Man arrested in Lamont for alleged home invasion involving elderly man, theft spree

by BakersfieldNow Staff

LAMONT, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 32-year-old man, Michael Ortiz, was arrested Tuesday morning in Lamont following a series of alleged crimes, including a home invasion involving an assault of an elderly man and a theft spree.

Deputies responded to a call at approximately 8:51 a.m. on the 9100 block of South Fairfax Road, where an elderly man reported being assaulted. The suspect allegedly broke into the victim's home, wrapped a blanket around the victim's head, broke one cellphone, and stole another phone along with tools before fleeing the scene. The suspect was described as a man in his 20s, wearing a dark brown hooded jacket and dark pants.

Later, at around 10:47 a.m., deputies were called to a theft near South Sterling Road, where a bicycle was stolen from outside a home. The victim attempted to follow the suspect, who rode away on the bike, but lost him near South Fairfax Road and Hermosa Road after the suspect entered an almond orchard. The description of the suspect matched that of the earlier incident.

Deputies discovered the victim's bike abandoned in the orchard and, upon searching the area, found Ortiz hiding in a tree. Ortiz was allegedly in possession of stolen items from both incidents, as well as additional items linked to a burglary on the 7500 block of South Fairfax Road.

Ortiz was booked into the Kern County Jail on multiple charges, including attempted murder, elder abuse, two counts of burglary, two counts of vandalism, false imprisonment, robbery, damage to a wireless device, grand theft, battery, and petty theft.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.

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Man arrested in Lamont for alleged home invasion involving elderly man, theft spree