Two jailed on felony charges in escape

A Tucumcari woman and a Massachusetts man were jailed on felony charges Sunday after the woman was accused of opening a Tucumcari Police Department squad car door after his initial arrest and let him escape. He was captured minutes later.

Maria Renee Apodaca, 19, was charged with assisting escape, conspiracy, criminal damage to property over $1,000 and criminal damage to property under $1,000.

The escape count is a third-degree felony that can lead up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The conspiracy and one of the criminal damage counts are fourth-degree felonies that can lead up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Austin Martinez, 24, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with escape from the custody of a peace officer, conspiracy, criminal damage to property over $1,000 and criminal damage to property under $1,000. Three of the four counts are fourth-degree felonies.

According to a complaint filed by Tucumcari police officer Herman Martinez, officers were called to the Quay Apartments to investigate damage to property. A tenant told officers Austin Martinez had broken a window to his apartment.

Austin Martinez was found walking in an alley near the complex and was advised by officers of the accusation against him. The suspect said he “did what he did” because his phone had been stolen. Martinez was arrested and placed in the rear seat of the officer’s patrol car as more information was gathered.

While an office spoke to the apartments’ manager, Apodaca opened the door to the squad car, allowing Martinez to flee. The suspect had dismantled the plastic and wiring on the squad car’s door before he was freed.

Other officers later found Austin Martinez hiding in a boat on Seventh Street near the apartments and took him into custody. While being detained in another squad car, the suspect tried to break out the window of the car and broke a rear radar antenna bracket.

Apodaca also was identified as the woman who opened the squad car door and was detained at the complex. The complaint stated she admitted to polic to opening the door after she was asked to do so by Martinez.

Magistrate Judge Timothy O’Quinn on Monday placed both Austin Martinez and Apodaca in a no-bond hold.

No lawyers for Apodaca and Austin Martinez were listed in online court records.