Suspect arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- Police say cooperation between Neighborhood Task Force officers and citizens on Milwaukee's south side led to the arrest of a hit-and-run suspect on Wednesday, September 5th.

That suspect, who has yet to be charged, is accused of striking and killing Javier Ortiz before leaving the scene of the crash near 19th and Mitchell St. on Saturday, September 1st.

Ortiz was riding a motorcycle eastbound on Mitchell St. when the suspect's Cadillac Seville struck him.

On Wednesday, police received a call from a citizen who provided information on the Cadillac Seville. Officers then conducted a search and located the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested for "duty upon striking causing death." The case is being reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

On Friday, September 7th, Melvin Ortiz and his family buried Javier. They describe him as a mechanically-minded guy who loved anything that had an engine and wheels. 

"Most of his friends are out there on the corner where it happened every night so far. They've been laying candles," Ortiz said.

The suspect in this case has a driving record with infractions -- as did Javier Ortiz.

"He wasn't a perfect person. He had his mistakes.  I need to make that clear. I don't want to make him sound like he was an angel, but he was really good with us," Melvin Ortiz said.

The Ortiz family says they are relieved to know a suspect is now in custody.

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