U.S. Marshals Arrest Man Accused Of Trying To Run Over Martin County Sheriff's Deputy
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: January 4, 2013
ODESSA -- U.S. Marshals have arrested a man accused of driving at a Martin County Sheriff's deputy and running from a traffic stop.
Midland and Odessa Police each tell Big 2 that U.S. Marshals arrested Eric Ray Perez on Friday afternoon.
A news release from the U.S. Marshals explained that Perez and his girlfriend -- Sonnie E. Kunkle -- were spotted in the 1100 block of North Texas Avenue around 3:30 PM Friday.
Deputy U.S. Marshals, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Agents, Ector County Sheriff's deputies, Midland County Sheriff's deputies, Odessa Police officers and members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force teamed up to arrest Perez, 25, and Kunkle, 27, around 4 PM Friday.
Perez had warrants out of Dawson, Ector, Lubbock, Martin and Midland counties for the charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, evading arrest and identity theft charges.
Law enforcement told Big 2 that Perez was considered armed and dangerous before his arrest.
"We always go prepared for [fugitives] to try to do harm to us," Lt. Benny Matlock of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force told Big 2. "We hope that they don't and that they don't get harmed. Because of his actions last week, we did consider him dangerous. I think he would have run over someone if he'd been in a vehicle and had an opportunity to do something."
Perez is accused of trying to run over a Martin County Sheriff's deputy with a vehicle at his grandmother's home near Stanton on December 27th.
The deputy had reportedly come to the home to arrest Perez on behalf of the Midland County Sheriff's Office.
Perez also reportedly ran away from a traffic stop along Business 20 near the Midland International Airport on New Year's Day.
Authorities searched the area for several hours, but couldn't locate Perez.
Perez's arrest comes one day after Midland Crimestoppers increased the reward for information leading to his capture to $1,000.
Midland and Odessa Police each tell Big 2 that U.S. Marshals arrested Eric Ray Perez on Friday afternoon.
A news release from the U.S. Marshals explained that Perez and his girlfriend -- Sonnie E. Kunkle -- were spotted in the 1100 block of North Texas Avenue around 3:30 PM Friday.
Deputy U.S. Marshals, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Agents, Ector County Sheriff's deputies, Midland County Sheriff's deputies, Odessa Police officers and members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force teamed up to arrest Perez, 25, and Kunkle, 27, around 4 PM Friday.
Perez had warrants out of Dawson, Ector, Lubbock, Martin and Midland counties for the charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, evading arrest and identity theft charges.
Law enforcement told Big 2 that Perez was considered armed and dangerous before his arrest.
"We always go prepared for [fugitives] to try to do harm to us," Lt. Benny Matlock of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force told Big 2. "We hope that they don't and that they don't get harmed. Because of his actions last week, we did consider him dangerous. I think he would have run over someone if he'd been in a vehicle and had an opportunity to do something."
Perez is accused of trying to run over a Martin County Sheriff's deputy with a vehicle at his grandmother's home near Stanton on December 27th.
The deputy had reportedly come to the home to arrest Perez on behalf of the Midland County Sheriff's Office.
Perez also reportedly ran away from a traffic stop along Business 20 near the Midland International Airport on New Year's Day.
Authorities searched the area for several hours, but couldn't locate Perez.
Perez's arrest comes one day after Midland Crimestoppers increased the reward for information leading to his capture to $1,000.
