Richmond County authorities have safely returned two children to their mother after the victims’ drug-dealing father abducted them at gunpoint Wednesday, authorities said.
The father, Jorge Gonzalez-Ortiz, received help from his mother and new girlfriend, who were also charged. In addition, Gonzalez-Ortiz was captured in a vehicle containing over 2 kilos of cocaine as well as marijuana, meth, heroin and $13,000 in cash, authorities said.
It all started at 4:22 a.m. Wednesday when deputies responded to the 3300 Block of Middleton Place in reference to a kidnapping. The victim, Leydi Hernandez, said Gonzalez-Ortiz had come there and taken their two children, ages 6 and 8. The two additional subjects were identified as Gonzalez-Ortiz’s mother, Maria Lorenzo, and his new girlfriend, Barbara Avila.
All three fled the residence with the children, who were found about two hours later at a residence on the 2000 Block of Virginia Avenue in safe and in good condition at 6:46 a.m., a press releasee says.
Deputies located and arrested Barbara Avila and Maria Lorenzo who were also present at the residence. A short time later, Deputies were able to locate and arrest Jorge Gonzalez-Ortiz while driving his silver Honda Civic at the intersection of Stevens Creek Rd and Washington Road.
A search warrant was executed on the vehicle Jorge Gonzalez-Ortiz was driving which yielded a large amount of drugs, money and a handgun. There were 82.2 ounces (2.325 kilos) of cocaine, 16.5 ounces of marijuana, 18.9 ounces of methamphetamine, 8.6 ounces of heroin and $13,080 in cash.
Jorge Gonzalez-Ortiz, Barbara Avila and Maria Lorenzo are being charged with felony counts of home invasion, two counts of kidnapping of a minor, kidnapping of an adult and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Jorge Gonzalez-Ortiz has also been charged with three counts of drug trafficking (cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin) and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
“The investigation is still ongoing and more charges may be made as it develops,” a report says.
