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NL Man Charged With Saturday Home Invasion

Police say Hector Ortega barged into Garfield Avenue apartment with piece of rebar.

A city man faces several charges after police say he forced his way into an apartment on Garfield Avenue with a piece of metal "rebar" and struggled with the residents.

Hector Ortega, 30, of no certain address, was arrested after the incident and charged with home invasion, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree criminal mischief.

According to Deputy Chief Peter Reichard, police received a 911 call at 6:49 p.m. from a female resident of the first-floor apartment at 49 Garfield Ave. saying there was an unknown man in the apartment. Police responded and saw Ortega walking away from the apartment, and arrested him without incident.

In a news release, Reichard said Ortega knocked on the apartment door and when a resident opened the door he forced himself inside. Police said Ortega was wearing his hat pulled low and was carrying a piece of metal rebar, and he struggled with one of the residents, causing minor injuries.

Ortega is being held on $100,000 bond pending his arraignment on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Anyone who has information on this incident should contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269.

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Rick Lushay February 17, 2013 at 01:58 pm
New London Mayor Daryl Justin FInizio will hold a press conference at 3pm today to announce a Rebar Buyback program. New London will be the first community in the state and country to offer such a program. Again New London is the leader.
Rebar pieces have long been used a a weapon in violent criminal activity. Originally used only at large construction sites by Mobsters and union thugs rebar has crept into our society. The FBI and justice department has failed to keep statistics on how dramatically rebar crime has escalated. Unlike guns a piece of rebar used in a crime can be tossed out in the garbage or in any vacant lot and go unnoticed. "The recent home invasion in New London has brought the use of rebar in violent crimes to the minds of this administration" states New London Mayor. "we will put a stop to this". Mayor Daryl Justin FInizio will also call on the state legislature to pass tougher legislation concerning the purchase and possession of rebar. We need a 3 day waiting period and background checks on all those that purchase rebar. All legitimate use of rebar is planned and the new laws will not negatively impact law abiding citizens that purchase and possess rebar.
Sue P. February 17, 2013 at 02:51 pm
OH NO!!!! I own some rebar. Does that make me a criminal? Maybe they can have a rebar buy back at the police station and I can get gift cards for turning in my rebar. My brother is a mason, I wonder if he knows about how dangerous owning rebar can be.
J. Scagnetti February 17, 2013 at 02:59 pm
Wow you guys have a lot of time on your hands huh? Just glad this guy's getting locked up and hope he stays there awhile.
Sue P. February 17, 2013 at 03:02 pm
But J, the walls to the cells have rebar in them don't you find that dangerous? Some times in this crazy world you have to let loose and lighten up.
BTD CEO February 17, 2013 at 04:54 pm
Im sure if i ask what country this guy is a citizen of I will be called a racist.
Cant wait to get my new 3D printer.
Debbie February 18, 2013 at 06:24 pm
Either this man couldn't stand still for photo or camera crew was hit by flying rebar. Next time comb his hair and clean him up for the cameras.
Daniella Ruiz February 19, 2013 at 01:39 am
he was cold, just needed a warm cot and some meals for a while. could have been any house he went to, just as long as he hung around long enough for the 'federales' to catch him. notice, he didnt put up any resistance during arrest. he's no dummy, knows exactly where he will be going. warm, social, food and friends, a bit confined, but who cares.
Daniella Ruiz February 20, 2013 at 01:34 am
cool, a 3D printer! it must one of the 6 on the east coast! west coast is so far ahead of the east.
as for being a racist, damn right, any mention of one's ethnicity outside of the said mentioned group and bingo, you're in the racist club! personally, i'm from a select group of unique individuals myself, very rare and not often represented in most of the larger groupings of two legged animals. ;-))
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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Scotty B June 11, 2013 at 07:15 pm
You facts are correct Kathleen, Since Chief Ackley was promoted in June 2009 - Close to 40Read More Officers have left the department! 13 retired 22 went to other police departments 3 resigned or were terminated Survey says...! Instead asking about the nice artwork, lets ask why they are leaving...?!
Rick Lushay June 12, 2013 at 08:07 am
Scotty B. If you know or even speak to any police officers or any NLPD employees you would know theRead More reason why the officers are leaving. The police administration is terrible, no leadership at the top and a city administration and four city councilors driven to gut and destroy the police department. These well educated and ambitious young officers know that there is no career opportunity here in the Whaling City so they are doing what is best for themselves. You would do the same.
Kathleen Mitchell June 12, 2013 at 06:02 pm
If anyone bothered to read the mayor's response above, the part that I could figure out and reallyRead More concerned me was "The administration has also begun the process of using State LOCIP funds (at no cost to New London taxpayers) to install better lighting and security cameras throughout our City this year." I do check out things before I write about them and I checked out his claim regarding the use of LoCIP (Local Capital Improvement Program) No request has been made to the city council, as yet, for LoCIP funds for use as stated by the mayor. I did think a headline in The Day today was interesting "UPDATED: NL cops use video surveillance, GPS coordinates to capture shooting suspect" and couldn't help but wonder if the information provided to the reporters was to support the mayor's claim that our city is safe regardless of the number of police on duty.