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Man charged with attempting to burn down East Naples house with ex-girlfriend, family inside
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Omar Cortez
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NAPLES — A 32-year-old man broke into his ex-girlfriend’s East Naples apartment early Wednesday and then tried to burn it down with her, her baby and her 70-year-old mother sleeping inside, Collier County Sheriff’s deputies said.
Omar Cortez, 32, of 3000 Areca Ave., No. 1, was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder as well as arson and burglary.
Sound asleep around 2:30 a.m. in her apartment at 4062 Bayshore Drive, No. 626, Michelle Gonzalez, 27, said her 70-year-old mother, Marta Villegas, woke her when she heard a banging noise.
“I told her it was her nerves bothering her,” Gonzalez said.
Shortly after the two women went back to sleep, they awoke again to the smell of smoke and a blaring fire alarm. Gonzalez’s baby daughter was asleep in a back bedroom, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Gonzalez went into the kitchen where she saw a cloth engulfed in flames on the front burner of her stove.
She poured water on the cloth and called authorities. She told deputies the cloth had been on the kitchen counter prior to her going to bed, reports said.
All of the stove’s electric burners were turned on high and the oven was on. The refrigerator door was open and the front door to the apartment was open, deputies said.
The front window of the apartment was also smashed in, and nearby, deputies found a yellow polo shirt belonging to Gonzalez’s ex-boyfriend, Cortez.
The shirt was one of Cortez’s belongings that Gonzalez packed up for him when she kicked him out of the apartment on Aug. 3, the Sheriff’s Office reported. She told deputies he had not been allowed back inside the apartment since that day, officials said.
Gonzalez said Cortez frequently threatened to harm her.
“When we had discussions, he would get really aggressive,” Gonzalez said. “He would say he wanted to beat me or bang me.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Cortez came by the apartment, but Gonzalez and Villegas refused to let him inside.
Gonzalez said Cortez called her on the telephone numerous times Tuesday evening, reports said. Around 11 p.m., he left her a phone message, saying that he “had to do this tonight.”
Gonzalez said she didn’t understand what he meant and deleted the message. She said she re-checked the locks on the door before going to bed.
Cortez is not the father of her baby, Gonzalez said. She believes Cortez very well may have been trying to kill her and her family.
“He told me on the day I leave him I will regret it,” Gonzalez said. “I believe he wanted to scare the hell out of me, and he did.”
Deputies on patrol reported seeing Cortez walking north on Bayshore Drive around 2:20 a.m.
Deputies said they noticed Cortez because he had an unusually long stride. Deputies asked Gonzalez if there was anything unusual about Cortez’s walk and she told them he takes unusually large steps.
Deputies located Cortez at his residence and arrested him. They believe the crime was pre-meditated, reports said.
“I just want him to be far from here, away from me, where he can be no kind of danger,” Gonzalez said. “It scares me a lot. I no longer feel secure.”
Comments
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Attempted murder, arson, and burglary.....is deportation, or really anything short of a life spent behind bars, going to teach this young man something he doesn't already know?
Only a coward would wait till the family was asleep to confront them with his anger and resentment. Understandably perhaps what this man might not understand is his freedom, and his right to live. Perhaps a sit down talk with good ole' sparky (the electrical chair) might sway him to an understanding that the innocent will be protected vigilantly.
Then again, in a twist of thoughts, perhaps this man wanted to be the rescuer, or even more sick, perhaps he was simply trying to create choas for the former lover.
Either way, he found contentment with putting the lives of three innocent, and otherwise undeserving people, at risk.
#1 Posted by SHIFTT on August 27, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Gonzalez’s 1-month-old daughter was asleep in a crib in the back bedroom."
I do hope her husband was mindful enough to wake up and protect his baby from the flames.
#2 Posted by R_Popoff on August 27, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give the guy a break!! He probably forget to turn the stove off after making some black beans and rice!!!!
#3 Posted by Spec on August 27, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darn Irish Illegals.
#4 Posted by cousinjed on August 27, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
join numbersusa and wehategringos. there are to many crimes being commited on a daiy basis by people that are not suppose to be here. LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK , MORE PEOPLE VOTE FOR AMERICAN IDOL, GET OFF THE COUCH AND DO SOMETHING BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!!
#5 Posted by lassie on August 27, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"An unusually long stride".....what, for a Mexican? Sure he wasn't really running?
Illegals can leave the 3rd world, but the 3rd world can never leave them.
#6 Posted by okay on August 27, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's only going to get worse people. We have let our politicians ruin our lives, and country by allowing millions upon millions of illegals to enter, and stay in our country so they can get their vote. How does an illegal vote you ask, well they found a way, and they do. This country of ours that our fathers, and grandfathers died for is going down the sewer rapidly. We had enough crime in this nation without importing more. It's hard for me to understand why people on welfare for years are not told to take the jobs the illegals work at, or lose that government check. Ya gotta love our inept politicians.
#7 Posted by cit10driver on August 27, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cit10driver, I agree.
Most people dont understand this fact.
Muslims are now members of England's Parlament, and at least 3 in the USA.
Our country is slowly being taken over without one shot being fired...
#8 Posted by Opinionated on August 27, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
another piece of garbage the government let in. and remember fl house speaker marco rubio canned every bill that went up for immigration reform
#9 Posted by grouper25 on August 27, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Immokalee is living proof of what illegals do to their environment.......think what our country will be like in our grand kid's adult lifetimes......it's a revolting thought.
Think very carefully about who you cast your vote for in November.
#10 Posted by okay on August 27, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why ask me? Read the other posts for yourself.
OBVIOUSLY it "matters" to MOST of us.
#11 Posted by okay on August 27, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Deportation???? No, no, no. Put chains on his ankles and let him do the jobs americans dont want to do
#12 Posted by ricky369 on August 27, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez,
How awful. I thought Bayshore was the new art district. What happened?
#13 Posted by almasonlybar on August 27, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Public execution would deter most of the 3rd world crime!!!
#14 Posted by ThisCommentRemovedByStaff on August 28, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He was going to burn down her apartment! This guy is dangerous not just to his ex-girlfriend. If she is living in an apartment complex, he was a threat not just to her family but to many others. Idiots don't think about anything except their anger and how they are going to get even - no matter who else may get hurt or killed in the process. Moron!
#15 Posted by blefebvre on August 28, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those who want to take a stand on illegal immigrants working in this country might start by avoiding franchise restaurants, most fresh produce and practically all the meat processed by the big packing houses.
I know, we'll have to give up the chicken salad at Applebys, those delicious flame-broiled burgers from Burger King and even our Sunday evening chicken on the grill.
But whose labor do you think gets plugged into the business models for these operations? There would be no Third World slums in Immokalee and no Manna Christian Villages if not for the profits to be made in keeping American diners fat and happy on cheap dinners.
Follow the money. If politicians are responsible for this human flood, it's only because they're serving their constituents. And for the clueless among us, the constituents aren't us. They're the fat cats who need cheap labor and write big checks.
Shut off the flow of immigrants, and you'd have to bring back such abominations as American workers earning a living wage at the grocery stores, restaurants and packing houses.
Nah, we'd rather eat cheap, parrot Lou Dobbs and spew out ugly threats about restoring medieval justice, as though that represented some high water mark in human progress.
#16 Posted by elnuestros on August 28, 2008 at 3:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another Crime in East Naples by an Illegal....
Don't worry the elections will be over soon so the politicians won't have to court the Hispanic vote for another 4 years...
Maybe then ICE will step in and start cleaning up the mess!
#17 Posted by streetrodder on August 28, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is to everyone that loves to say "deport them"..."send them back".."third world country issues"...
You think you are all that because you are americans???....Are you some type of chosen race that do not commit mistakes, no crazy people, no sickness, no mental issues....so if there was a white guy doing this here in America is ok for him to do it because he is in his country ????.....
The world is what it is because of everyone living in it. Not because of whites, hispanics, blacks, asians......EVERYONE IS HUMAN and 411 people humans are NEVER 100% RIGHT.....so before you try to hurt or insult a race think twice !!!!
Shame on that guy who try to kill a famiy. Hope he gets punish for what he attempted to do !
#18 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sunshinelover you are such a hater and i feel sorry for you....
You citizens are full of it (not everyone but here in nappy town and some ft myers areas) !! you spend more time on hating immigrants than enjoying life and you know very well that if it wasn't for immigrants this country would be NOTHING !!
Poor you ...hope you find peace and happiness...cuz the third world countries are part of a reality and you think you are superior just because you live here ....well you have serious ISSUES !!!
#19 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What makes you think I am not an American with a lil bit more brain than you ?..You are probably OLD....BALD....FAT...and a HATER...(and this goes if you are a woman too )..lol...and a loser !!!..glad to see that people like you are going to stick your tongue in your pockets when immigrants take over this wonderful LAND....
xoxo
Get a myspace so you can chill a bit ! =)
#20 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And if the misery of those poor people gives you some type of confort and happiness that OUR country is getting rid of the scum...well one more time..I feel sorry for you, and you would have to ask for forgiveness ...cuz although u might think it's the right thing to do...IT'S NOT !!
Been an immigrant DOES NOT MAKE ANYBODY LESS OF A PERSON OR THE RIGHT OF OTHERS TO TREAT THEM LIKE CRIMINALS....AMERICANS ARE JUST AMERICANS NOT GOD !!
GET IT STRAIGHT !
#21 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am smart cuz i am making someone like you angry while i'm killing time...
Also, are some type of Witch with a crystal ball that can tell who is or not an american??? God u are such a L-O-S-E-R..and ignorant...
You are sooo upset that had to mention the spelling part to get back at me !!! ouch....!!! I am going to my ENC 1001 now !!
Have fun at myspace...!! that is more your level !! and you can post cute pics !!...
#22 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do I care about either of you ??? Nope ! you are the ones hating !! not me !! If you don't know how it is to be living in another country with a different language and having to hide for the fact that you exist !! then don't make stupid comments..
The law...who respects the law here ?...Listen you are going to keep posting your evil comments people are going to keep doing raids..immigrants are gona keep coming to the states and absolutly nothing is going to change !!!
I am tired of people accusing immigrants..or ilegal immigrants for everything that americans do wrong or for stuff that happens....
This crazy dude tried to kill his gf's family..because he was upset off to the fact that he kick him out !! Ok obviously he is mentally ill and freaking nuts !! but been a hispanic didn't make him like that....his life experience did !! so what makes someone from here different ??..
Anyways...God bless both of you and don't think you are better than anybody...cuz you never were, you are not and never will !!!
#23 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Elnuestros: Interesting theory.
I don't think that most people are aware how connected our food sources and "the powers that be" are. "Diet For A New America" by John Robbins (of the "Baskin & Robbins" family), is an excellent book that sheds light on this idea, as well as other eye opening facts.
Again, it is always about the money.
#24 Posted by DelicateEve on August 28, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...I lost what ?? Was I competing ??..you are just way too full of it !...and this is to post comments and opinions not to WIN or LOSE but this is your world and if you think this was all about winning or losing I feel bad for you.
#25 Posted by PPC on August 28, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ryu....not if Obama is the next president and disarms our military!!
#26 Posted by LEOM on August 28, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't deport him, execute him!
#27 Posted by lovelifeorelse on August 28, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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