By Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office
On Sunday, May 3, 2026 at approximately 6:05 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of County Road 27 and County Road N in rural Minatare for a report of a vehicle parked on the roadway and a male subject discharging a firearm.
The vehicle left the area prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Deputies later located the vehicle as it entered Minatare and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued, reaching speeds of approximately 110 mph.
The vehicle traveled northbound on Stonegate Road before turning westbound onto Lake Minatare Road. The driver eventually pulled over at the intersection of Lake Minatare Road and County Road 27, where he surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had threatened another individual with a firearm after being confronted about discharging the weapon from the roadway. It was also reported that the driver nearly struck a reporting party with his vehicle.
Alberto Martinez III, 22-years-old from Minatare, was taken into custody on charges of Driving Under the Influence, Driving Under Suspension, Flight to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Terroristic Threats, Use of a Firearm to Commit a Felony, Assault by Intimidation, Carrying a Concealed Handgun While Under the Influence of Alcohol, Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce, Discharge of a Firearm from a Public Roadway, Criminal Mischief, Use of a Deadly Weapon (Vehicle) to Commit a Felony, Assault, Speeding (Double the Speed Limit), Stop Sign Violation and Driving Left of Center.
Deputies seized a 9mm handgun and an AK47 style pistol with drum magazine in addition to a small amount of marijuana and ammunition.
The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol.