WESTFIELD – The law finally caught up with a man who has had two warrants out for his arrest for charges that include threatening to murder his girlfriend’s ex.
Rafael A. Ortiz, 34, of Springfield was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Tuesday on two outstanding warrants dating back to threats made in December 2014.
Ortiz was released on $1,000 cash on Tuesday, was due in Springfield District Court on Wednesday and then due in Westfield District Court on Thursday.
He was released on $2,500 personal surety for the following charges for which he was arraigned in Westfield District Court: two counts of threat to commit a crime (murder), criminal harassment and witness/juror/police/court official intimidation.
The victim first contacted Westfield Police on December 16 to report that Ortiz allegedly told him, “I will deal with you on the spot, and I’m not going to use my hands,” which the victim took to mean he would use a gun, according to Westfield Police Officer Patrick Shea’s report.
Ortiz was reportedly dating the victim’s ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of one of the victim’s children.
Additionally, the victim reported Ortiz as saying “I have 357 reasons to deal with you,” which the victim assumed meant using a .357 magnum firearm on him, according to Shea.
Ortiz allegedly made other threats including, “I’m going to put you six feet under! I know where you and your kids rest your heads at,” Shea wrote.
Shea wrote that “Ortiz has an extensive violent criminal history which includes firearms charges and armed robbery.”
Reportedly Shea was unable to obtain a current address for Ortiz.
On December 29, the victim returned to Westfield police to report that he had received approximately 20 phone calls to his cell within a three-hour period that day from a private number and several threatening messages were left allegedly by Ortiz, according to court records.
The threats again referred to “ending” the victim.
The victim told police he believes Ortiz is making threats against him due to the victim receiving full custody of the child he fathered with his ex.
Allegedly, Ortiz also threatened bodily harm to the victim’s case worker at DCF.
Ortiz is due back in Westfield District Court on December 3.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
