Arizona man gets 14 years for shooting victim, then stealing and burning his car
Adonijah Ortega shot the victim in the leg and struck him in the head with a pistol. He then fled with the man's vehicle, tried to set it on fire and shot at it.
The convict stole a victim's car, then set it on fire and shot at it, according to authorities. This file photo depicts a vehicle fire. (Photo: Department of Public Safety via X)
(Photo: Department of Public Safety via X)
A 23-year-old carjacking culprit was sentenced to prison for attacking his victim in a Target parking lot in Peoria four years ago, authorities announced Tuesday.
A federal judge handed down the 14-year-sentence to Adonijah Josiah Ortega last week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
Ortega, who lives in Phoenix, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
What was Peoria carjacker sentenced for?
The victim was in the parking lot near 91st and Northern avenues on Aug. 8, 2022, when Ortega approached him and demanded his wallet and keys, prosecutors said. A physical struggle followed.
During the confrontation, Ortega repeatedly struck the victim in the head with a handgun before shooting him in the head. Ortega then stole the victim’s vehicle, a gray 2004 Toyota 4-Runner.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for the gunshot wound and head lacerations.
Prosecutors said Ortega later poured gasoline inside the vehicle and fired at it in an attempt to set it on fire.
Authorities arrested Ortega at an apartment complex three days after the carjacking. He was 19 at the time of the crime.
Timothy Courchaine, U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona, said his office remains committed to keeping communities across Arizona safe.
“Violent perpetrators like Mr. Ortega should know there is no safe place for them in Arizona because we won’t rest until we see them behind bars,” Courchaine said in the announcement.
Related
2 Phoenix officers fired for ‘off-the-books traffic stop’ plead not guilty to multiple alleged crimes
2 injured, 1 detained after fight escalates into stabbing in Mesa
2 men arrested after allegedly impersonating officers, threatening people in Glendale
Man flees DUI stop, crashes into Mesa apartment complex before being arrested
One person dead, another seriously injured after early-morning shooting in Scottsdale
Impairment, speed possible factors in Scottsdale crash that left 1 dead, 1 injured, police say
Comments
0 Comments