Man arrested on suspicion of assault and kidnapping in Boise Greenbelt incident
Boise Police charged a man with assaulting and kidnapping a woman on the Boise River Greenbelt on Saturday night.
Two residents called 911 after hearing a woman’s scream on the Greenbelt, according to a Boise Police Department news release. Police said the woman had been walking alone on a path along the north side of the Greenbelt near South Ferguson Street at 10:55 p.m. when a man approached her from behind.
The man, later identified as 26-year-old Javier Ortiz, of Ontario, Oregon, “physically assaulted her and pulled her off the path,” police said.
One of the residents who heard her scream investigated and discovered Ortiz with the victim. Police said the resident “immediately intervened,” causing Ortiz to flee west along the Greenbelt.
“The victim was treated for injuries on scene and transported to the hospital for further evaluation,” police said.
Responding officers set up a perimeter and began searching the area. Police said they quickly located someone matching Ortiz’s description at 11:02 p.m. just west of the Broadway Bridge in Julia Davis Park.
Following an investigation, Ortiz was booked in the Ada County Jail on suspicion of assault and kidnapping.
The kidnapping incident occurred about 1.5 miles west of where police say a Boise man was found stabbed to death on July 6.
The Boise Police Department said it will continue to increase patrols along the Greenbelt and surrounding parks at all hours.
“Police continue to remind everyone using the Greenbelt to remain aware of their surroundings and to take common-sense safety precautions,” police said. “While walking, running, or riding along the Greenbelt at night is permitted, we always recommend taking routes with good lighting, visibility and avoiding isolated areas.”
