Cops Said Jose Ordonez Stole Car In Boca Isles South, Then Crashed And Burned In West Boca Raton. Prosecutors Dropped The Charge.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The man accused of stealing a security car in Boca Isles South in December, then crashing into another vehicle and igniting a fire in West Boca Raton, is free and clear of the charge filed by police. BocaNewsNow.com has confirmed that the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Jose Ordonez after he was arrested by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
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From our original reporting on December 7th: “Sources familiar with the incident say that a Boca Isles South security guard saw something suspicious Tuesday evening and investigated — apparently confronting a man who may have been attempting to enter a home that was not his. That man, according to sources, fled — taking the Boca Isles South security vehicle, a Ford Explorer — and fleeing the scene. The driver turned north on Cain Blvd., east on Yamato, north on U.S. 441, then ultimately crashed head-on into another vehicle at Clint Moore and 441. That’s right in front of the PBSO District 7 substation. The vehicle burned.”
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at the time issued this statement to BocaNewsNow.com: “At approximately 6:55, PBCFR Units were dispatched to the intersection of Clint Moore Road and SR 7 for a vehicle accident with fire. 911 callers stated a vehicle was involved in a head-on crash with a tree and caught fire with flames showing. Initial arriving units found a private security vehicle vs tree with smoke but no active flames. Crews used a Thermal Imaging Camera to visualize a large heat source coming from the engine compartment. They used a hoseline to ensure that there was no additional fire. One person was transported to a local hospital. PBSO is investigating this incident.”
Ordonez was charged with “grand theft auto” and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on December 7th. On December 20t, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office filed a “no file on count” response to the charge and discharged Oronez’s bond. Prosecutor Autumn Gurrola wrote this:
“Although there was probable cause to make an arrest, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution, due to incomplete filing packet.” Read the complete police report, below.
