By: Yuritza Arroyo
Hector Ortiz, 20, of Pleasantville, entered a guilty plea yesterday to second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun in exchange for a five-year term in state prison, where he must serve three and one-half years before being eligible for parole, according to Atlantic County officials.
Atlantic City Police say, on December 13, 2021, Detectives of the police department responded to the area of 2519 Pacific Avenue after they received information that a man was in possession of a firearm in the convenience store located at that address.
According to Police, based on that information, police began to surveil the convenience store, where they observed a male identified as Hector Ortiz, matching a specific description given earlier.
Detectives say, Ortiz was observed frequently grabbing and adjusting the interior of his jacket pocket, which appeared to contain a large bulge. Detectives identified themselves to Ortiz and ordered him to stop.
According to Detectives, Ortiz disregarded police orders and began to flee west on Pacific Avenue.
Ortiz was advised he was under arrest, but he continued to run.
Officials say, he was eventually apprehended in the area of Brighton and Pacific Avenues.
Ortiz surrendered to police, notifying them he was in possession of a firearm.
According to officials, Ortiz was taken into custody, and an unloaded revolver was recovered in his interior jacket pocket.
Ortiz is expected to receive the sentence of five years state prison, where he must serve three and one-half years before being eligible for parole.
He must also forfeit the weapon seized when sentenced on January 5, 2023.