DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. – The manhunt for the suspect in carjacking and who threaten to give the driver HIV surrendered himself to police.
On Friday September 30th at 11:49 a.m. Swatara Township Police responded to the intersection of Mushroom Hill Road and Grayson Road for report of a shooting.
Once on the scene, police found a female who had been involved in the incident waiting inside of the Walmart Superstore. She told officers that a man got into her car in the parking lot, threatened her by saying that he had something that would give her HIV, and demanded to be driven away from the store.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had just attempted to commit a theft inside of Walmart and was in the process of running away. The driver of the vehicle followed the man’s orders and drove off of Walmart’s property. When she stopped at a red light on Grayson Road, a female passenger got out of the car, produced a handgun, and demanded that the man get out of the car. He exited and began to struggle with the female for control of the gun. The gun went off at least one time and the man ran from the scene.
It is unknown if the suspect was shot. Both female victims were unharmed. The two returned to Walmart to wait for police. The unidentified female was in legal possession of the gun and had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
The Pennsylvania State Police responded to assist with a helicopter in a search for the suspect. Summit Search & Rescue also responded to assist with a tracking Bloodhound. In addition Lower Paxton Police and Harrisburg City Police provided assistance during the ensuing investigation. The suspect was positively identified as 45-year-old Michael Ortiz of Harrisburg.
Oritz surrendered to police this morning and was arraigned before District Justice Michael Smith on two counts of Kidnapping for Ransom, Robbery while Threatening Serious Injury, Unlawful Restraint, Terroristic Threats and Retail Theft. Following arraignment he was sent to Dauphin County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail. He faces a preliminary hearing later this month.
