The scene on Arroyo Lane Friday where two men crashed a truck into two cars.  Courtesy photo

Charges have been filed against two men arrested by the Los Alamos police shortly before 10 p.m. Friday after they fled from Smith’s Marketplace in a pick-up and allegedly attempted to run down LAPD Cpl. Robert Larsen. One shot was fired by police during the incident and the truck struck two cars and several mail boxes.

Joel Martin, 30, of Albuquerque and Stephen Montano, 22, of Grants, both had first appearances before Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados Monday and are slated for preliminary examination Sept. 8.

Both men are charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated fleeing of a police officer, reckless driving, accidents involving damage to vehicle, criminal damage to property, and shoplifting of more than $250 and not more than $2,500. Montano also was charged on two active bench warrants from Cibola County.

Martin also faces a hearing before First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer Thursday in Santa Fe on an expedited motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Kent Wahlquist asking that he be held without bond until release is addressed by the District Court.

Wahlquist’s motion states that while fleeing the scene of a shoplifting incident, Martin was stopped by Cpl. Larsen, ignored his commands and drove a vehicle at him nearly striking him. After narrowly missing Larsen, Martin drove off the street running over multiple mail boxes before crashing into vehicles where the vehicle became inoperable.

The motion says Martin ran from the scene and when found by LAPS officers, again tried to run away but officers were able to arrest him.

“He later admitted to driving the vehicle. A gun was found near where (Martin) was found and he made statements on jailhouse calls that he had the gun and tried to dispose of it before he was arrested,” the motion states.

Wahlquist’s motion maintains that no condition of release will reasonably protect the safety of others and the community itself.

Statements of probable cause filed in Magistrate Court by Cpl. Jemuel Montoya indicate that LAPD Dispatch advised him that a suspicious male was knocking on the front door of a home on Rim Road telling occupants he needed a phone to call for a ride. The reporting person told Dispatch they advised the man he would have to wait somewhere else.

Cpl. Montoya found Montano hiding between a bush and a house on Pinon Loop wearing one shoe with brush and grass stains on his pants. Martin was caught when he jumped out of a back yard on Arroyo Lane and attempted to flee again on East Road.

Chief Dino Sgambellone told the Los Alamos Daily Post Saturday that there were four individuals in the truck and two of them successfully fled the scene on foot and no longer were thought to be in the area. Police also arrested three females, apparently called to pick up the absconders, and booked them on drug-related charges.​

​Cmdr. Preston Ballew said Tuesday that the case is still active and the Department is working on some leads. He said police initially believed there were four suspects in the truck, but now believe there were only three. He suggested safety tips for citizens when out shopping, including parking closer to the store, shopping before dark when possible, and if followed, call 911 or drive to the police station at 2500 Trinity Dr. He also advises that if someone tries to steal your purse, don’t fight them for it.