FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, July 14, 2023

MAN CHARGED FOLLOWING ENCOUNTER WITH POLICE IN BAYONNE

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit has charged a 35-year-old man following an encounter with law enforcement in Bayonne on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Kelvin Oritz, of Jersey City, is charged with Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b, a crime of the second degree; four counts of Aggravated Assault (Attempt to Cause Serious Bodily Injury) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), crimes of the second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (vehicle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, a crime of the fourth degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (vehicle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, a crime of the third degree. Ortiz is currently in custody at Jersey City Medical Center.

On Thursday, July 13, 2023, just after 6:45 a.m., the Bayonne Police Department received a report of a theft from a gas station on 53rd Street near Avenue E. Responding officers located a person of interest – later identified as Ortiz – at a parking lot in the area of Broadway and 54th Street. After being approached by law enforcement, Ortiz fled the scene in his vehicle, striking police vehicles and an unoccupied civilian vehicle. One Officer discharged his weapon. Ortiz was located a short time later in the area of Linden Avenue and Scott Street in Jersey City with apparent gunshot wounds.

In accordance with guidelines by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and NJOAG were notified. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team and Major Crimes Unit are actively investigating this matter. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)