PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

April 27, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

Central HRC Squad Arrests a Man, Seizes Guns, Knives, and Drugs

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division’s Homeless Resource Center (HRC) Squad safely arrested a 23-year-old man and seized guns, knives, and methamphetamine.

This investigation started at 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, when a security guard waved down an HRC officer about a person trespassing at 130 South 300 East.

The officer spoke with the suspect, later identified as Louie Martinez.

During the investigation, officers found four knives, a throwing star, 22.4 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, a fentanyl pill, and drug paraphernalia.

Officers booked Martinez into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, five counts of possession of a weapon by a restricted person, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and trespassing.

This is the second arrest of Martinez in April 2024 for being in possession of a weapon by a restricted person.

Officers arrested Martinez on April 4, 2024, when a store clerk waved down officers about someone trespassing at a local gas station near 100 South and 300 East.

Officers identified the suspect as Martinez. During the investigation, officers found Martinez in possession of two guns and drug paraphernalia.

Officers also discovered Martinez had prior felony convictions.

Officers booked Martinez into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on two counts of possession of a weapon by a restricted person, one count of obstruction of justice, emergency reporting abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trespassing.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Several photos of the evidence seized are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Salt Lake City Police officers seized four knives and a throwing star from a 23-year-old man arrested near 100 South 300 East. (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department – April 24, 2024)

Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division’s Homeless Resource Center Squad seized drugs following an investigation near 100 South 300 East (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department – April 24, 2024)

Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division’s Homeless Resource Center Squad seized guns and knives following an investigation near 100 South 300 East (Photo by: Salt Lake City Police Department – April 04, 2024)

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