Jose Luis Ortega shot his estranged wife, took off w/the kids

[Jaded]

6/15/2008 SUNLAND-TUJUNGA -- Los Angeles Police activated the Amber Alert system to help find a man and two little sons, after the man shot his estranged wife in front of the kids in a north Los Angeles neighborhood Sunday.


Jose Luis Ortega, 27, is believed to possibly be fleeing toward Mexico in a 1998 black Ford Ranger pickup truck, with California license 7Z19738, said Los Angeles Police Officer Karen Smith.

Police said the mother was apparently dropping off the two boys at their father's house in the 10400 block of McBroom Street around 10:45 a.m. when the former couple got into an argument and Ortega allegedly shot the mother, said Smith. Ortega then fled with the children.


The woman, whose name was not immediately available, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains in serious condition, Smith said.

An Amber Alert for the boys, identified as 3-year-old Luis Gonzalo Ortega and 5-year-old Diego Fabian Ortega, was issued about two hours later due to lack of cooperation from the suspect's family, police said.


Diego is 5 years old and was last seen wearing a blue and green checkered shirt, blue jeans and white shoes. Luis is 3 years old. The toddler was last seen wearing a red checkered shirt and white shoes.


According to police, their father 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.
If contacted, Ortega is to be considered armed and dangerous.


Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diego, Luis and Jose is asked to call 911. For any additional information, please contact Foothill Division Detectives at (818) 756-8861.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?se...ate&id=6207514

[Jaded]

They have cancelled the Amber Alert but the boys are still missing.....

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp...&nav=menu107_2

From article:

An Amber Alert is no longer in effect for two boys in Southern California, although the boys are both still missing.

Police in California have found the black truck the suspect was believed to be driving. Unfortunately, it was abandoned.

The Amber Alert was cancelled because police do not have a description of a new vehicle the father and boys could be using.

The mother was shot at least 12 times, but is alive and was able to identify her husband as the shooter and kidnapper.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

So if they don't know your vehicle, they don't issue an Amber Alert? If a coo-coo walks off with your kids they just hope he's not far? I thought the whole Amber Alert idea was to get info to everyone about the kid(s) - not the car.

[w8ng4msrgt]

So if they don't know your vehicle, they don't issue an Amber Alert? If a coo-coo walks off with your kids they just hope he's not far? I thought the whole Amber Alert idea was to get info to everyone about the kid(s) - not the car.

It is but it was designed with vehicles in mind. It uses up a lot of resources. I don't know what it is like up in ND but here in CA and TX it is posted on freeways, etc.

[Jaded]

I think, after the dude shot his wife 12 times (probably in front of the children), that I wouldn't mind those resources being used to find the fucker.

[Shadow]

I think, after the dude shot his wife 12 times (probably in front of the children), that I wouldn't mind those resources being used to find the fucker.

I'm in agreement with you.

~ceisdsgil

[w8ng4msrgt]

I think, after the dude shot his wife 12 times (probably in front of the children), that I wouldn't mind those resources being used to find the fucker.

What I meant by resources is that it is a direct feed to police cars, electronic freeway signs, etc. It is not that the cops are not still looking for him but the Amber Plan is not effective without vehicle information.

The Amber Plan was set up so the public could help catch the bad guys or girls.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I know what signs you mean. I see them in Minneapolis where they give traffic warnings: "3 car pileup at 494-694 split" stuff.

Other than Mpls., The whole of Interstate 94 across the state of MN, all of ND, and MT to Bozeman has none.
Most common sign is "No Services" at the exits. :)

Other than media alerts, there is no other method. Even if no vehicle is known, the descriptions of the kids are given... plus whatever else they may know. Luckily it is extremely rare that we have one.

Electronic signs would be nice. Only way we know the roads are closed are:
1. You and everyone else are stuck in the snow and no plows are in sight.
2. You find a local radio station (a feat in itself) and you hear it inbetween cattle reports or sugar beet updates.
3. The gates on the exits are shut. (yes, we have closing gates)

It's the toolies here, I tell ya. But I love it.