Gurdon man finds burglar sleeping in his bed

A Gurdon man faces felony charges in Clark County after authorities say he broke into a residence and took a nap.

In court documents released this week, Francisco Jesus Ortiz is alleged to have broken into a residence on May 18, 2024.

According to an affidavit, Gurdon Officer Thomas Free observed a sedan speeding southbound on US Highway 67 and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Lavar Laster, pulled over on South 3rd Street where he “hopped out of the car” and told Free someone had kicked in the door of his Childress Street home. Laster returned to his vehicle and drove away, with Free following behind.

At the residence, Laster “took off into the house” ahead of Free. Laster and Free, both armed, began clearing the home with their handguns until Free instructed Laster to allow him to take over.

Laster and Free located Ortiz, 19, asleep in a bedroom. Free reportedly grabbed Ortiz by his right wrist and was able to get one handcuff on him “when he awoke and began to resist and tried to pull away,” the affidavit states. Free was then able to cuff Ortiz’s left hand.

A witness recalled observing Ortiz kick in the door and enter, then exit two minutes later before he retreated back inside and stayed. Ortiz lists a Gurdon address on Meadowbrook Drive, located about 1.5 miles from the scene of the burglary.

Ortiz is charged with Residential Burglary and Criminal Mischief, both felonies. Another court filing indicates that Ortiz caused between $1,000-$5,000 in damage to Laster’s residence.