Men Suspected of Murdering Woman, Dumping Body in Rockridge, Go Before Judge

The two men suspected of murdering and burning a Union City woman before dumping her body in Rockridge over a year ago, appeared in court Thursday morning to be formally charged.

Late last month, the two suspected gang members, Salvador Valasco, 23, and Hector Garcia, 32, were ordered to stand trial for the kidnapping and murder of Monica Rodas-Alfaro. The crime took place in Oakland in July, 2011. Rodas-Alfaro's body was found near the Rockridge BART Station.

The two men are scheduled for a preliminary hearing later in October.

Patch coverage of the crime:

• Witness Says Slain Woman Was Threatened with Torch
• Burning Body Found in Oakland Identified as Union City Woman
• Even more backstory.

*Patch plans to have the latest in the trial of two men suspected of murdering an East Bay woman and dumping her body in Rockridge. What Rockridge crime stories are most important to you? Let us know so we can follow up. Email Editor Laila Kearney, laila.kearney@patch.com.