Suspect Arrested In Concord Homeless Man's Death
CONCORD (CBS SF) -- Authorities on Monday identified both the victim and suspect in an apparent homicide behind a shopping center in Concord on Sunday morning.
The victim was identified by the Contra Costa County coroner's office as 49-year-old John Newman, who was found by police and firefighters who responded to a shopping center in the 1700 block of Monument Boulevard regarding an unconscious homeless man.
Newman, a transient, was found behind the vacant Hollywood Video store in a makeshift homeless encampment and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Police determined Newman had been assaulted, and detectives developed information about a suspect who had allegedly attacked him. Around 8:30 p.m., officers spotted the suspect, Jason Charles Cahall, walking on Monument Boulevard near Virginia Lane, police said.
Cahall was taken into custody and interviewed by the detectives, and was subsequently booked into county jail on suspicion of murder and robbery, according to police.
No other suspects are being sought in connection with the homicide, Concord's first of 2012, but the investigation into the case is ongoing, police said.
Anyone with information about the death is asked to call Detective Greg Pardella at (925) 603-5922. People wishing to remain anonymous can call the Police Department's tip line at (925) 603-5836.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
