Man Pleads Guilty To Firearm Charge

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

August 5, 2021

A man found with a handgun and ammunition after he tried escaping from Meriden police has pleaded guilty to a firearm charge.

Alejandro Ortiz, 23, was wanted in New Britain and Bristol when Meriden police say he drove around a car and struck a police cruiser on Sept. 24. The collision occurred after he was pulled over in the area of 731 W. Main St. He then drove off the road and into a creek, where he crawled out of his vehicle and was arrested, according to police.

Inside the car, Meriden police found a handgun, two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.

Ortiz was taken to an area hospital. Once medically cleared, he was being escorted by police when he broke free and ran from officers while he was handcuffed, police said. He was apprehended again after a brief foot chase.

In addition to the five warrants out for his arrest, Ortiz was also charged with escape from custody, carrying a pistol without a permit, weapons in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, operating under suspension, reckless driving and failure to obey traffic control signal.

Two of the warrants, which Meriden police served, charged Ortiz with first- and second-degree failure to appear.

The other warrants, stemming from New Britain and Bristol, were later served on Ortiz.

According to judicial records, Ortiz has pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a pistol without a permit in connection with his two escape attempts in Meriden. That case is being heard in New Haven Superior Court.

Judicial records also said that, in the New Britain and Bristol cases, which are being prosecuted in the New Britain courthouse, Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges, including those of third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny, interfering with an officer, engaging police in pursuit and reckless driving.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.