MODESTO — Deputies in California on Saturday arrested a man on suspicion of holding his ‘girlfriend’ captive for a month.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office reported: Saul Ortega, a 29-year-old Modesto resident was arrested for multiple charges, including kidnapping and torture of his girlfriend, a 25-year-old Modesto resident. The female reported being held against her will for approximately one month.
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, at about 1:30 a.m., The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office requesting a security check of an adult female after she said she had been held against her will and tortured in Stanislaus County by her new boyfriend, Ortega.
Patrol deputies were able to locate the female who had escaped Ortega Thursday afternoon. She had extensive injuries to her body, including bruises and burns, and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The female did not immediately call police because Ortega threatened her and her family.
Detectives from the Crimes Against Person Unit responded and took over the investigation, and were assisted by the SWAT team, Special Investigations Unit, Crime Scene Investigation unit, and Unmanned Aerial System team.
At about 8:45 a.m., the SWAT team responded to the 1000 block of Paradise Road to serve an arrest warrant for Ortega and search warrant of the residence. Ortega was located and arrested, and an elderly female was also detained, but later released after cooperating with detectives.
Ortega was arrested for kidnapping, false imprisonment, rape, torture, mayhem, domestic violence, criminal threats, possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, and felon in possession of firearms. He is currently being held on $1,000,000 bail at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.
There is reason to believe Ortega may have victimized others. If you believe you or someone you know was a victim, or have any information regarding this investigation, contact Detective D. Gonzalez at (209) 595-8686. You can also make an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636
