Suspect in beating outside Richmond BART station arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
MARTINEZ — A man wanted for the vicious beating of another person at the Richmond BART station last month has been arrested, authorities said Tuesday.
In a statement, BART officials said the 45-year-old Fairfield resident was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for the Jan. 2 attack. The man remained at the Martinez Detention Facility on Tuesday in lieu of $1.08 million bail, according to jail records. He also is suspected of battery with great bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said.
Police interviewed witnesses and officers at the scene and issued a Ramey warrant for his arrest. Investigators arrested the man Monday at about 2:40 p.m. in Martinez, according to BART.
According to authorities, the suspect walked up to a male waiting in line at the ticket-fare machine about 2:30 p.m. and punched him without provocation one time with his right hand. The punch appeared to knock out the victim, and the suspect stomped on his groin and head while the victim was unconscious, police said. The blow to the head caused blood to splatter.
One witness who spoke with police said the suspect uttered words such as, “I would kill,” or, “That’s what happens when,” during the beating, authorities said. The witness told police it appeared the suspect was trying to “eliminate the victim,” authorities said.
The victim suffered major injuries and went by ambulance to Highland Hospital in Oakland, according to police. He spent three days in a medically induced coma before recovering, police said.
Investigators used Clipper card information and video to track and identify the suspect, and authorities said BART posted a picture of the suspect and a companion with him on its social media Jan. 28. A Contra Costa County probation officer identified both of them, and authorities subsequently issued the warrant.
The suspect has a long criminal history, according to authorities. Among his previous convictions are cases of battery, pimping and human trafficking, authorities said.