Alleged Swampscott cafe robber arraigned, out on bail

SWAMPSCOTT – A Lynn man who is accused of burglarizing a Swampscott restaurant was released on $7,500 cash bail Wednesday.Jose “Nunie” Ortiz, 40, 43 Oneida St., Lynn, was arraigned in Lynn District Court on Wednesday on charges of breaking and entering in the nighttime for felony, four counts of malicious destruction of property over $250, possession of burglarious tools and larceny over $250.On Tuesday morning, Swampscott detectives, along with officers and agents from the FBI, Essex County Drug Task Force, the State Police Violent Fugitive Unit and the Lynn, Wellesley, Billerica and Salem police departments executed search warrants at two Lynn locations.The warrants, which were obtained by Swampscott detectives, were for Ortiz Complete Car Care, 47 Bennett St., Lynn and his home at 43 Oneida St., Lynn.Ortiz and an accomplice allegedly broke into Paradiso Ristorante, 15 Railroad Ave., on Oct. 4 at approximately 1 a.m. Detective Sgt. Timothy Cassidy said the wires to the building were cut and the alarm system disabled. Cassidy estimates it took several hours for the perpetrators to open the safe.Cassidy said the warrants were obtained after detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the break-in.Ortiz’s girlfriend, Katrina Freeman, 20, 66 Astor St., Lynn, was arrested during the search and was charged with possession of a class C substance and possession with intent to distribute within a school zone.Police learned that Ortiz was hiding in a wooded area off of Highland Avenue. The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing assisted in locating Ortiz, who led police on a foot chase before he was taken into custody. Following his arrest, police discovered Ortiz was carrying a police radio scanner.According to police, Ortiz will also be charged with possession of a class C Substance and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone.Essex District Attorney spokeswoman Carrie Kimball Monahan said Ortiz was released on $7,500 cash bail and the judge issued a bail warning, which means if he gets into any further legal trouble while this case is pending he could be held without bail for up to 60 days.Cassidy said he expects Ortiz would also be facing charges out of Wellesley.Monahan said Ortiz is due back in court Nov. 18 for a pre-trial hearing.