For the second time in a week, the Brentwood Police Department arrested Adam Ortega. On Friday, police say he was found to be in possession of multiple weapons.
According to police who took to social media, they say they were alerted by a resident who reported a suspicious person with a large knife in his back pocket, however, he was not brandishing the knife. Police responded to the area of Tuckahoe Way near the creek area where they located Ortega, 35 of Brentwood.
Ortega was cooperative with police and was found to be in possession of a machete, hatchet, a knife and a billy club. He was arrested for felony possession of a billy club and a misdemeanor probation violation. He was transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
Police confirmed Ortegas is the same man for a vandalism and petty theft on April 11. The incident exploded across the Bay Area after images of Ortega was observed on camera with a machete and he was not taken to jail due to COVID-19 and was released–a claim Brentwood PD disputed and issued a response.
Here was the response as previously reported:
Photo by Brentwood Police
We are receiving a lot of feedback about a story on social media and the local news that has raised concerns with some in the community. And, that response is understandable given the partial information that has been reported.
The story involved a suspect, holding a machete, who was on the front porch of a Brentwood home, who vandalized the property, and ultimately was arrested and cited by our officers for a misdemeanor and not taken to county jail.
But, there is a key element missing from this story.
As far as our officers were concerned when they responded that morning, there was no machete. Nor was there any reason to think a machete was part of this incident. The homeowner did not report that the man had a machete. The photos from the video surveillance the homeowner provided did not show the suspect holding a machete. When officers found the suspect, he wasn’t holding a machete.
The photos attached to this post are the images the officers saw that morning.
It was only on the NEXT DAY that we were provided a new portion of the video by the homeowner showing the suspect holding a machete.
It was clearly a traumatic night for the homeowner and his family. Often times, in situations like this, important information does not come out immediately and, given the dramatic nature of these events, that’s not unreasonable.
At the time, what our officers were confronted with was a suspect that had knocked on the homeowner’s door shortly after 2 AM, was seen on-camera wearing a mask and looking into cars, he slashed a car tire, and had damaged and removed two security cameras.
Officers responded within five minutes but the suspect was not there. He did return to the home at around 4 AM, and this time our officers, responded in one minute and found the suspect near the home.
All of the stolen items, which were returned to the homeowner, were valued at $300. Under state law this is petty theft, a misdemeanor. He was arrested but released with a notice to appear in court. This is how petty theft and vandalism investigations are currently handled.
If the officers had information at the time about a machete, it could have altered the outcome of the investigation and arrest. This new evidence will be delivered to the District Attorney’s Office for further consideration of additional charges.
In addition, we are working under this new directive provided by Sheriff Livingston to all Contra Costa Police Agencies:
“The highest risk of exposure and spread of the virus will come from arrestees brought into the facility. Therefore, the Office of the Sheriff will only be accepting arrestees charged with felony on-view crimes and warrants, domestic violence related misdemeanors, and restraining order violations. We ask all arresting agencies make reasonable efforts to limit the number of transports to the Martinez Detention Facility by exercising authority to cite release in the field in lieu of transporting and booking. If exceptions to this policy become necessary, please have your on-duty supervisor or watch commander contact the jail supervisor or sheriff’s office watch commander to discuss.”
We have received several questions as to how we would allow an armed person with a machete get away.
We hope this provides an understanding of what we did, and why, given the information we had at the time.
Sometimes the law can be very frustrating and confusing, but know that we will always do our utmost to provide our community with the best service possible.
8 comments
Is it finally time for him to get jailed or will we wait for him to harm someone?
He has clearly not knocked on the correct front door at 2 in the morning…….
I don’t think he came to that family’s house holding a machete in order to scratch their backs!
Mr. Ortega will be booked into MDC, tested for CO19 and then released with the 4000 other inmates who were arrested for a non violent crime. You see we must prevent the spreading of the virus through the prison population and ensure all prisoners get the test before any of us good citizens can get tested. Are you starting to understand the value of a good citizen is today?
It’s all working according to plans… we’re all fucked , and everybody’s guilty.
So…….it’s on !
Ready to get my hands soaked…in the… blood…of…. tyrants…..
Anyone opposed is just a ….
well, …..find out pretty boy
All you that voted for Prop 47 and these liberal politicians are getting what you asked for!! Bleeding hearts !!
Even with no 47, they still would’ve did this.
I always thought that was a terrible location for new homes. That’s a turd part of Brentwood, always has been.
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