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Aaron Martinez, 32, who is accused of attacking two Redwood City police officers with a bottle of alcohol after panhandling at Sequoia Station Safeway, is starting his second day of trial on March 20.
Martinez is charged with two counts of assaulting a peace officer, inflicting great bodily injury, resisting arrest, and petty theft for an incident on July 26, 2024.
He was already on parole for resisting an executive officer at the time.
Officers were called out to the Sequoia Station Safeway at 8:30 p.m. due to reports of Martinez panhandling. When officers approached him, he allegedly cursed them out and entered the Safeway.
Martinez then allegedly exited the Safeway with two glass bottles of alcohol. “It was apparent to the officers that he had not paid for the alcohol as he was not in the store long enough to have checked out,” a press release at the time stated.
When one of the officers attempted to question Martinez, he was struck in the face with one of the bottles causing cuts to the officer’s face and requiring stitches. Attempts by the officers to use their Tasers to subdue the man were ineffective, police said.
Martinez shoved one officer who fell and fractured his ankle, the District Attorney’s office claims.
“A large crowd gathered and displayed antagonistic behavior towards the officers,” police said in a press release. “San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist with separating the crowd from the arresting officers and provided scene security.”
When finally arrested, Martinez was charged with theft, assault with a deadly weapon, assault on an officer, and resisting arrest.
One officer suffered a fractured ankle, and another had a cut to the head that required stitches. Both were treated at a local hospital and released, police said.
During the first day of the trial, the prosecution called three officers to testify. The District Attorney’s office will continue to present evidence, according to a press release.
Martinez has two prior convictions for robbery in 2012 and burglary in 2014.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
Thanks for this article Arden. I read this and think, this sounds so much like a person who has mental issues and/or drug and alcohol. And unfortunately most likely he will go to jail or maybe prison as he assaulted an officer. There it is unlikely he will get mental health or substance abuse therapy. Then a bit down the road, he will be released again, in worse condition than when he was arrested. My question is, what is the value in this??? To anyone, to Mr. Martinez or to society???