Lowell Police got a 911 call about a car stolen from a woman on Cottage Street just before 11 p.m.
I’m not sure what all the details of that were, except that at 11 p.m., police put out a stop and hold for a 2009 Acura TSX, last seen on Cottage Street, fleeing toward Central Street.
State Police said in radio broadcasts that the car may have been stolen “by force,” though the theft was not described as a carjacking. The theft was said to be less than 2 minutes old at that point.
At 11:02 p.m., Officer James Matos reported he spotted the car and that it was failing to stop near West Fourth Street. Police from across the city converged on the area.
Following a short chase though Centralville, officers called for Trinity Ambulance to Third and Beech streets at 11:03 p.m. The stolen Acura had struck a parked Chevrolet Corsica and rolled onto its roof.
The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was down on the sidewalk when I got to the scene. He was treated for what appeared to be minor injuries and taken to Lowell General Hospital with an officer on board the ambulance and two cruisers following behind.
Police said the driver was identified as Adriano Ortiz, 25, of Lawrence, and that his license had been revoked. It was not immediately clear what other charges he will face. There will be motor vehicle charges in connection with the pursuit, and charges in connection with the car being taken.
I’m told the woman who owns the car was not hurt in the theft. She was still being interviewed by detectives at 12:20 a.m.
It sounds like Ortiz has a pretty lengthy record. I have no way at this hour to confirm whether he is the same person mentioned in this story from 2007. (See the second of two briefs in that link).
Ortiz will be arraigned today in Lowell District Court. I’m off on Thursday, so check www.lowellsun.com for updates on his arraignment and additional information.
