Man Fired Shots After Arguing With Guests At Motor Lodge: Naugatuck PD

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Waterbury man is accused of firing gunshots from his vehicle after arguing with guests at the Naugatuck Motor Lodge on Monday morning, according to police.

Police responded to the Naugatuck Motor Lodge at 732 New Haven Rd. around 9 a.m. on Oct. 7 on the report of gunfire involving a man who had been in a dispute.

Witnesses told police that a man, identified as 32-year-old Reuben Ortiz, had been involved in an argument with guests and began firing a gun from his vehicle before leaving the motor lodge, according to police.

There were no injuries from the gunfire, according to police.

Police said officers searched the area for Ortiz and found his vehicle at a residence on Marsh Hill Road in Naugatuck.

“Ortiz was taken into custody without incident after police surrounded the residence, and Ortiz was ordered out,” police wrote in a news release. “Search warrants were executed, and detectives recovered a .40 handgun and shell casings. Ortiz has an extensive criminal history and is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.”

Ortiz was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, misuse of a license plate, operating a vehicle without insurance, operating a vehicle under suspension, and operating an unregistered vehicle.

Ortiz was held in lieu of a $250,000 bond and was arraigned at Waterbury Superior Court on Tuesday.

“We thank the community for their patience and understanding as this incident resulted in a large deployment of police resources both on New Haven Road and Marsh Hill Road, and it was ultimately resolved peacefully and without further incident,” police wrote.