On August 22, 2023, members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Family Violence Unit, in collaboration with the US Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, conducted an investigation to locate Ernesto Martinez, who was wanted by the Fulton County, Georgia police department for possession of a weapon and trafficking illegal narcotics, including heroin.
Martinez was found as a passenger in a vehicle driven by Nicole Salazar Hurtado in Roselle Park, NJ. The officers tried to stop the vehicle, but Hurtado ignored the emergency lights and sirens, initiating a vehicle pursuit. Eventually, Hurtado’s vehicle came to a stop, and Martinez fled on foot. Martinez was captured shortly after a short distance from the vehicle.
Inside the vehicle, officers found an untraceable assault rifle, also known as a “ghost gun,” along with a fully loaded high-capacity magazine.
Martinez was charged with the following: Fugitive from Justice, Resisting by Flight, Unlawful Possession of an Assault Weapon, Prohibited Weapon – Unserialized Firearm, and Prohibited Large Capacity Magazine.
Hurtado was charged with eluding by motor vehicle, unlawful possession of an assault weapon, prohibited weapon (unserialized firearm), and prohibited large capacity magazine.
Both Martinez and Hurtado were committed to Union County Jail.