Charges refiled in high-speed chase

As expected, local prosecutors refiled charges against a Tucumcari man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in August after the original charges were dismissed.

Anthony Martinez, 22, again faces counts of aggravated fleeing law enforcement, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property of over $1,000, criminal trespassing and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

Three of the charges are fourth-degree felonies that could have led up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

According to online court documents, the charges were refiled Jan. 15.

Tucumcari Magistrate Judge Timothy O’Quinn in late December issued an order dismissing the complaint against Martinez without prejudice, meaning the complaint could be refiled later. O’Quinn in his order stated the dismissal occurred “upon expiration of time limits for conducting a preliminary examination.”

District Attorney Timothy Rose explained that Martinez, who was incarcerated in the Department of Corrections, couldn’t appear in court because of COVID-19 quarantine issues at the time. Rose said he would refiled charges once Martinez was out of quarantine.

According to an initial probable-cause statement initially filed by Tucumcari police officer Justin Garcia, he staked out a motel room on East Tucumcari Boulevard as another officer was preparing a search warrant for Martinez, who had an arrest warrant against him and was living at the motel.

Garcia said Martinez saw the police vehicle, entered a Hyundai car without a license plate or temporary tag and drove east. Garcia stated he turned on his cruiser’s emergency lights, but Martinez refused to pull over.

Garcia said Martinez ran a red light at U.S. 54 and went north. Garcia said Martinez’s speed five miles northeast of Tucumcari reached about 100 mph, and the suspect had weaved around other vehicles.

The Hyundai turned south onto Airport Road at a high speed and turned west onto Interstate 40, again reaching speeds of about 100 mph.

Martinez’s car exited back onto Tucumcari Boulevard and cut off another vehicle. A Quay County sheriff’s deputy, parked on the median, tried to use stop sticks to disable Martinez’s vehicle. The Hyundai swerved around the deputy’s car onto the wrong side of the road.

Martinez continued on the wrong side of the road as he crossed U.S. 54 and nearly struck a vehicle at First Street.

The Hyundai turned north onto Ninth Street. Martinez jumped out of the vehicle to flee, causing the rolling car to crash into a building, leaving a hole in the wall and damaging a pillar.

The building’s owner arrived at the scene, and officers and a police dog were allowed inside. They arrested Martinez in the attic and booked him into the Quay County Detention Center

Public defender Anna Aragon is listed as Martinez’s lawyer. She has declined to comment.