Jason Martinez of Springfield arrested for carjacking, pistol whipping

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A Springfield man is under arrest for allegedly carjacking and pistol-whipping another man who was sitting at a stop sign in the city's McKnight neighborhood Monday night.

Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that Jason Martinez, 27, faces several charges, including carjacking and assault with a dangerous weapon, following the incident at Dorchester Street and St. James Avenue before 9:30 P.M.

The victim, a 55 year-old man, told police that a Hispanic man and two black men came up to his car at that intersection. He said that the Hispanic man pulled out a gun and demanded money. The victim fought back, but was pistol-whipped several times.

Delaney says that the Hispanic man then pointed the gun at a woman inside the SUV and demanded the keys. She surrendered and all three men drove off in the truck.

An officer spotted the Pathfinder a short time later on Bay Path Terrace, but when Martinez (who by that time was the only one in the SUV) saw the police cruiser, he took off in another direction.

Officers managed to box Martinez in on Crismer Street, but refused to get out. Delaney says police had to break the SUV’s windows, to reach Martinez, who still tired to fight them off before they managed to put him under arrest.

Martinez will be arraigned Tuesday in Springfield District Court on the following charges:

• Carjacking
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
• Failure to Stop for Police
• Resisting Arrest
• Assault and Battery on a Police Officer

The carjacking victim who was hit with the gun was taken to Baystate Medical Center, but has since been released.