Enfield Police Arrest Suspect in Carjacking

The suspect in Monday’s carjacking at the Enfield Square Mall has been arrested by Enfield Police.

The man was caught shortly after the March 9 incident that started outside Macy’s and ended when the suspect crashed the victim’s car into a snowbank in Longmeadow, MA. Earlier this week, Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said investigators were applying for an arrest warrant and would seek to have the suspect extradited to Enfield. Longmeadow Police had arrested the man on a charge of fugitive from justice.

_______________________________

To sign up for breaking Enfield news alerts and more, click here.

_______________________________

According to the Enfield Police arrest log, Juan R. Ortiz, 56, of 89 Sargeant St., Hartford, was arrested at 2:45 p.m. March 12. Ortiz was charged with third-degree robbery, criminal attempt at third-degree robbery, robbery by carjacking, criminal attempt at robbery by carjacking, third-degree larceny, criminal attempt at third-degree larceny, third-degree assault on an elderly person and second-degree breach of peace. His bond was set at $350,000.

The suspect is accused of approaching the victim, a woman in her early 70s, as she entered her car parked outside Macy’s. The man told the woman there was a problem with her car tires. The suspect stepped between the woman and car door, preventing her from closing the door, Sferrazza said.

The suspect is accused of punching the woman in the face and pushing her out of the car and driving off. Witnesses called police and responding officers spotted the car and pursued it for four miles into Longmeadow.

The victim did not need medical treatment for her injuries.

Other Patch stories:

• Trader Joe’s Recalls Cinnamon Almonds Because of Undeclared Peanuts
• Enfield Police Continue Arson Probe
• WEATHER UPDATE: Enfield’s Cold, Rainy St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Forecast