Burglary Suspects Arrested In San Leandro

SAN LEANDRO, CA — An Oakland man and his girlfriend have been charged with burglary for an incident at a residence in San Leandro last week, authorities said.

Officers responded to the 1200 block of Castro Street at about 9:30 a.m. last Friday after witnesses reported an interrupted burglary, according to police.

When the officers arrived witnesses pointed them to a suspect later identified as 21-year-old Gerardo Ortega, who fled on foot and then got in his car and drove away, police said.

Other incoming officers attempted to stop Ortega and his passenger and lookout, later identified as 20-year-old Jennifer Martinez of Oakland, but he failed to stop and led police on a high-speed chase, according police.

Officers pursued Ortega as he drove recklessly and violated several traffic laws but they eventually canceled the pursuit and allowed

Ortega to flee due to public safety concerns, police said. However, Ortega's vehicle was located several minutes later at the scene of a traffic collision in Oakland, according to police.

Witnesses told officers that Ortega and Martinez ran into a nearby motel and after a brief search they were located there and detained, police said.

Authorities said Ortega had been paroled from state prison after serving a term for a prior conviction and had removed an electronic ankle bracelet aimed at monitoring his movements, which they called a parole violation.

In addition to the burglary charge, Ortega is charged with felony evading and other felony enhancements.

Ortega and Martinez were charged on Monday and on Tuesday they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Ortega is being held without bail at the Glenn Dyer Jail in Oakland and is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 11 for a pretrial hearing.

Jail and court jail records indicate that Martinez is no longer in custody but don't list her next court date.

— Bay City News; Image via SLPD