UPDATE: According to THP social media, Ulises Martinez, 24, is in custody. He is a suspected auto thief wanted for questioning in the death of Smokin Thighs restaurant owner Matthew Carney. Specialized Investigations Division TITANS detectives just apprehended him at the Somatel Motel on Metroplex Drive near I-24 and Harding Place.
UPDATE: Law enforcement officials said Thursday, that the latest intelligence gained from this investigation, police believe Martinez fled Hamilton County and doesn’t pose any immediate threat to the area. However, should he return to the county, any person with any information pertaining to his whereabouts is encouraged to contact 911 and law enforcement personnel will follow-up.
“The decision was made to call off the large-scale ground search for Martinez early this morning, however rest assured your Sheriff’s Office, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will continue our investigative efforts into his whereabouts,” said Sheriff Austin Garrett. “As your sheriff, I want to personally thank all the many deputies, officers, troopers, and federal law enforcement agents who meticulously searched throughout the afternoon, evening, and early morning hours for Martinez. The terrain, Chickamauga Creek, and intense heat posed incredible challenges to resources and responding personnel, many of which were in the woods for hours searching for the suspect. I also want to thank our citizens for offering tips as to the whereabouts of the suspect and for their patience as we are aware our search efforts impacted traffic and businesses throughout the East Ridge and Brainerd areas. Thank you for always supporting us.”
Law enforcement officials spent much of Wednesday afternoon and into the evening searching for a man in the Camp Jordan area wanted in a hit-and-run homicide in the Nashville area.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol pursued Ulises Raigoza Martinez to an area on Scruggs Road near Ringgold Road where he abandoned his pick-up truck on Wednesday afternoon at about 2 p.m.. Law enforcement from across the area staged a search in Camp Jordan.
According to THP social media, the 24-year-old Martinez could possibly be armed, and urged anyone who may have contact with the man to use caution and immediately notify law enforcement. Tips from residents said the man had been seen in the Audubon Acres, Scruggs and Frawley Road area.
Martinez is described as an Hispanic male. He is 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds.
Helicopters, drones and dogs have been utilized by law enforcement in an effort to find Martinez, said Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett.
About 70 officers from Chattanooga Police Department, East Ridge Police Department, HCSO, Catoosa County and the the Georgia State Patrol answered the call from the THP for aid in searching for Martinez.
The man faces warrants from the crash in Nashville, and he will most probably face more charges resulting from the chase and search, officials said.
