Man goes 'berserk' in 'drug induced' rampage

Man fled Royal City custody earlier

MOSES LAKE — Deputies responded Saturday to the Larson Subdivision where an individual had "apparently gone completely berserk," according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Numerous 911 calls indicated a Hispanic male was allegedly breaking into vehicles parked at the Grant County Developmental Disabilities Center in the 1100 block of Lowry Street.

The sheriff's office identified Raymond Martinez, 34, of Moses Lake, as the perpetrator.

Witnesses claimed Martinez grabbed a disabled woman, who was sitting in front of her residence about a block away from the disabilities center, the sheriff's office reported.

Later, deputies responding to the scene also learned Martinez allegedly entered a residence, snatched keys to a 1992 Buick LeSabre, and attempted to start the vehicle.

"Martinez was unable to get the vehicle started and exited the vehicle claiming, 'They're trying to kill me…' and fled the area," Chief Deputy John Turley said.

Martinez apparently barged into a second residence and allegedly stole a second pair of car keys, Turley said. Martinez started the second vehicle, a 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier, parked just outside, and reportedly drove to an area just east of Big Bend Community College.

Patrol deputies eventually stopped Martinez and he was arrested without further incident.

Martinez was subsequently booked into Grant County Jail for anticipated charges of robbery, burglary, theft, malicious mischief, vehicle prowl and assault.

No one assaulted required medical attention, the sheriff's office reported.

Upon further investigation, the sheriff's office learned Martinez was arrested earlier in the day by the Royal City Police Department after he allegedly entered the town hall and the police station and broke a number of windows.

Before being transported to Grant County Jail in Ephrata, Martinez was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment of a severe cut to his hand from the broken glass, according to the sheriff's office.

Martinez apparently fled the hospital after receiving treatment, escaping Royal City officers. He eventually arrived at the Larson Subdivision.

"There were six victims in this drug-induced absolute nightmare that apparently began when Martinez had been arrested in Royal City," Turley said.