A man who was enrolled in a class to volunteer his time with a metro Atlanta police department was charged with attacking a man following an argument on the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County.
Alden Adam Martinez, 51, was charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and aggravated assault - strangulation in connection to the April 21 incident.
According to a Powder Springs Police Department incident report, Martinez said he was riding his bike on the trail and pulled into a building to use the restroom. As he was exiting the building, he “made contact” with another man later identified as the victim.
Martinez said the victim allegedly said “[expletive] you, there are [expletive] rules” on the trail. The alleged victim moved closer to Martinez and continued to scream at him. A woman who witnessed the confrontation stepped between the two men to defuse the situation.
The report notes the victim tried to leave on his bicycle and, according to witnesses, Martinez attacked him from behind. The victim was knocked off his bicycle and Martinez began punching him in the face, the incident report states. He also grabbed the man from behind around his neck while the victim was “gasping for air and screaming that he was having difficulties breathing, according to the report.
READ | Police: Woman claimed Cobb cop wasn't real, grabbed his gun
An ambulance was called to the scene, and the victim was transported WellStar Cobb Hospital where he was treated for a broken eye socket.
When reached by the AJC, Martinez said he will be speaking with two attorneys about his case. He also said he was “falsely arrested” and that the victim followed him and his wife to the restroom and waited for him to return before confronting and pushing him.
“It’s absolutely imperative that the truth gets out,” he said.
At the time of the alleged assault, Martinez was enrolled in a 12-week Citizens on Patrol training program with the Sandy Springs Police Department. Citizens on Patrol members provide assistance with traffic-related incidents, conduct house checks for out-of-town residents and support officers during city-sponsored events.
City of Sandy Springs spokeswoman Sharon Kraun said Martinez was only a member of the current training class, and was not an active member of the organization. She noted Martinez has withdrawn from the class.
Martinez was booked into the Cobb County Jail Sunday and was released the same day on a $33,220 bond.
Like Cobb County News Now on Facebook |Follow on Twitter
About the Author
