Man Arrested by Orange County Authorities Following Home Invasion, Assault

After searching for a suspect following a reported home invasion, Orange County authorities reported arresting one man on assault and breaking and entering charges.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a release late Tuesday night revealing 40-year-old Jose Daniel Martinez-Ortiz faces two charges of assault on a female, as well as first degree kidnaping, assault with a deadly weapon and breaking and entering.

Earlier on Tuesday, the office shared a release saying a female resident at Longwood Drive, which is off of Whitfield Road and north of Chapel Hill, reported an armed man attacked her around 2:30 p.m. The sheriff’s office said the victim reported the man attempted to grab her before punching her in the stomach and jaw.

The woman then fought to get free from the man, ripped his shirt and ran out of the house, according to Tuesday’s report. Afterward, the suspect fled toward Whitfield Road.

When speaking with WRAL, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood revealed the victim caused the attacker to drop his cell phone, which aided investigators in their search Tuesday evening.

“Everything we were able to do tonight was the result of two things,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “First, the resident of the home, when attacked, fought back, and she fought back hard. Because of her actions, the attacker dropped some items of evidence which assisted in identifying him.”

Blackwood also credited aid from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office for their work in identifying and searching for Martinez-Ortiz, who was found in Durham. He said a strike team, which is typically used to confront violent offenders, was able to locate Martinez-Ortiz and take him into custody without incident.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the home invasion at Longwood Drive is still active. Tuesday’s release said more information on the case will be provided as it becomes available.

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