https://www.valleycentral.com/news/...ti-agency-pursuit-investigation-underway/amp/
Very tragic news out of the Valley today. RIP Lt. Milton Resendez!
Here is a summary of the actions:
Sir, below is the latest: Yesterday, a Cameron County Park Police Officer stopped a GMC pickup for speeding on South Padre Island. The vehicle was occupied by two males, two females, and two infant children. At the officer's request, the driver, identified as Rogelio Martinez Jr. stepped out of the vehicle. The passenger was identified as Rodrigo Axel Espinoza-Valdez. During the contact, Martinez attempted to return to the vehicle, and a struggle ensued. Espinoza-Valdez jumped into the driver seat and started the pickup, as Martinez jumped in the truck bed as they sped off. The officer initiated a pursuit towards Brownsville.
During the pursuit, Martinez climbed back into the front passenger seat of the pickup. A Cameron County Deputy Constable took the lead in the pursuit. Martinez began firing rounds at the pursuing Constable with a rifle. The Constable pursued the pickup, and returned fire with his pistol through his windshield. DPS Troopers joined the pursuit, and the Constable's vehicle, as well as two DPS patrol vehicles, were struck by gunfire multiple times by the passenger (Martinez) shooting out of the fleeing pickup, causing the pursuing Constable and Troopers to create distance. They temporarily lost sight of the vehicle and a short time later, Troopers located the pickup wrecked and disabled a few blocks away. Both Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez had already fled the scene. Troopers detained the two female passengers, identified as Kathrine Darlene Martinez and Brisa Kareli Ortega-Coronado and two children.
Kathrine Martinez cooperated with Troopers and identified herself as the sister of Rogelio Martinez and provided his cell number. At that time, it was discovered that the Martinez's are local to Brownsville. DPS Special Agents initiated an exigent geolocate (phone-ping) on R. Martinez's cell phone and successfully narrow the location to the area of 17th Street & Ringgold Street in Brownsville. DPS Troopers and Special Agents survielled the area. At approximately 10:40 PM, they observed a vehicle in the vicinity of where Martinez's phone had consistently pinged. The registered owner of the vehicle had a known nexus to Martinez. Minutes later, Troopers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle, and a second pursuit ensued. At approximately 10:45 PM, DPS SWAT Operators responded to provide tactical support.
The pursuit traveled from Brownsville to San Benito, where at approximately 11:08 PM, San Benito PD Officer Milton Resendez (H/M DOB:09/02/69) was shot through his patrol vehicle by the suspect vehicle's passenger (Martinez). The vehicle then fled back to the city of Brownsville. At approximately 11:20 PM, DPS Texas Ranger SWAT Operator shot the rear tires of the suspect vehicle and later successfully initiated a PIT maneuver on the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Ringgold St. & International Blvd. A short foot pursuit ensued, ultimately leading to the arrests of both Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez. iBoth suspects were armed with semi-automatic pistols, and an additional handgun was inside the suspect vehicle.
Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez were transported to the Brownsville DPS office, where Martinez consented to a custodial interview conducted by Texas Rangers. During the interview, Martinez confessed to being the shooter and admitted to shooting Officer Resendez's vehicle. In addition, Martinez escorted Rangers to a field in the area of Ringgold St., where he discarded the rifle used in the first incident.
Officer Resendez was transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, where he died as a result of his injuries. Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez will be charged with Felony Evading, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, and Capital Murder of a Peace Officer.
The Texas Rangers have the lead this investigation assisted by the Brownsville Police Department.
Very tragic news out of the Valley today. RIP Lt. Milton Resendez!
Here is a summary of the actions:
Sir, below is the latest: Yesterday, a Cameron County Park Police Officer stopped a GMC pickup for speeding on South Padre Island. The vehicle was occupied by two males, two females, and two infant children. At the officer's request, the driver, identified as Rogelio Martinez Jr. stepped out of the vehicle. The passenger was identified as Rodrigo Axel Espinoza-Valdez. During the contact, Martinez attempted to return to the vehicle, and a struggle ensued. Espinoza-Valdez jumped into the driver seat and started the pickup, as Martinez jumped in the truck bed as they sped off. The officer initiated a pursuit towards Brownsville.
During the pursuit, Martinez climbed back into the front passenger seat of the pickup. A Cameron County Deputy Constable took the lead in the pursuit. Martinez began firing rounds at the pursuing Constable with a rifle. The Constable pursued the pickup, and returned fire with his pistol through his windshield. DPS Troopers joined the pursuit, and the Constable's vehicle, as well as two DPS patrol vehicles, were struck by gunfire multiple times by the passenger (Martinez) shooting out of the fleeing pickup, causing the pursuing Constable and Troopers to create distance. They temporarily lost sight of the vehicle and a short time later, Troopers located the pickup wrecked and disabled a few blocks away. Both Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez had already fled the scene. Troopers detained the two female passengers, identified as Kathrine Darlene Martinez and Brisa Kareli Ortega-Coronado and two children.
Kathrine Martinez cooperated with Troopers and identified herself as the sister of Rogelio Martinez and provided his cell number. At that time, it was discovered that the Martinez's are local to Brownsville. DPS Special Agents initiated an exigent geolocate (phone-ping) on R. Martinez's cell phone and successfully narrow the location to the area of 17th Street & Ringgold Street in Brownsville. DPS Troopers and Special Agents survielled the area. At approximately 10:40 PM, they observed a vehicle in the vicinity of where Martinez's phone had consistently pinged. The registered owner of the vehicle had a known nexus to Martinez. Minutes later, Troopers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle, and a second pursuit ensued. At approximately 10:45 PM, DPS SWAT Operators responded to provide tactical support.
The pursuit traveled from Brownsville to San Benito, where at approximately 11:08 PM, San Benito PD Officer Milton Resendez (H/M DOB:09/02/69) was shot through his patrol vehicle by the suspect vehicle's passenger (Martinez). The vehicle then fled back to the city of Brownsville. At approximately 11:20 PM, DPS Texas Ranger SWAT Operator shot the rear tires of the suspect vehicle and later successfully initiated a PIT maneuver on the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Ringgold St. & International Blvd. A short foot pursuit ensued, ultimately leading to the arrests of both Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez. iBoth suspects were armed with semi-automatic pistols, and an additional handgun was inside the suspect vehicle.
Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez were transported to the Brownsville DPS office, where Martinez consented to a custodial interview conducted by Texas Rangers. During the interview, Martinez confessed to being the shooter and admitted to shooting Officer Resendez's vehicle. In addition, Martinez escorted Rangers to a field in the area of Ringgold St., where he discarded the rifle used in the first incident.
Officer Resendez was transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, where he died as a result of his injuries. Martinez and Espinoza-Valdez will be charged with Felony Evading, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, and Capital Murder of a Peace Officer.
The Texas Rangers have the lead this investigation assisted by the Brownsville Police Department.
