By SALINA POST
The Salina Police Department (SPD) arrested a Salina woman on Tuesday, October 1, following a violent confrontation involving an SUV and a physical altercation between two women.
According to a report from SPD Cpt. James Feldman, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Phillips Street at approximately 2:30 p.m. in response to a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed two females engaged in a physical fight on the ground. They were separated by officers at the scene.
The victim, a 53-year-old woman from Salina, informed officers that the incident began earlier in the day at a friend's house on the 700 block of Spruce Street. While there, Wendy Martinez, also of Salina, reportedly drove up in an SUV and began yelling at the victim over a microphone believed to belong to a relative of Martinez.
The situation quickly escalated when Martinez allegedly began shoving and punching the victim. A male passenger in the SUV intervened, pulling Martinez off the victim, and allowing the victim to walk away.
As the victim walked near the 300 block of Baker Street, she reported hearing the revving of an engine and saw the SUV heading toward her. Fearing she would be hit, the victim jumped out of the street and called for help. A bystander, unaffiliated with the situation, witnessed the scene and contacted the police.
"Martinez exited the vehicle and began punching and kicking the victim. The victim had a cut lip, a scratch above the right eye, scraps on both arms and pulled hair," Feldman said. "Martinez had pulled hair and blood in and around her mouth."
Emergency medical services were called to the scene to assess both women, and both Martinez and the victim were transported to Salina Regional Health Center for further evaluation. At the hospital Martinez allegedly continued to threaten the victim, further escalating the situation and putting the victim in fear for her safety.
Martinez was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, battery, and criminal threat. She was subsequently booked into the Saline County Jail.