Full Notification

WALNUT CREEK POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Chief of Police Thomas Chaplin
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For Immediate Release
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WCPD Case Number: 14-18970

Date / Time Occurred: 6-23-14 at 1923 hours

Crime Description / Code: Residential Burlgary (PC 459),
Assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245)
Parole Violation (PC 3056)

Suspect: James Murdaugh, 51 year old male

Press Release Prepared By: Acting Sergeant Scott Moorhouse
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On 6-23-14, at approximately 1923 hours, WCPD received a report of a disturbance in the 500 Block of Civic Drive at the Boulders Apartment complex. Officers arrived within minutes and detained the suspect, James Murdaugh. Through the course of the officer’s investigation, it was determined that the suspect had just committed a residential burglary and when trying to flee the victim residence was confronted by a neighbor. The citizen was able to physically subdue the suspect until officers arrived and took him into custody. During the altercation, the suspect stabbed the citizen in the leg with a screwdriver. A passerby came upon the scene and called 911.

The citizen suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. The victims of the residential burglary were not at home at the time of burglary.

Murdaugh, who is on parole for burglary, was arrested and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical treatment prior to being booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the above charges.