A 40-year-old man, Larry Ridge Jr., has been charged with the heinous crimes of rape and robbery near the North Concord BART station. The incident, described as an attack on a randomly-selected victim, has sent shockwaves through the community. Ridge is set to be arraigned before Judge Patricia Scanlon on Thursday afternoon.
Records show that Ridge had previously served a life sentence for two second-degree murder convictions dating back to 2004. However, a change in California law led to his release from jail in 2019. The convictions were a result of a quadruple shooting in Oakland, where Ridge’s brother, Donald Jones, fired a rifle from a van, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old boy and injuries to another teenager. Ridge was convicted of murder and attempted murder but qualified for a reduced sentence under SB 1437, a state law implemented in 2019.
Authorities reveal that Ridge was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of sexual battery in San Mateo County. Additionally, Contra Costa court records indicate that he served a 120-day jail sentence for a parole violation in 2022.
In the recent sexual assault case in Concord, authorities allege that Ridge attacked a woman who had just exited the BART station and walked onto a nearby trail. The victim and Ridge were not acquainted, according to authorities.
Ridge is currently being held in county jail, and the finalization of his bail amount is expected to take place during his court appearance on Thursday.
