Greenfield Man Sentenced to 30 Years to Life for Murder After Intentionally Running Over Man to Avoid Arrest

 

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on September 25 that 27-year-old Paulo Cesar Alcaraz Ortiz of Greenfield, was sentenced to a total of 30 years and 8 months to life after being convicted of First Degree Murder for intentionally running over Guadalupe Garcia, Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, Evading a Peace Officer Causing Death, Unlawfully Driving a Stolen Vehicle, and Resisting an Executive Officer. Judge Andrew Liu sentenced Ortiz on September 25 after hearing from members of Guadalupe Garcia's heartbroken family.

On November 16, 2021, Ortiz was in a car stolen from a friend’s parent. A police officer tried to

contact the Ortiz, but he refused to obey the officer’s orders and began a high-speed chase from

arrest. On several occasions Ortiz attempted to strike pedestrians with his car and missed. At one point he

rammed a police car to avoid capture. Finally, he targeted the victim Guadalupe Garcia with an intent to

kill him. He missed in his first try but followed the fleeing victim through a field and drove over him and

killing him. Police vehicles, including Soledad Police Chief Wasson, then rammed Ortiz' vehicle and dragged

him out of his car. Ortiz told the police that he believed killing the victim would either cause

the police to stop chasing him or cause them to kill him.

The victim was a well-known and beloved member of his community.

This case was investigated by the Greenfield and Soledad Police Departments.