Erik Valdez-Martinez: Mini Draco, marijuana, & THC cartridges, Oh My!

19-year-old Erik Valdez-Martinez was jailed on March 23rd after fleeing from the police. Detectives conducted surveillance on Elm Pike and observed a black Mercedes Sedan with temp tags that didn’t match the vehicle. Valdez had left a home on Elm Hill Pike with a rifle tucked under his jacket, as well as a bag slung over his shoulder. He got into the back seat of the Mercedes, and they left the location. Detectives and an aviation unit followed the car. The vehicle eventually ended up at Vultee Boulevard, where detectives attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

The vehicle fled from the traffic stop, and spike strips were deployed. As the vehicle continued to flee, aviation updated the vehicle’s location so detectives could follow its path. Valdez fled the vehicle with a black backpack near Kirby Avenue towards Briley Parkway. Detectives chased him on foot, yelling for him to stop. After the foot chase, a search of the backpack yielded three bags of marijuana totaling 87 grams. A box of plastic baggies, six boxes of THC cartridges, and a mini-Draco. He also admitted the 20-round magazine was his for the Draco. Three juveniles were also in the vehicle.