Man Accused Of Holding Contra Costa Family Hostage Is Back In Jail: DA

EAST BAY, CA — A man accused of holding a Lafayette family hostage for hours in September 2022 was recently a fugitive of the law.

Kenneth David McIsaac, 32, was on the lam for about three weeks after he fled a court-ordered mental health diversion program, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office said.

Tuesday night, McIsaac was apprehended in Oakland by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Safe Streets Task Force, a joint law enforcement effort comprised of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, federal partners and local law enforcement agencies.

A little over a year ago, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 12-count felony complaint against McIsaac related to an armed home invasion incident in Lafayette wherein McIsaac held a family hostage for hours.

According to prosecutors, around 3 p.m. Sept. 24, 2022, a mother and her daughter were walking back to their apartment complex in Lafayette when McIsaac forced them into their residence at gunpoint and for several hours, he held the entire family of four as hostages.

At one point during the ordeal, one of the parents broke free and physically overpowered McIsaac.

Police and emergency crews arrived after a 911 call was placed, and McIsaac was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was booked into jail Sept. 7, 2022.

At a court date last October, Mcisaac was arraigned on charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence, second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, criminal threats and child abuse.

He pleaded not guilty and was in custody for around one year.

Then, on Sept. 5, 2023, against vigorous opposition from the DA’s Office, the court determined a mental health diversion program would provide more effective treatment for McIsaac’s condition and released him from custody, the DA's Office said.

McIsaac fled from the court-ordered mental health diversion program Oct. 24 and a warrant for his arrest was issued shortly after his disappearance.

Following his apprehension this week, McIsaac was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

At a hearing Wednesday in front of Judge Julia Campins, McIsaac’s mental health diversion status was terminated at the request of District Attorney Diana Becton.

He remained in custody Thursday without bail.

Criminal proceedings are set to resume against McIsaac on Nov. 29 in Martinez.

• RELATED READING: Lamorinda Man Charged In Home Invasion: Contra Costa DA