San Miguel man tries to kidnap his girlfriend

October 9, 2015

A San Miguel man attempted to kidnap his girlfriend early Thursday morning, but the woman fled with a witness who came to her aid, according to the Paso Robles Police Department.

Paso Robles police arrested 26-year-old Jose Ayala Martinez after he crashed his car into a barrier on Highway 46 East, just north of 24th Street. Martinez crashed while pursuing his girlfriend who was fleeing in the witness’s car.

Around 12:30 a.m., police responded to a report of a woman screaming from a car in the 1100 block of Black Oak Drive. Martinez had assaulted the woman in a parking lot near the 1300 block of 24th Street, according to a police department news release.

A witness saw the assault and Martinez forcing his girlfriend into a car. The woman then escaped the car as it began driving away.

The witness, whom Paso Robles police describe as a Good Samaritan, picked up the woman and drove away with her in his car. Martinez then rammed his vehicle into the witness’s car and another vehicle that was passing through the area.

But, the witness drove off and Martinez crashed while in pursuit. The crash injured Martinez and disabled his car.

Officers found the car and arrested Martinez. They booked him in San Luis Obispo County Jail after he received treatment at a hospital for his injuries.

Martinez is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, false imprisonment, spousal abuse and probation violation. He is no longer listed as being in custody, according to the county sheriff’s office website.

The victim and multiple witnesses were evaluated at a local hospital and released.