A man accused of aggravated stalking for violating a family protective order is in custody following a four-hour search after the suspect fled from authorities.
Just before noon Monday, Feb. 6, Coffee County deputies responded to a residence on Country Meadows Road in reference to a violation of a court protective order. Authorities observed the suspect, 21-year-old Ariel Martinez of Millwood, on the front porch of the victim’s residence when they arrived. Martinez subsequently fled on foot into a wooded area, and a search for the suspect was initiated with assistance from the Ware State Prison K-9 unit.
Martinez was tracked for approximately four hours before being observed getting into a blue Dodge pickup truck off Highway 158 East. He was apprehended shortly thereafter and transported to the Coffee County Jail.
According to court documents provided to law enforcement, Martinez had been ordered to refrain from having contact with the victim.
Martinez faces charges of aggravated stalking and obstruction of law enforcement.