Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Andrew Carlos Ortiz, 34, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for allegedly threatening to stab another man at GRACE Marketplace; he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, and resisting an officer without violence.

At about 6:10 p.m. on May 24, a Gainesville Police Department Officer responded to GRACE Marketplace, where the victim said Ortiz walked up to him in front of the dorms and punched him in the head several times in an unprovoked attack, then pushed him against the wall, preventing him from escaping. A bystander pulled Ortiz away, but the victim said Ortiz pulled out a silver pocket knife with a black handle and threatened to stab him. After the victim pleaded with Ortiz to not stab him, Ortiz and the bystander left the area. The officer reported that surveillance video corroborated the victim’s account of the incident.

At about 7:37 p.m. yesterday, a GPD Officer reportedly saw Ortiz walking in the 2600 block of NE Waldo Road; the officer reportedly knew that Ortiz had a warrant for the above incident at GRACE Marketplace. The officer reported that Ortiz was carrying a bag across his chest and clutched it before turning away and running. Ortiz allegedly took off the white bag and threw it down as he ran; he was taken into custody after a short foot chase.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a knife that matched the description provided by the victim in the May incident.

A search of the bag reportedly produced 7.27 grams of methamphetamines, packaged for sale.

Ortiz has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, tampering with evidence, and resisting an officer without violence. He has three felony convictions (none violent); he has served one state prison sentence for charges out of Columbia County and was released in November 2023. He reportedly has active warrants out of Ohio, Indiana, and Miami-Dade County. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $210,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.