Alleged meth dealer arrested after Menlo Park police chase
Authorities said Ortiz denied selling drugs, and he has pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges prosecutors filed Wednesday.
An East Palo Alto man who prosecutors say led police on a short chase this week in Menlo Park is facing felony drug charges.
Ricardo Ramirez Ortiz, 29, had methamphetamine in his pocket when he was arrested after the chase, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Menlo Park police said an officer pulled Ortiz over after he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Menalto Avenue and Green Street just after 9 p.m. Monday. He sped off as the officer approached his car for the traffic stop, according to police.
Ortiz led officers on the chase for about two-tenths of a mile before he and another man jumped out of the car and ran away, police said. Their car wound up rolling and crashing into another car that was parked nearby.
Ortiz was later arrested while hiding on a patio, while the other man was not found, authorities said.
Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Ortiz with three felony counts related to drug dealing and fleeing police, in addition to misdemeanors for resisting police and hit and run.
Authorities said Ortiz denied selling drugs, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.