Man charged with attacking woman, driving into her

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NAUGATUCK — Police charged a Waterbury man Wednesday with brandishing a gun and driving his car into a friend during an argument.

Prudencio Ortiz, 34, of 41 Prospect St. in Waterbury, was with friends at a gathering at 59 School St. in the borough Tuesday when an argument erupted over cigarettes, said Lt. Robert Harrison of the Naugatuck Police Department.

At about 10:30 p.m., Ortiz’s friend, a woman who lives in the house, asked him to leave, Harrison said. After Ortiz got into his Ford Explorer, the woman went up to him, continuing the argument, Harrison said. Ortiz put her in a headlock and scratched her with his car keys, Harrison said.

Another man tried to intervene and Ortiz punched him more than once, Harrison said. The man claimed he saw Ortiz holding a black and silver gun in his left hand, pointing downwards, Harrison said.

Ortiz then began driving away, but suddenly reversed until he hit the woman, Harrison said. She complained of pain to her knee but refused medical treatment at the scene, Harrison said.

Ortiz surrendered to police Wednesday on weapons and assault charges and other misdemeanors. He denied having a gun, which police never located, Harrison said. Ortiz was held on a $50,000 bond and scheduled to appear Thursday in Waterbury Superior Court.

-Special to the Citizen’s News