Wanted Parolee Found In Walnut Creek

A parolee at large, James G. Beldin, wanted by the Concord Police Department, was captured in Walnut Creek this afternoon, thanks to citizens who recognized him from recent news postings, police said.

An astute citizen saw the wanted suspect, 52, in the San Miguel Shopping Center at 1270 Newell Avenue and contacted police at 1:22 p.m., police said.

Beldin, a registered sex offender, was wanted in connection to a July 31 case in which he allegedly accosted a female shopper in a store on the 1600 block of Willow Pass Road, according to the Concord Police Department.

Beldin, on parole for committing lewd and lascivious acts, came up behind the woman and allegedly cut off a lock of her hair, which he then proceeded to smell in front of her before running off, police said. After fleeing the scene, Beldin cut off his ankle monitor, so that he could no longer be tracked by parole authorities, according to the department.

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Police report that Beldin today appeared to be engaged in possibly “more lewd and lascivious behavior” in the Newell Avenue and Broadway area of Walnut Creek, and citizens called the Walnut Creek police.

Walnut Creek officers located Beldin’s vehicle in the parking lot, saw him near the intersection of Broadway and Newell, and took him into custody after a brief foot pursuit, according to the Walnut Creek department. Officers said Beldin allegedly attempted to photograph the undergarments of a female wearing a skirt in downtown Walnut Creek.

Officers from the Concord PD took custody of Beldin, and transported him to the Contra Costa County Jail, where he will be placed on a no-bail parole hold.

Anyone with additional information about Beldin, or this case, may contact Detective Josh Graham at 925-603-5864, or the Concord Police Department Tip Line at 925-603-5836.