Two Men Suspected of Murder Held in Custody in Lieu of $3 Million Bond
PITTSBURG — Two men facing enhanced murder charges are each being held in custody in lieu of $3 million bond. They allegedly murdered a man who arranged to meet with them in December 2020.
The victim 19-year-old Malik Pittman of Pittsburg was last seen alive on December 29. His bullet-riddled body was found two days later, dumped on a remote road in Salinas.
Pittsburg detectives determined the victim was seated inside a parked vehicle with two other men when he was fatally shot. The vehicle fled from the 400 block of East Santa Fe Avenue after several shots were fired.
The suspects drove away with the victim’s body in the back seat. On the last day of 2020, Pittsburg PD was notified by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office that they found Pittman’s body.
An extensive investigation was launched, which culminated in arrest and search warrants executed in Concord and Walnut Creek. Both suspects are believed to be criminal gang members.
Pittsburg police arrested them on Ramey Warrants June 28. Shane K. Loudon, 20 of Concord, and Steven J. Falkenstine, 22 of Walnut Creek, were booked into county jail.
Both men remain in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of murder. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was expected to file charges on July 1 for murder, with firearm and gang enhancements.
Loudon is no stranger to law enforcement. Loudon has several prior arrests on his record. These include arrests in March of this year for street terrorism, robbery, and weapons-related charges. He was also arrested for robbery in 2020.
