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Police arrest stabbing suspect
Victim was attacked at Redcoats Pub

by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

Pleasanton police arrested Santiago Valencia, 29, of Livermore last Friday on a charge of a stabbing that occurred behind the Redcoats British Pub and Restaurant on Jan. 5.

"Our investigation identified Valencia as the suspect, and through witness and victim interviews it was determined the stabbing was motivated by a disagreement between two people who have a mutual female friend in common," police said in a press release Wednesday.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Valencia, who came to the Police Department and surrendered to officers. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail for one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and his bail is set at $180,000.

"Evidence shows this was not gang-related but an isolated incident," police said.

The male victim, 27, who was stabbed in the back, did not immediately seek help but waited until shortly after 8 a.m. the next morning to go to the Emergency Room at ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton. He said he had been involved in a fight the previous night and was stabbed. He was treated and released from the hospital.

As part of the investigation, the victim, a Pleasanton resident, reported he went to pick up his girlfriend who reported she was being harassed by a male at a bar.

The victim arrived at the rear of Redcoats, which is located in the 300 block of St. Mary Street, and an altercation ensued between him and the other male, police said. During the altercation, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim once in the back. The suspect then fled the area on foot.

The victim left the scene with his girlfriend believing the wound was not serious. It was not until the next morning that he realized he needed medical attention.

Police received a call of a fight at approximately 12:37 a.m. Jan. 5 in the parking lot to the rear of the Redcoats Pub. The caller reported two males fighting and that a female was possibly involved. Officers responded and checked the area at the time but could not locate any of the involved parties or witnesses.