Montgomery County police: New York man arrested for home invasion, police pursuit
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () — Police said they arrested a man after a hit-and-run kickstarted a series of subsequent crimes early Monday morning throughout Montgomery County.
Just after 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 27, Gaithersburg Police, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS) responded to a hit-and-run collision on Rt. 355 and Watkins Mill Road.
Witnesses said they saw a man and a small child walk away from a Toyota Scion at the scene. The car, police said, was stolen from New York City on Jan. 26.
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A little over an hour later at 5:50 a.m., a Gaithersburg resident reported their Kiat Forte was stolen from in front of their home in the 1300 block of Travis View Court.
At 9:20 a.m., officers responded to another home – this time in the 22000 block of Davis Mill Road in Germantown – after receiving a report about a home invasion.
The victim said he was in his home when he heard a noise and went to investigate. He found a man who matched the description of the hit-and-run suspect and a 4-year-old girl wearing a pink jacket.
The suspect said his daughter needed to use the bathroom.
Armed with a weapon, MCPD said the man stole personal items, food and drinks before taking the homeowner's pickup truck.
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Investigators learned the suspect – 32-year-old Esmeraldo Martinez De La Cruz – and his 4-year-old daughter had been reported missing from New York City.
At about 3 p.m., officers in Bridgewater, Va., found the stolen truck and tried to pull it over. Martinez drove on I-81 while firing multiple shots at officers.
The pursuit continued for nearly 60 miles before Martinez crashed into a guardrail near the Shenandoah/Frederick County line.
He was arrested by Virginia State Police while his daughter was evaluated by first responders. She had no injuries.
No officers or any other civilians were injured during the pursuit or shooting.
Martinez was charged in Virginia with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property and child neglect.
He also faces charges in Montgomery County for home invasion, armed robbery and more.
Martinez is being held at the Rockingham County Regional Jail in Virginia.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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