Cape woman accused of stealing truck after walking to gas station; Police: Was intoxicated, had a suspended license

by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/9/09

A Cape Coral woman with a suspended license walked to a local gas station and stole a truck Tuesday while under the influence of alcohol, according to police reports.

Dayme Martinez, 26, of 910 S. Santa Barbara Blvd., was arrested and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license and DUI.

She was being held in the Lee County Jail on a combined $30,000 bond Wednesday evening, jail records indicate.

Martinez reportedly told police she left her home at about 10:37 p.m. on foot after an argument with her mother, and walked to a Hess gas station at 1020 Santa Barbara Blvd. S.

While at the gas station, Martinez stole a Dodge Durango pickup truck left unlocked and running in the parking lot, she reportedly said.

Police spotted Martinez driving the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, following her as she turned onto several streets and eventually stopped at a home on Southeast 25th Terrace.

Martinez reportedly said she had been drinking earlier that evening.

Officers noted in their report that Martinez had "a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from her breath," and that her eyes were bloodshot and glassy. Her movements were slow and uncoordinated, and she was swaying from side to side.

Police said Martinez's driver's license had been suspended due to prior driving infractions, which Martinez reportedly admitted she knew.

The owner of the truck arrived on scene and identified it as belonging to him. He told police he would like to press charges against Martinez.

She was initially charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license, and was later charged with DUI following additional testing, police said.

She was taken to the Lee County Jail in apparent good health, the reports state.