Man, 35, Accused Of Leading St. Paul Police On 2 Chases

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – A 35-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly getting away from police in two chases earlier this month and possessing an AK-47 with a scratched off serial number.

Lorenzo Max Martinez, whose last address is unknown, is charged with one count of possessing a firearm with an altered serial number, one count of car theft and two counts fleeing police, documents filed in Dakota County show.

According to a criminal complaint, police first tried to arrest Martinez on Aug. 8, when he was believed to be in possession of a stolen Ford Fusion and an AK-47. Unmarked police SUVs spotted the car, which had dealer plates, in a parking lot near the 700 block of Stryker Street. When police surrounded Martinez, he refused to listen to commands to surrender and drove the car off a 10 foot wall and into someone's yard.

The car hit the ground with its front bumper and had its rear bumper "straight up in the air," the complaint states. But when the car eventually fell level on the ground, it took off going east on Page Street and continued through several intersections. Since officers were able to identify Martinez, they did not pursue.

Days later, police learned Martinez was on the 100 block of Winnifred Street with the same stolen car, the complaint states. On Aug. 17, police tried to trap the car in an alley early that morning. In response, Martinez drove through a yard and ended up wedging the car between a house and a tree. Since the car was stuck, he got out and fled on foot.

Again, Martinez was able to escape, but police recovered an AK-47 in the car. Its serial number had been totally obliterated, and the magazine was loaded.

The next day, police arrested Martinez in nearby Newport. He was staying at a motel and police negotiated with him over the phone. Once in custody, he declined a formal interview.

Police said Martinez has a lengthy criminal history, with convictions for fleeing police, theft and unlawful receipt of an explosive device.

If convicted of all the recent charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine.