Felon Accused In Gruesome Stabbing Charged With Parole Violation

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — A gruesome stabbing happened in Hayward on Jan. 30, with the victim's intestines protruding from his abdominal wound, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. The victim underwent emergency surgery and survived his injuries.

Investigators identified the suspect as Robert Barroca, 59, a convicted felon on federal probation whose criminal history includes attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, other weapon violations, criminal threats, battery, and drug violations.

The victim later positively identified Barroca as the person who stabbed him, and an Alameda County judge granted an arrest warrant for Barroca.

ALSO SEE: Convicted Sex Offender Arrested In Fremont

On May 16, a Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) ranger saw Barroca at Meek Estate Park and notified the sheriff's office. Deputies responded and found Barroca behind a fence of a neighboring residence. He was still wearing the clothing worn on the day of the stabbing, according to the sheriff's office. Barroca also possessed gloves, a ski mask, and a flashlight.

"Investigators presented Barroca's case to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, who declined to file charges against Barroca for the violent attack," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Investigators learned that Barroca was on federal probation for a drug-related crime, so they changed their approach, reporting the stabbing to Barroca's federal probation officer.

The probation officer sought an arrest warrant for Barroca on a federal probation violation due to his ongoing threat to the community. On May 30, U.S. Marshals took him into federal custody. They searched Barroca's residence and located additional violations, according to the sheriff's office.

"We want to thank our partners at HARD, the U.S. Probation Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their efforts and assistance with this investigation and for taking Barroca off the streets of Alameda County," the sheriff's office concluded.