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home / Public Safety
Illegal immigrant deported three times arrested on weapons, assault charges
Received from Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Thursday, October 4, 2012
STANFIELD, AZ -- An illegal immigrant from Mexico, who had been previously deported from the U.S. on three separate occasions has been arrested after pointing a stolen handgun at an elementary school security guard.
On September 15, 2012, at approximately 11:31 A.M., Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) deputies were dispatched to the Stanfield Elementary School after a security guard witnessed an unknown male subject walking from inside a locked gate on school property and then attempted to confront him.
The man, identified as Saul Martinez, 23, became irritated when asked what he was doing on school property, pulled a .40 caliber handgun from his waist and pointed it at the guard saying, “Back off.”
The guard went to his truck and called 9-1-1 as Martinez walked to a mobile home and changed shirts. The guard then drove to a nearby Circle K gas station as Martinez followed him on foot. Martinez confronted the guard while he was seated in his truck at the Cirkle K parking lot. The guard told Martinez he simply wanted to know who he was because there had been recent break-ins and thefts at the school.
When deputies arrived on scene, they found Martinez sitting between a trash can and a gas pump. After they confirmed Martinez was the man responsible for possessing and pointing the gun, he was placed in handcuffs and searched.
Deputies located (2) .40 caliber bullets in Martinez’ pockets, but no gun. After a thorough search of the property was conducted, a deputy was able to locate the .40 caliber handgun hidden behind a RedBox movie rental machine.
Martinez eventually admitted to having the gun, but denied pointing it at the guard. A check of the gun’s serial number showed it was stolen out of Casa Grande. A check of Martinez identification showed he was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been deported by United States Border Patrol on February 18, 2009, December 6, 2009, and July 12, 2011.
Martinez was booked on the following charges: Possessing a Firearm on School Grounds, Prohibited Possessor of a Firearm, Aggravated Assault, Trespassing, Threats and Intimidation, and Disorderly Conduct with a Firearm.
“This illegal immigrant continues to break our laws, going as far as to threaten the life of an American citizen on a local school yard,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “This is yet another example of what happens when we don’t enforce all the laws. No consequences undermines the rule of law and empowers the worst of criminals with the protection of political correctness; all while compromising the rights and safety of our own citizens.”
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Pinal County Sheriff's Office / CopaNews.com
Saul Martinez was deported twice in 2009 and again in 2011.
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