Search ongoing for suspects who kidnapped car salesman during test drive

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Authorities are searching for two men who kidnapped a car salesman during a car test drive in southwest Houston.

Now, that victim, 22-year-old Jose Martinez, is speaking with ABC-13. Martinez is bruised, bloodied, and has a broken nose. He talked to Eyewitness News less than 24 hours after being kidnapped.

"It's crazy. It's crazy as hell. I didn't think it was a real," Martinez said.

Martinez told reporter Courtney Fischer there were three suspects, not two as Houston police initially reported, who were involved.

Around 6pm on Monday, Martinez says a man walked inside a Gillman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership in the 10500 block of West Sam Houston Parkway and asked to test drive a Dodge Challenger.

"I knew that guy was a little sketch when I first met him. He kept on talking weird and I thought let's just go on a quick test drive and come back," Martinez said.

Martinez says he noticed two men in another car tailing the Charger.

Then, the salesman said the driver pulled over and hit Martinez. The 22-year-old says before he knew it, two guys from the second car were on him.

"The other guy hit me and they threw me out of the car and we started fighting and they put me in the trunk," Martinez said.

From the trunk, Martinez called 911. Then, he says he set up the "Find my iPhone" app on his cell.

Martinez's manager then tracked the phone with an app.

"I was in there for like five minutes and I thought this is not going to happen so I was already setting up my phone and I called the cops and let them know what car I was in what description it was," Martinez said.

When the driver stopped, Martinez popped the trunk, pushing a button. He says the kidnappers had a gun, Martinez grabbed it, and shot one of them in the neck. Martinez says he didn't get a good look at their faces.

"Tall black guys. I didn't get to see the other guy who was driving. He was like 6'5" and skinny."

The suspects drove off and left the victim behind. Police used the victim's phone, which was still inside the stolen car, to track the suspects. Police caught up with them, but they gave chase. Police followed them until they struck a postal truck. At that point, the suspects jumped out of the car and disappeared.

Police found Martinez walking along the freeway and drove him to a hospital to check out his injuries.

Martinez's Mom, Melissa Martinez, still can't believe what her son lived through.

"The minute we saw each other it was good. It was good. I just held his hand and that was it," said Melissa.

Martinez says he photocopied the license of the man who came in to test drive the car, as is policy. Police have not made any arrests.