UPDATE: According to New Port Richey Police, Ortiz used his girlfriend’s Honda Accord to escape the robbery. He was tracked in part because of security cameras at a neighboring business, GC Automotive Repair. “He was busy,” said New Port Richey Police Chief Kim Bogart. “He got with his buddies, apparently arranged for this bank robbery and less than 24 hours later, he’s going back to jail.”

“We’ve got him dead to rights,” Bogart said. “And I think he’s going to go away for a very long time.”

Another man was taken into custody along with Ortiz, who has been charged with armed robbery. Police say they are still looking for at least one more suspect.

According to New Port Richey Police, Julio Ortiz–the infamous “Pasco Squatter”–was arrested today on charges relating to a bank robbery we reported on this morning. Police say that neighbors were able to provide video of the escape vehicle in the robbery to police, who tracked the car back to Ortiz. A man exited an older model Honda Accord on Monday morning around 11 am and entered the Wells Fargo bank on the 6600 block of Massachusetts Avenue in New Port Richey. The suspect demanded cash from two tellers and fled the scene. While Ortiz has been arrested, there is no word on whom was driving the vehicle or if it was Ortiz who allegedly entered the bank.

Ortiz’s girlfriend, Fatima Cardoso, is still being held on a probation violation charge and was incarcerated at the time of the robbery. A week ago, Ortiz and his girlfriend were arrested on grand theft charges for allegedly stealing electricity while squatting in a Pasco County soldier’s home.

Last Friday, Ortiz posted a $5,000 bond and returned to the soldier’s home where he was cited by Sheriff’s deputies for trespassing.

By Jon Tietz

The facts detailed in this article, while journalistic, do not necessarily represent the views of NewsPortRichey.org as an organization.

Bank Robbery Leads to Arrest of ‘Pasco Squatter’