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Detective Heitor Teixeira got arrest warrants Friday morning for Jesus “BeBe” Ortiz, 23; Jhonathan “Scarface” Ortiz-LaPorte, 25; and Jose Ortiz, 26, all of 83 Seeley St.
Each faces charges of murder, conspiracy and other charges in connection with the death of Ivan Rodriguez-Mendez, 51, who was fatally stabbed on Oct. 18 outside the multiple-family home.
“Detectives worked on this case nonstop from Day 1, and did an outstanding job,” Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. said in a statement. “I’m grateful for their hard work and grateful that our department could provide justice for the victim and his family.”
The three brothers had gone to the third-floor apartment where the victim lived and demanded to see him that evening, police said. But he wasn’t there.
Witnesses described a confrontation inside, during which a victim inside the apartment was cut in the arm, police said.
The three brothers fled downstairs and moments later witnesses reported hearing gunfire, police said.
Rodriguez-Mendez was found outside the house. An autopsy confirmed he died from a stab wound to the leg and a loss of blood.
“I’m proud of the work our police officers and detectives do every day with the community to keep our kids and families safe, and we have seen the results,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Violence consistently has been on the decline in Bridgeport. When it does occur, however, we need to hold people accountable. When we accomplish that, it sends an important message: When you commit violence in Bridgeport, you will be arrested and go to jail.”
Witness accounts and a cellphone recovered at the scene belonging to Jose Ortiz assisted detectives in securing warrants for the arrest of the three brothers.
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