Man Threatens Water Authority Workers with Knife, APD Tases Him After Brief Standoff

Albuquerque –

On August 17th, 2026, a man was walking around the 500 block of Espanola St. NE with a knife and other items. He was yelling at government and construction workers while pointing the objects at them. The man was identified as 49-year-old Martin Star Sando of Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Police Department responded to the scene and found a shirtless Sando walking down the street with his weapons. Officers gave commands to Sando to drop the weapons and surrender peacefully. He did not want to give up and lunged at officers with his 8-inch kitchen knife.

Officers were able to use non-lethal 40mm rounds and a taser to get Sando into custody. While on scene, we observed Albuquerque Fire Rescue removing taser prongs from his body.

According to the criminal complaint, victims stated Sando approached them and said, “You don’t get to do that, don’t do that shit.” After the berating Sando continued to walk down the street.

Sando was booked on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and 3 counts of aggravated assaults upon a peace officer.

On August 2, 2026, he was charged with Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) and Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000), and released on or around August 6.