Crime & Safety

Neighbor Suspected in Alamo Woman's Death

A dispute with neighbors over property turned deadly. Michael Littman, 59, was arrested in connection with the death of Doris Penico, who hit her head on a cement driveway.

A 59-year-old Alamo man was arrested in connection with the death of Doris Penico on Thursday afternoon, Contra Costa County Sheriff's spokesperson Jimmy Lee said.

At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, police arrested Michael Littman at his home on the 3000 block of Stonegate Drive in Alamo for homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and felony battery. Police are holding him at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1 million bail.

On Monday around 11 a.m. Littman got into a fight with Penico's husband in the driveway on 3000 block of Stonegate Drive. During the fight, Doris was struck to the ground and hit her head on the cement driveway, according to Lee.

Penico, 59, was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where she later died. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

The neighbors have been involved in a dispute regarding property, Lee said.

Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.