VPD: Intoxicated man crashes and takes excavator for a ride

Leonardo Ray Martinez, 30

VICTORIA, Texas – On Monday, June 20, 2022 around 4:20 a.m., Victoria Police responded to a motor vehicle crash near the 5900 block of Houston Hwy.

Officers found a crashed black Chevrolet Impala in a field near the location. No one was inside the vehicle. While searching the area for the driver, the vehicle caught fire.

A short time later, authorities found a man inside of the nearby Caterpillar plant operating an excavator. He apparently damaged a fence and knocked over a light pole before officers were able to detain him. Authorities determined he was involved in the crashed out Chevrolet Impala.

The man is identified as Leonardo Ray Martinez, 30, of Victoria. Authorities said Martinez was intoxicated on a substance.

Martinez faces the following charges:

· Driving While Intoxicated

· Criminal Mischief

· Burglary of a Building

· Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle