In the dim light of early morning yesterday, a simple traffic violation spiraled into a high-stakes encounter with Massachusetts State Police. Trooper Nehme Rizk, on watchful patrol in Worcester, spotted a vehicle blatantly rolling through a stop sign and swiftly took action. According to a report by Massachusetts State Police News, the white Ford Escape, helmed by an as-of-yet unnamed driver, became the focal point of a stop that quickly escalated from roadway infraction to a serious weapons charge.
The driver complied, while the passenger's evasive demeanor prompted further scrutiny from Trooper Rizk, who, upon engaging in conversation made a troubling observation – a pistol grip peeking out from a bag on the passenger's lap. Calling in reinforcement, Trooper Rizk was soon joined by Troopers Taylor Powers, Brady Grunewald, and Erick Zelayandia. The presence of an improperly stored and potentially accessible firearm set into motion a series of strategic maneuvers to ensure the safety of all involved.
Tension heightened as the passenger, one LUIS ORTIZ of Worcester, obscured his identity with conflicting information and failed to present the requisite license for carrying a firearm. A search of the bag between the occupants revealed a loaded Glock 23 Gen5, armed with 11 rounds. "With the discovery of the Glock, Trooper Rizk placed ORTIZ under arrest," the police statement noted. While the driver skirted away with a citation, ORTIZ's defiance crescendoed into threats and aggressive behavior toward the arresting officers.
En route to the Millbury Barracks, ORTIZ kicked and punched at the cruiser's window, his voice pealing with lethal threats aimed at Trooper Rizk. Upon their arrival, his belligerence endured, curtailing officers' attempts at extraction and threatening a combative standoff. "ORTIZ refused to allow Troopers to remove him from the cruiser and threatened to fight and kill the Troopers," the official release detailed.
Throughout the booking ordeal, ORTIZ was combatively consistent with his threats, up until his identity was irrevocably confirmed through fingerprints. His litany of charges now includes possession of a firearm and ammunition without an FID, possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device, carrying a loaded firearm, improper storage of a firearm, furnishing a false name, threats to commit a crime, and failure to wear a seatbelt. ORTIZ now faces these charges in Worcester District Court, where the consequences of his rolling stop will be determined.
