Liberal man arrested in auto theft and accident

Garden City, Kan.–A Liberal resident was arrested after stealing a vehicle in Liberal and later causing a crash in Garden City late Saturday. In the release from the Garden City Police Department, 19-year-old Jonathan Ramirez-Rivera faces charges from the incident.

Just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, Officers of the Garden City Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Mary Street and Taylor Avenue for an injury accident. Officers arrived and located an overturned Chevrolet Silverado and a Chevrolet Malibu with extensive damage and learned that Ramirez-Rivera was the driver of the Malibu and had fled from the vehicle on foot. During the investigation, Officers were waved down by a witness pointing out Ramirez-Rivera nearby. As Officers approached the individuals, Ramirez-Rivera punched the witness before being promptly taken into custody. Through further investigation, it was revealed Ramirez-Rivera was a suspect in an auto theft and had taken the Malibu from a residence in Liberal earlier that evening.

The driver of the Silverado was treated at the scene by Finney County EMS for minor injuries. The intersection was closed for over four hours as law enforcement completed the crash investigation.

Ramirez-Rivera was lodged in the Finney County Jail for Interference of a Law Enforcement Officer, Battery, No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance, Reckless Driving, and an out-of-county warrant.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.*