On 6-13-15, at about 7:30 PM, officers were sent to meet a vehicle owner that reported that she had found her stolen yellow Dodge pickup at a home in the 3700 block of S. Taylor. The vehicle was not listed as stolen, so officers responded to determine if this was a civil dispute or unreported auto theft. While officers were talking to the owner, they saw the yellow pickup drive out of the alley and drive away. Officers stopped it in the 3800 block of S. Taylor. The passenger immediately got out and started walking away. One officer detained this suspect, Martin Hernandez HM 33 of Amarillo. He was found to be in possession of a clear glass pipe used to smoke narcotics, and was placed under arrest. Officers spoke to the driver and secured consent to search the vehicle. They saw a black bag on the passenger floorboard and determined that Hernandez was the owner of that bag. Officers found a loaded .45 caliber handgun, digital scales, and clear bags containing a white powder that appears to be cocaine in the bag. Additional investigation indicated that Hernandez had a previous felony conviction and four traffic warrants. Hernandez was placed in a patrol car while officers finished processing the vehicle to return it to the registered owner. While officers were processing the vehicle, the suspect was able to force open a door of the patrol car. Officers saw him get out of the car and run south, still handcuffed. Officers caught up with the suspect and took him back into custody at the end of the block. He was taken to the Randall County Jail, where he was booked for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance over 4 grams/less than 200 grams, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, escape while arrested/confined for a felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the four traffic warrant charges. The driver, Arnoldo Eloera HM 28, was arrested and booked for two outstanding traffic warrants. Officers determined that the vehicle was part of a civil dispute of ownership, rather than stolen. It was returned to the owner that had originally called the police.
