Update: The Martinez Police Department said Friday that the suspect wanted in a homicide investigation is in custody. More information is coming soon.
ARREST MADE IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION ON FRANCIS CT
Following the initial report of the stabbing homicide on Francis Court, the Martinez Police Department worked to identify and locate the suspect.
With the help of the community and other agencies, a license plate was identified and the vehicle was located in the 1600 block of Ashwood Drive in Martinez.
Officers began surveillance of the suspect and vehicle while detectives conducted additional investigation. The suspect was identified as Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, 36, who lives in the 1600 block of Ashwood Drive.
A review of court records showed:
- Valdez was on pre-trial release for residential burglaries (with persons present) that occurred on April 29, 2026 in Orinda.
- On August 4, 2026, Valdez was taken into custody for allegedly violating a home detention monitoring rule.
- On August 5, 2026, Valdez was ordered released on his own-recognizance and referred to home detention monitoring.
Based on information gathered, detectives obtained an arrest warrant from the Contra Costa County Superior Court for Valdez for murder and committing a felony while on own-recognizance release.They also obtained a search warrant for Valdez’s home and vehicle.
On August 7, 2026, around 6:23pm, the warrants were executed by the Central County SWAT team and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect is being booked into jail with a bail set at $1.1 million. The investigation is ongoing and our understanding of the incident may change as more individuals are interviewed and evidence is collected and analyzed.
We are grateful for support of our community members and allied law enforcement agencies in investigating this case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dominguez at (925) 372 3451 or at [email protected]
On August 6, 2026, at approximately 5:09pm, the Martinez Police Department received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding a subject who was reportedly stabbed on Francis Court in front of a residence.
Officers responded and upon their arrival they located a 68-year-old male, identified as Todd Stewart, on the ground with injuries consistent with being stabbed. Fire and medical responded, but the subject was declared deceased at the scene. Detectives from the Martinez Police Department Investigations Bureau responded to the scene along with crime scene investigators from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect fled the scene in a Cadillac SUV vehicle.
A photograph of the suspect and vehicle have been provided by police.
The investigation is active and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Dominguez at (925) 372-3451 or at [email protected].
