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PLEASANT GROVE — A Pleasant Grove man accused of holding a gun to his girlfriend's head, handcuffing her and torturing her has been arrested for investigation of attempted murder.
In addition, Hector Ortega, 43, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
Pleasant Grove police were sent to Ortega's residence Monday on a report of possible domestic violence, according to a police booking affidavit. The officers met with a man down the street from the house who had called 911 after Ortega pointed a gun at him, the affidavit states.
That man told police he had knocked on Ortega's door. Ortega opened it and pointed a gun at the man and threatened to kill him, the affidavit states. After shutting the door, Ortega demanded that his girlfriend tell him the man's last name, which she refused. He then took her to the kitchen, "took her over the the stove and turned on the gas fire stove top and told her he was going to burn her for his last name," according to the affidavit.
He also punched the woman in the face while allegedly stating, "I know where to hit you, so the marks don't show."
Ortega also held a knife to the woman before taking her to a couch in the living room and "put her in handcuffs behind her back and put a pillow over her face and began to try to suffocate her," the affidavit alleges. "The victim said that Hector also placed a red piece of cloth inside the victim's mouth so that she could not scream and held a screwdriver to her head in a threatening manner."
Ortega next took the girlfriend to a bathroom where he filled a tub with hot water and made her get in.
"The suspect then took a radio cord that was plugged it into the outlet and put the other end into the bathtub. The victim said that Hector told her he was going to electrocute her and she would be dead before police arrived," according to the affidavit.
As this was happening, Ortega's ex-wife and three children were also inside the house and he allegedly told them to leave. The group exited the home and got into a car to drive off. Officers who were still watching the house stopped the car and questioned the group. They learned that Ortega was still in the house, was armed with two guns and was threatening to kill the girlfriend after arguing with her, the affidavit states.
Police were finally able to make phone contact with the girlfriend who was "crying hysterically." Officers said they then told Ortega to let the woman go. A few moments later, the girlfriend came running out of the house.
"She appeared to be fearful, distraught, and emotional. She came toward officers," according to the affidavit.
A few moments later, Ortega also exited the home and was taken into custody at gunpoint.
