By Roger Lanse

Adam Martinez, a prisoner who escaped from the Grant County detention Center Thursday, Sept. 11, at about 10 p.m. was sighted by a Silver City police officer Monday, Sept. 15, at about 5 a.m. on Gold Street near the city yard driving a blue four-wheeler "like a madman," according to Grant County Sheriff Raul Villanueva.

Martinez left the roadway and headed south down the arroyos, where law enforcement units could not follow, Villanueva said. Officers eventually lost sight of Martinez, however, according to Villanueva, officers are continuing to hunt for Martinez as of 2 p.m., Monday.

Several law enforcement agencies participated in the unsuccessful pursuit, Villanueva said, including the Silver City Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, Bayard Police Department, U.S. Marshal's Service and the New Mexico State Police.

According to a school spokesman, Harrison Schmidt Elementary School was on lockdown from before school started until about 11:15 a.m., as a result of the pursuit. No other incidents were reported by the school.

The GCSD issued a public alert at about 6 a.m., asking residents to avoid the area of the pursuit.

When asked about the alert issued Friday in reference to the initial escape, Villanueva stated that the sheriff's department has no jurisdiction, except in certain limited areas, at the detention center.

Sheriff Villanueva encouraged the public to be on the lookout, not only for Martinez, but also for Tyler Cole who escaped with Martinez.