Felon accused of trying to shoot deputy, fleeing to Mexico arraigned

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - A 31-year-old felon accused of opening fire on a sheriff's deputy while fleeing from a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley, then hiding out in Mexico until his whereabouts were uncovered, pleaded not guilty today to attempted murder of a peace officer and other offenses.

Martin Perez Jr. was extradited back to the United States last week following his apprehension by Mexican State Police.   

Along with the attempted murder count, Perez is charged with felony evading, being a felon in possession of a firearm and a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation.

He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Melissa Hale, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Oct. 22 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.  

According to the District Attorney's Office, in the late afternoon hours of May 14, 2024, Perez committed an unspecified traffic violation at the intersection of Limonite and Wineville avenues, prompting a motorcycle deputy to initiate a traffic stop.

Perez, however, refused to pull over, instead steering onto a dirt road paralleling 68th Street, just west of Pats Ranch Road, in an attempt to evade the lawman, prosecutors alleged.

"Perez ... then began shooting at the pursuing deputy before entering dense foliage near the Santa Ana River bottom,'' according to an agency statement. "During the pursuit, Perez abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot in an unknown direction. The initial pursuing deputy did not sustain any injuries during the incident."   

Despite an intense search of the area, the defendant could not be located. His identity was confirmed less than two weeks later, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, though detectives at the time were uncertain where he was, authorities said.

The D.A.'s Fugitive Apprehension Unit, coordinating with the sheriff's Gang Impact Team, ultimately discovered that Perez was in Tepic, Mexico, and law enforcement officials south of the border were requested to track him down and take him into custody, which they did on Thursday, prosecutors said.

He was turned over to U.S. Marshals, who in turn delivered him to county law enforcement officials the same day.   

Details on the defendant's prior convictions were unavailable.