Every available law enforcement officer in the county appeared to converge on the area around 712 Fleming Street on Saturday night at about 11:30 pm.  Again, a language barrier conveyed incorrect information to Public Safety, but a gun was taken off the street.

The residents at 712 Fleming Street reported that the suspect in the August 20 murder had just left the house, or so that was what 911 and responding officers thought they were saying.  Unfortunately, it turned out it was not the suspect, but a man with a gun.

Public Safety Officers, Sheriff's Deputies and GSP all converged on the area in search of the murder suspect, Francisco (AKA Pancho) Juan Resendez.

As some officers searched back yards others continued their patrol of the area.

At left, Ortiz is led away by Cpl Brian Boyett

Some 15 minutes later, Sheriff's Sgt Ed Moorhead spotted the suspect, that had been described, on Tallahassee Highway at Alice Street.

Sgt Moorhead took him into custody with no incident.  On his person, the 29 year old Erlin Garcia Ortiz had a loaded pistol with a paper bag of bullets and a knife.

Confiscated Gun

With an interpreter brought in, it appears that Ortiz had gone to 712 Fleming Street about a car and had brandished the gun in an attempt to convince the residents of his argument.  BPS Investigator Anthony Stubbs also responded to the search and arrest.

We would anticipate charges to be aggravated assault and possession of a fire arm without a license.

Added Aug 30
Erlin Garcia Ortiz, 29, of 1623 Yates Spring Road, Brinson was charged with public drunkenness and carrying a concealed weapon.