A Dublin man is accused of attempting to run over a man and endangering the lives of his three children after arguing with the children’s mother over toys.
Police allege Manuel Lopez Martinez, 29, was returning his children to their mother after a visitation on Sept. 20 when the two began arguing in the parking lot of a Dublin apartment complex after she took away the toys, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Martinez allegedly demanded any toys he purchased for the children be returned. The children’s mother responded that she was not sorting through toys right then, but would get them to him later, the affidavit said.
During the argument, the woman
alleged her fiance came out of the apartment to assist with getting the three children out of Martinez’s car.
But when her fiance was in front of the car, Martinez allegedly accelerated the vehicle and attempted to hit him. The man jumped on the hood of the car to avoid being struck and Martienz continued driving more than 100-feet before slamming on the brakes.
The sudden stop caused the man to slide off the car hood, the affidavit said. Two of the three children in the car, who were allegedly not wearing safety belts, were also launched forward and injured, the affidavit said.
A 4-year-old in the front seat allegedly struck his head against the front windshield.
Martinez allegedly left the scene before returning to let the children out and leaving again before police and emergency medical services arrived, the affidavit said.
Neither the children nor the man sought hospital treatment, the affidavit said.
Dublin Police attempted to interview Martinez on Sept. 21 but he refused to come into the department or provide a written statement.
He was arrested and arraigned before District Judge Gary Gambardella on Sept. 24 on a felony charge of aggravated assault and related misdemeanors including multiple counts of recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children.
He was transferred to Bucks County Correctional Center in lieu of $300,000 bail. He had no legal representation listed as of Sept. 26, according to the court docket.
Crime and Courts Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Dublin man attempted to run over man with his kids in the car: Police
