WOOD RIVER – Alton Police have charged a Wood River man with escaping custody after allegedly striking and fleeing from a Macoupin County Sheriff’s Deputy.
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Brandon A. Martin, 26, of Wood River, was charged with one count each of escape (a Class 2 felony), aggravated battery (a Class 2 felony), and resisting or obstructing a peace officer (a Class 4 felony) on April 24, 2026.
Martin allegedly intentionally escaped from the lawful custody of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department for the alleged commission of a felony offense by fleeing from Alton Memorial Hospital on April 23, 2026. He is additionally accused of striking a Macoupin County Sheriff’s deputy in the face and head and resisting arrest.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Martin’s pretrial release from custody in this case. According to the petition, Martin was in the custody of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department for aggravated fleeing and other offenses out of Macoupin County when he was transported to Alton Memorial Hospital for a “fit for confinement evaluation.”
“He attempted to flee custody, running into the parking lot and attempting to enter a waiting motor vehicle,” the petition states. “Deputies pursued and he resisted arrest, striking a deputy in the face, causing lacerations.”
The case against Martin was presented by the Alton Police Department, and he currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
