Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega has denounced the "despicable  language and rage" of a local man identified as Gilbert Ortega Jr. who has been charged by police after verbally attacking a group of indigenous  dancers performing outside an Old Town business this week.

"Gilbert Ortega  Jr.'s despicalble language and rage directed to Native performers is reprehensible and inexcussable," Mayor Ortega, who is not related to Ortega Jr. said in a written statement Thursday afternoon.

"Two years ago, when Native Art Market opened in Old Town, I welcomed them wholeheartedly to our community. Today I met in person with them to express solidarity and assure them that the city of Scottsdale is pursuing the matter to  the fullest extent of the law."

The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, near Scottsdale Road and Main Street.

Police said Ortega Jr. was charged with three counts of disorderly conduct, which is a class 1 misdemeanor. Attempts to reach Ortega Jr. were unsuccesful.

The incident was posted on several social media platforms which showed a man insulting the performers. Ortega Jr.  has been linked as the owner to Gilbert Ortega Native American Galleries, a popular Old Town Scottsdale business, through online Arizona Corporation Commission records and by other published news articles. 

Scottsdale City Councilwoman Tammy Caputi issued a statement  Thursday morning condeming Ortega Jr.'s actions. 

"Scottsdale is a golden rule city, our doors are open to all," Caputi said on Twitter. "There is no place for hatred and intolerance, and I condemn the behavior of Gilbert Ortega Jr. I offer my full support to the victims of this act of discrimination. One bad actor does not represent Scottsdale."

In a release Thursday morning, police said “the crime of disorderly conduct does not qualify for a hate crime designation based on the FBI definition.”

Police gave details of what constitutes a hate crime and included:

“There is no specific offense of ‘hate crime’ in Arizona, rather, a hate crime designator can be added to another criminal offense if it can be determined that the crime was motivated by race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity,” police said.

“The City of Scottsdale prides itself as a welcoming community and condemns this individual's racist comments — they do not represent our community,” the Scottsdale Police Department release stated.

Police said they encourage residents and visitors to report crimes of all types. For emergencies call 911 and non-emergencies, 480-312-5000.