POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — A man accused of jumping a man on a bike on the Silver Comet Trial is a member of the Sandy Springs Citizen Patrol, police confirmed. Alden Adam Martinez is facing felony charges after the victim was left severely disfigured, according to the police warrant from Cobb County.
Martinez is accused of attacking the man riding his bike on the trail in Powder Springs near Richard D. Sailors Parkway on April 21.
According to the police report Martinez, he and a woman were riding bicycles when he pulled up to the building where the bathroom is located.
When he came back outside, the victim allegedly started screaming and using profanity in Martinez's face. The victim told Martinez "there are [expletive] rules in the trail."
The woman told officers she got in between the two men in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
The victim told police he tried to leave. The incident report said Martinez claimed the man pushed him, knocking him to the ground. He claimed was was afraid and decided to go after the man.
Police said the victim was knocked off his bicycle and Martinez jumped on top of him and punched him several times in the face. The victim suffered a broken eye socket from the attack, according to warrants. Police said Martinez forced his arm on the victim's neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
Martinez attended the Sandy Springs Citizen Patrol last year, police confirmed. The program began in 2011 and has over 60 volunteers. The volunteers canvass county parks and other areas to help citizens. These patrols are not armed but they are often trained to carry safety gear, such as police radios, safety vests and flashlights. They cannot enforce Georgia law, but can help people get into locked cars, jump vehicles or call for help.
Martinez was charged with felony aggravated assault with strangulation, aggravated battery that caused disfigurement and disorderly conduct. He was arrested and booked in Cobb County Jail with a $30,000 bond.
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