Nashua SWAT Team Arrests Suspect In 2 Armed Robberies

NASHUA, NH — Police in Nashua arrested an Ohio Avenue resident who is accused of two armed robberies during the past week.

Police were sent to an armed robbery at the Lake Street Convenience Store Thursday in which a man displayed a firearm and demanded money from an employee, according to Lt. Patrick Hannon of the Nashua Police Department.

"The suspect obtained cash from the clerk and fled the area before being apprehended," Hannon said. "Detectives with the Nashua Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division were notified and furthered the investigation. However, the suspect was not identified at that time."

Two days later, the ARZ Market on Lake Street was hit.

"Upon arrival, officers learned that a male suspect displayed a firearm and demanded money from a store clerk," Hannon said. "The suspect obtained cash from the clerk and fled the area before being apprehended. It was quickly determined that the same male suspect had committed both robberies."

Detectives and officers continued to work both cases, Hannon said, and identified Alberto Ortiz Jr., 39, of Ohio Avenue in Nashua as a suspect. He had an active warrant on a separate theft case involving stolen merchandise from a previous employer, he added.

Nashua dispatched its special weapons and tactics team to arrest Ortiz due to "the nature of the offenses," Hannon said, and he was taken into custody Sunday without incident.

Ortiz was arrested on a single felony theft by unauthorized taking-$1,001 to $1,500 charge and two felony robbery-armed-firearm charges. He was held on a preventative detention and arraigned Monday in Hillsborough County Superior Court South. Ortiz will be back in court Oct. 8.

Previously, Ortiz was convicted of operating as a habitual offender in August 2016 and driving after revocation or suspension in June 2018, according to court records.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact 603-589-1665.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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