NEW YORK — Sergeant Martinez, the newly assigned Anti-Crime Supervisor for the 45 Precinct, was quick to start working with his fellow Sergeant and crime team members in protecting the people of the Bronx. Along with Police Officer Biondo, Sergeant Martinez and his partner, observed a driver operating a vehicle erratically near the intersection of Zerega Avenue and Castle Hill Ave just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2016. They stopped the car and observed a plastic bag with apparent narcotics sticking out of the driver’s pocket. A subsequent search resulted in the recovery of approximately 285 grams of cocaine. The driver, a 60-year-old man, was placed under arrest and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The following day Sergeant Martinez started his tour on and went on patrol with another member of the Anti-Crime team, Police Officer Mejia. The two noticed a mini-van illegally stopped at a fire hydrant in front of 1718 Saint Peters Avenue. When they approached the vehicle, and looked inside, they were able to see a scale with alleged narcotics on it. Sergeant Martinez and Police Officer Mejia detained the driver, a 32-year-old man, and placed him under arrest. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of approximately 100 grams of heroin. The driver was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The next day proved the officers were hard at work again. Sergeant Martinez and Police Officer Garcia were performing anti-crime duties when they observed a suspicious man in the backseat of a livery cab at the intersection of Starling Avenue and Castle Hill Avenue. They stopped the cab to investigate and the passenger attempted to flee. When stopped, the 44-year-old man indicated that he was carrying a quantity of narcotics. Further investigation lead to the recovery of 50 grams of crack cocaine. The suspect was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Sergeant Martinez and Police Officer Meija were together again patrolling the streets of the 45 Precinct on Sunday. This time they encountered a 29-year-old man in the middle of the street, near Halsey Street and Zerega Avenue. The man appeared to need help, so Police Officer Mejia exited the unmarked police vehicle and asked the man if he needed assistance. The man fled and threw a silver revolver to the ground as he was running. Police Officer Mejia pursued the suspect on foot while Sergeant Martinez followed in their vehicle and the suspect was apprehended a short distance away. A loaded Ruger .357 cal revolver was recovered, along with a quantity of marijuana. The man was subsequently charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
In one week the Sergeant Martinez and the entire 45 Precinct Anti-Crime team were responsible for the seizure of approximately 435 grams of narcotics, four arrests, the recovery of a loaded firearm, and keeping those they serve safe. -NYPD
