Archive

Press Release: Case Number #12-3334

Case Number #12-3334 12/7/2012

On 12/1/12 at approx. 3:00 PM, UPD officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart regarding a person seen breaking the drivers window on a silver four door sedan. The person was seen climbing through the broken window and driving off in the vehicle. UPD officers were unable to locate the vehicle or a possible owner of the vehicle at the time.

On 12/1/12 at approx. 4:00 PM, UPD officers contacted the owner of the vehicle at Wal-Mart. UPD officers were provided with the license plate of the vehicle and confirmed that the vehicle was indeed stolen. The vehicle was a silver 4 door 2003 Pontiac Grand Am.

On 12/6/12 at approx. 3:45 PM, A UPD officer was on routine patrol in the area of Low Gap Rd. and Oak St. when the officer observed Lawrence Ortiz in the stolen vehicle. At the time, Ortiz had multiple warrants for his arrest (including a felony warrant for vehicle theft regarding an unrelated case). The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. Ortiz failed to yield to the officer’s red lights and siren. Ortiz sped up to approx. 60 to 70 mph in the Empire Gardens area. At the intersection of Empire Dr. and Carrigan Ln., Ortiz failed to negotiate a N/B turn on to Carrigan Ln. from Empire Dr. Ortiz bailed out of the vehicle and left the vehicle in gear. Ortiz was quickly apprehended. The stolen vehicle rolled over a curb and came to rest in a neighboring front yard. The stolen vehicle was returned to the owner at the scene. Aftermarket wheels, tires, and stereo equipment that were on the vehicle when it was stolen had been stripped/stolen from the vehicle and different tires and wheels had been put on the vehicle.

Lawrence Ortiz (28 year old Ukiah resident) was transported and lodged at the county jail for the following charges:

1. 2800.2(a) CVC-Felony vehicle evasion

2. 496(a) PC-Possession of stolen property

3. 10851(a) CVC-Vehicle theft

4. Felony warrant for 10851(a) CVC-Vehicle theft

5. Misdemeanor warrant for 1203.2 PC-Probation violation

6. Misdemeanor warrant for 11550(a) HS-Under the influence of a controlled substance.

The additional charge of 666 PC (theft with prior convictions) will be requested to be charged by the Mendocino County District Attorney’s office.

 

By Sergeant Cedric Crook