Springfield Police Officers Arrest Illegal A.T.V. Rider While Wearing an Ankle Bracelet for Gun and Drug Trafficking Charges

Springfield Police Officers Arrest Illegal A.T.V. Rider While Wearing an Ankle Bracelet for Gun and Drug Trafficking Charges

Springfield, Mass. — Springfield Police Officers arrest 21-year-old Marco Gonzalez-Ortiz while wearing a court-ordered GPS ankle bracelet after he was illegally riding an A.T.V. in the city, destroying grass at a park and shoving an elderly woman.

On Saturday August 20^th around 1:15 p.m. Springfield Police Officers under the direction of Lt. Julio Toledo were conducting an Anti-Off-Highway-Vehicle Detail to deter illegal dirt bike and A.T.V. riding in the city.

Officers observed a group of dirt bike, motorcycle and A.T.V. riders in the area of Roosevelt Avenue. One ATV rider, later identified as Marco Gonzalez-Ortiz was destroying the green space at Blunt Park then got back on the road and ran a red light. Gonzalez-Ortiz then observed the presence of officers while riding recklessly through traffic when he fell off the A.T.V.

At this point officers attempted to place Gonzalez-Ortiz under arrest when attempted to run away. During the foot pursuit, Gonzalez-Ortiz shoved an elderly woman who was bringing in her trash. Officers eventually located Gonzalez-Ortiz hiding in the backyard of a home on the 100 block of Bowles Park and he was placed under arrest.

“Our officers who conduct these anti-dirt bike details have done a tremendous job this year from early in the spring throughout the summer with dozens of arrests and even more seizures. This suspect who we just arrested in May on firearms and heroin trafficking charges is back on the street with a GPS monitor and continues to wreak havoc in our city with no fear of our judicial system. The way this suspect was riding he clearly had no regard for his own life or the numerous lives of our residents he put in danger. Great job by Lt. Toledo and his team for taking him into custody without anyone getting hurt,” said Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “I commend our brave and dedicated men and women in Blue for their continued efforts in attacking this quality of life issue. Once again, our Springfield Police Department does their job and arrest yet another repeat violent criminal offender out on bail with a GPS ankle bracelet committing mayhem on our streets and in our neighborhoods – even shoving an elderly woman in an attempt to run away from pursuing officers. Tremendous job by Lt. Julio Toledo and team for helping to clean up our streets. Now let’s see if the courts back us up and hold this individual and keep them and their violent criminal acts out of our neighborhoods. Our residents and businesses deserve to be kept safe from individuals such as this.”

At the time of this arrest Gonzalez-Ortiz was wearing a court issued GPS ankle bracelet related to charges from his May 18^th arrest on firearms and heroin trafficking charges.

21-year-old Marco Gonzalez-Ortiz of Springfield is charged with: