Boys Safely Recovered

June 17, 2008

On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., the grandfather of 5-year-old Diego and 3-year-old Luis, received a telephone call from a relative who lives in Mexico. The relative said that he had the two boys in his care and wanted to notify the Los Angeles Police Department. Personnel from the LAPD were called and picked up the children at the Mexican Boarder. Both kids are in good condition and will soon be in the care of Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Jose Luis Ortega, the suspect, is still being sought after by police and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1. For any additional information, please contact Foothill Division Detectives at 818-756-8861. After hours and on the weekends, calls may be directed to a toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).
Estranged Husband Shoots Woman, Abducts Two Children
On June 15, 2008, at about 10:40 a.m., a female, Hispanic attempted to drop off her two children, 5-year-old Diego Fabian Ortega and 3-year-old Luis Gonzalo Ortega, at her estranged husband’s residence in the 10400 block of McBroom Street in Sunland. Jose Luis Ortega, 27, shot his estranged wife a number of times after the two became involved in an argument.
Ortega grabbed the children and left the scene in a black, 1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck, California License plate 7Z19738. Because the suspect said that he was going to possibly escape to Mexico and threatened to kill his wife’s family, an America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert was issued.
The mother of Diego and Luis was transported to a local area hospital and was listed in critical condition.
Later in the evening, around 11:00 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recovered the Ford pick up truck in Lancaster, CA, and the AMBER Alert was canceled.
Suspect Jose Luis Ortega is described as a male, Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, 180 pounds and has a medium build and a light complexion.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diego, Luis and Jose is asked to call 9-1-1. For any additional information, please contact Foothill Division Detectives at 818-756-8861. After hours and on the weekends, calls may be directed to a toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).