A 31-year-old Stroudsburg man was arrested after a nearly three-hour standoff Tuesday afternoon in Bethlehem Township, police said.
A bail bondsman saw William Ortiz, of the 100 block of Ed Christine Drive, and alerted police just after 3 p.m. Ortiz was sought by Monroe County authorities after he failed to show up for sentencing last fall.
He was seen going into a home in the 3600 block of Hodle Avenue, township police Sgt. Rick Blake said.
A man was seen soon after near a shed in the fenced-in backyard of the home, but appeared to re-enter the home, according to Blake.
William Ortiz, 31, of Stroudsbug, was taken into custody the evening of Feb. 28, 2017, after a nearly three-hour standoff at 3602 Hodle Ave. in Bethlehem Township, police say. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)
Abraham Ortiz, 25, came out of the home and was placed in custody, Blake said. Abraham Ortiz said William Ortiz wasn’t in the home but William Ortiz’s girlfriend and 5-year-old stepson were inside, Blake said.
With Abraham Ortiz using a bullhorn to ask the woman and child to come out, township police called in a K-9 from Colonial Regional police and the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Blake said.
Just before a state police corporal arrived to evaluate the situation for the emergency response team, a man could be seen moving near the front door, Blake said. William Ortiz, who wasn’t armed, surrendered about 5:45 p.m., Blake said.
“He finally had the common sense to come out,” Blake said.
The woman and child then exited as well, Blake said. Abraham Ortiz, who eventually was cooperative, wasn’t charged with a crime and was released, Blake said.
“All things considered, what looked bad in the beginning turned out quite well,” Blake said.
William Ortiz wasn’t charged with crimes in Northampton County and was returned to Monroe County jail on the warrant, Blake said.
William Ortiz was charged Jan. 4, 2016, with possession with intent to deliver drugs, possession of a firearm while prohibited, two minor drug offenses and recklessly endangering another person, court papers say. He pleaded guilty on June 8 to possession with intent to deliver drugs and the endangering charge, according to court records.
He remained free at that point on $100,000 bail.
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After twice getting his sentencing postponed, his third request was denied and when he didn’t show up Oct. 11, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, records show.
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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