Crime Spree Led to Calif. Officer-Involved Shooting

Feb. 14, 2014
Police say the man used a stolen car to ram a crusier before he was shot by an officer over the weekend.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A shotgun-wielding man wanted for burglary attacked a slumbering family in their home, carjacked someone else, and used that vehicle to ram a patrol car before he was shot and wounded by an officer over the weekend, according to San Jose police.

Investigators on Thursday detailed the alleged East San Jose crime spree that ended with the shooting of 28-year-old Gulmaro Barandales Martinez early Sunday. Jail records show Martinez remains in the hospital under police monitoring and, once he is released, will be jailed on $400,000 bail.

Martinez, who is expected to survive, was already wanted on a $250,000 felony burglary warrant when around 2:30 a.m. Sunday he reportedly broke into a home on Waterman Court, a couple blocks east of where North White and Mabury roads meet. Once inside, he startled the residents awake and attacked two adults and a minor, inflicting head injuries, police said.

He then made his way three streets north to Holly Drive, where around 3 a.m. he stopped a vehicle and forced the driver out. With the stolen ride, he fled, but was quickly spotted by patrol officers who drove after him, according to police.

Martinez then led a five-minute chase through the suburban neighborhood before he turned into Kotake Court right off North White Road, where at least one police cruiser blocked him in, police said. He rammed the police car in an escape attempt, injuring Officer Marco Monzon, who in turn opened fire on Martinez.

The suspect was hit twice, but continued to fight with police. He bit one officer before he was subdued, police said. The shotgun he allegedly used over the course of the night was recovered.

According to charges filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, Martinez faces six counts of assault with deadly weapon -- the three home attack victims, Officer Monzon and two other officers -- along with the burglary count he was wanted for, and carjacking.

Police said none of the officers involved was seriously injured. The three victims of the home attack were taken to the hospital where they were treated for head injuries, including cuts.

Monzon, 29, who has been with SJPD for five years, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation monitored by the District Attorney's Office, which is routine after officer-involved shootings.

Copyright 2014 - San Jose Mercury News

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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