Iowa City man accused of breaking into a dozen cars

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man faces multiple burglary charges after breaking into numerous vehicles earlier this month.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 21, officers were attempting to find 20-year-old William E. Ortiz after a disturbance at his home on South Riverside Drive. Ortiz was found in the 800 block of Basswood Lane. Police said he was bleeding and taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Police later discovered multiple vehicles on Basswood Lane had been entered. Blood was found on the vehicles and the owners reported that cash and other items were missing.

Ortiz was arrested Jan. 28 and now faces a dozen counts of third-degree burglary of an unoccupied motor vehicle, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison. Jail records show Ortiz posted a $1,000 cash or surety bond on each count and was released from custody on Jan. 29.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com