KINGSTON, Okla. – It’s the third chase in three days right here in Texoma. And like the last two, this one ends with the suspect in custody. It started in Durant and ended in just outside of Kingston. Mystic Matthews explains what happened.
Officials say it all started around 6:00pm Wednesday, in Durant. It only lasted about 15 minutes, but officers say they did reach speeds of 70 miles an hour on Highway 70.
Officials say Joe Martinez of Durant violated a protective order by showing up at his wife's house. Reports say he was also intoxicated and assaulting people.
Bryan County Under Sheriff Ken Golden says Martinez broke-in through the kitchen window and while the wife was talking to 9-1-1 dispatchers, he got their young son and left.
Officers attempted to stop him on Highway 70 in Durant, but Martinez took off headed west.
Officials say he made it to Kingston where he ran through two road blocks and avoided stop sticks, also running two other vehicles off the road.
When Martinez started heading back east on Highway 70, officers stepped in to stop him for good.
Golden says, “They tried to make a rolling road block where they get in behind him and on the sides. They forced him off the road in to an open area and pinned him in with vehicles."
Martinez was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
There were reports of gunshots during the chase, but the Under Sheriff says no shots were confirmed.
Martinez is in the Bryan County Jail facing a list of charges there and possible felony charges in Marshall County.
As for his son, although officials say he was not restrained during the pursuit, he was not hurt. He is back in the care of his mother.