largest increase in the county from 2022 to 2023.
Biggest Increases:
-
- 79 – City of Antioch
- 52 – City of Pittsburg
- 26 – City of Oakley
- 24 – City of Walnut Creek
- 18 – City of Martinez
Central County had a 2% decrease from 2023
| City | 2023 | 2024 | +/- |
| Clayton | 10 | 0 | -10 |
| Concord | 241 | 173 | -68 |
| Danville | 7 | 1 | -6 |
| Martinez | 140 | 158 | +18 |
| Pacheco | 20 | 28 | +8 |
| Pleasant Hill | 31 | 42 | +11 |
| San Ramon | 0 | 10 | +10 |
| Walnut Creek | 40 | 64 | +24 |
| Total | 496 | 485 | -11 |
East County had a 39% increase from 2023
| City | 2023 | 2024 | +/- |
| Antioch | 334 | 413 | +79 |
| Bay Point | 50 | 51 | +1 |
| Bethal Island | 6 | 4 | -2 |
| Brentwood | 37 | 30 | -7 |
| Oakley | 9 | 35 | +26 |
| Pittsburg | 58 | 110 | +52 |
| Total | 494 | 646 | +152 |
West County had 24% decrease from 2023
| City | 2023 | 2024 | +/- |
| Crockett | 21 | 21 | – |
| El Cerrito | 7 | 11 | +4 |
| El Sobrante | 5 | 0 | -5 |
| Hercules | 20 | 2 | -18 |
| N. Richmond | 31 | 5 | -26 |
| Pinole | 8 | 7 | -1 |
| Richmond | 487 | 388 | -99 |
| Rodeo | 36 | 29 | -5 |
| San Pablo | 48 | 35 | -13 |
| Total | 663 | 502 | -161 |
