Man Indicted for Violent Robbery and Assault of Harlem Funeral Home Director

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced the indictment of 50-year-old Luis Ortega for the robbery and assault of a Harlem funeral home director, an incident occurring in February this year. Ortega faces serious charges, including one count of Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, and varying degrees of assault as outlined in a recent press release by the DA's office.

The events transpired on the afternoon of February 17, when Ortega, acting alongside an unapprehended accomplice, engaged in a violent altercation with the 66-year-old owner of Daniels Wilhelmina Funeral Home; according to the statement by DA Bragg, “As alleged, Luis Ortega maliciously robbed and assaulted the 66-year-old owner of a funeral home in a coordinated and brazen attack. The victim in this case provides vital support for people who are often facing immense tragedies, and I hope he can continue to recover from his injuries.” The attack started with a pretense of asking about funeral arrangements, but quickly escalated when both attackers put on masks and assaulted the victim, according to court documents and statements made on the record, as noted in the press release.

In the course of the attack, the victim was reportedly punched repeatedly and forced to a back room where a demand for money was made, the situation was further exacerbated by one assailant wielding a machete; during the incident, Ortega seized the victim’s computer, phone, and wallet, leaving the owner with a cut to his lip and bruising and pain across his face and body. The capture of Ortega came weeks later, on March 5, in the Bronx, while his accomplice remains at large.

Assistant D.A. Zachary Kotin of Trial Bureau 70 is charged with the responsibility of prosecuting the case under guidance from Assistant D.A. David Hammer and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo, thanks were given by D.A. Bragg to Detective Brian Greaige of the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad and the NYPD, the call for public assistance remains, as anyone with information about the ongoing investigation or the unknown second assailant is encouraged to contact authorities at 212-690-6315.