Taylor County Sheriff's Release Statement on Inmate's Attempt to Escape

WICHITA FALLS, TX — UPDATE — (Press Release) On 7/25/2018 at approximately 1:30 PM, a Taylor County Sheriff’s Office deputy was transporting Martin Estrada, 31, of Abilene from the Red River facility in Wichita Falls, back to Abilene. He was wanted in Taylor County for “insufficient bond” on charges including Evading Arrest, Aggravated Robbery, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver.

Upon the deputy’s arrival at the facility, he was told that the prisoner had assaulted and hospitalized another person, and was being discharged for safety reasons. The deputy and three other staff members were needed to secure handcuffs and leg irons on the prisoner.

When the deputy and prisoner were on Highway 277 crossing into Archer County, enroute to Abilene, the prisoner was able to free one wrist from his handcuffs and use it to shatter the rear passenger-side window of the patrol car. He threatened suicide unless the officer stopped the car. The officer refused, and continued on as the prisoner climbed atop the car. The deputy made the determination to not stop the vehicle until Wichita County officers arrived to assist. Once the deputy pulled over, the prisoner tried to flee but was “Tased” and re-handcuffed. Because the Taylor County deputy’s car window was broken out, Wichita County Sheriff’s Office administrators offered to have the prisoner transported by them on to the Taylor County Jail. He was returned to Abilene by Wichita County S.O. without further incident.

ORIGINAL STORY— Witnesses driving on Hwy 277 just outside Wichita Falls saw a strange sight when passing a Taylor County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, according to KTXS.

Jason and Jennifer Mustain were traveling home when they noticed the patrol cars back door was open. When they accelerated past the patrol car that is when they noticed the inmate’s feet hanging out in an attempt to escape.

Later the inmate was identified as Martin Gregory Estrada, 31, of Abilene. Jason told KTXS that he worked for 10 minutes to get out of the car and onto the roof.

“At first, he was laying across the top of the roof like you see in the movies,” said Jason. “Then he tried to stand up and eventually sat there chillin.”

Estrada sat on the roof while the patrol vehicle traveled on the highway awaiting two Wichita County deputies. The car traveled with the inmate on top for about five minutes.

Once the deputies arrived, the vehicle came to a stop and Estrada jumped off the roof. Estrada was taken into custody.

Estrada was booked in Taylor County jail for multiple charges:

• Aggravated robbery
• Robbery
• Possession of meth with intent to deliver
• Possession of meth
• Evading arrest – five counts
• Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

Estrada sits in Taylor County jail in lieu of bonds totaling $680,000.