Police say an Ottumwa man stole a weapon from a seller and later tried to sell it.
19-year-old Vidal Arturo Martinez has been charged with trafficking stolen weapons, a Class D felony, and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.
According to court records, Martinez was contacted by an individual regarding a firearm. Martinez requested to see the weapon and the two parties later met up on May 6.
Martinez was in the passenger seat of a vehicle during the meeting and asked to look at the firearm. After Martinez was handed the weapon, police say the driver of the vehicle drove off, depriving the seller of the firearm. Martinez allegedly tried to sell the firearm later.
A warrant was issued and authorities arrived at a residence on North Fellows on June 8 to arrest Martinez. Martinez allegedly tried to flee the residence and encountered an Ottumwa police officer. Martinez ignored orders to stop and ran back into an apartment.
Martinez was later located and arrested. He has been transported to the Wapello County Jail with no bond pending a hearing with a magistrate judge.
