Manhunt Still Underway in Ector County 8/9/12

CBS 7 News
August 9, 2012

An official statement has been released regarding a manhunt underway in Ector County:

Ector County Sheriffs Deputies had arrested Christopher Joe Ortega on
warrants for Going Off Bond & Failure To Appear, both class A
misdemeanors.
Ortega was the back of the patrol unit and kicked out the rear passenger
window climbed out and ran. Ortega was cuffed while in back of unit.

Subject was last seen wearing red shirt and blue shorts.

Christopher Joe Ortega
Hispanic male DOB: 04/22/1980

A perimiter was established with assistance from DPS helicopter, OPD,
U.S. Marshalls and ECISD police.

Subject was not located as of 6:30 p.m. and the perimiter search was
called off.

In addition to the original warrants, additional charges of Escape from custody & Criminal Mischief charges will be filed.


ODESSA, TX - Ector County Sheriff’s deputies, DPS troopers and U.S. Marshals are all searching for a man who escaped from a patrol car by kicking out the window.

It happened on Andrews Highway near Yukon.

The Ector County Sheriff's Office had the suspect in custody in the back of their vehicle when he busted the back window out, took off on foot, and is still at large.

He was last seen on Skyline Drive, and they believe is still in handcuffs

The DPS helicopter is also up assisting in the search, and according to our crews lawmen are also using k-9 dogs to search a nearby by wrecking yard.

According to the sheriff’s department, the man they are looking for is Christopher Joe Ortega.

He is wanted on a warrant for going off bond and for failure to appear.

Law enforcement are still searching for him at this hour.