Photo: Mark W. Banducci
WALNUT CREEK — A man is being held in custody in lieu of $1 million bond for allegedly committing a murder in Civic Park. The suspect was located and arrested about three miles away from the crime scene.
On May 10 at 5:38 a.m., officers investigating a report of an assault found the victim lying on the ground unconscious. The victim who suffered head injuries was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The park features playgrounds for children, gardens, picnic areas, walking trails, plus a community center and library branch. However, the park gets rowdy at night, when it is frequented by homeless persons and illicit drug users.
Investigators spoke with witnesses who saw the victim being assaulted near a gazebo. Investigators quickly identified the suspect who is believed responsible for the attack.
Officers in plain clothes searched near the park and fanned out looking for him. He was located a few hours later, walking near Contra Costa Boulevard and Crescent Drive in nearby Pleasant Hill.
Uniformed Walnut Creek officers responded and arrested 63-year-old Mark W.Banducci at 10:21 a.m. Banducci lived in Concord before he apparently became homeless.
He was transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Prior to this incident, he was arrested in April by Concord police for vandalism.
The park murder investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information can call Walnut Creek police detective Kim Gerstner at 925-256-3578.
