Jon Johnson
Eastern Arizona Courier
SAFFORD — A Safford man faces numerous charges after crashing a stolen car during a high-speed chase with officers early Friday morning.
Juan Clamente Ramirez Jr., 33, of Safford was arrested and booked into the Graham County Jail on charges that include kidnapping, burglary, theft of means of transportation, interfering with judicial proceedings, stalking, criminal damage, possession of a narcotic drug and multiple drug warrants. Forthcoming charges from the Graham County Attorney’s office could also include several traffic violations, felony flight from law enforcement, reckless driving, DUI and/or DUI-drug pending blood test results, according to Safford Police Chief John Griffin.
According to the victim’s statements to police officers, Ramirez forced his ex-girlfriend from her home into her silver 2004 Suzuki sedan at about 10 p.m. and drove out to Bonita Creek. Ramirez allegedly previously tried to run down the victim’s current boyfriend in December and crashed his vehicle into a manufactured home instead. At that time, the victim received an order of protection against him. That case is under review with the Graham County Attorney’s office.
After being held against her will for about five hours, the victim managed to escape when Ramirez stopped to get gas at the Giant gas station and convenience store at 300 E. U.S. Highway 70 at about 3 a.m. The victim ran across the street to the Econo Lodge where she received assistance and the police were called, according to Griffin.
Before authorities arrived at the scene, however, Ramirez fled in the Suzuki.
Officers later staked out Ramirez’s grandmother’s residence on 20th Avenue near the Sunshine Valley Apartments and spotted him in the stolen car at about 5:15 a.m.
The suspect failed to yield to officers and led them on a chase along 20th Avenue to Golf Course Road. The suspect then fled through Thatcher, speeding along Robinson Ranch Road and First Avenue before connecting with U.S. Highway 70, according to Griffin. Ramirez headed eastbound until he reached 20th Avenue, where he turned southbound back onto the street. He blew through traffic lights and stop signs on his way to Discovery Park Boulevard, where he turned eastbound and eventually crossed U.S. Highway 191 onto E. Solomon Road.
With police officers still in pursuit, Ramirez failed to negotiate the curve where East Solomon Road meets Bowie Avenue, and the vehicle hit an irrigation culvert and crashed. He was then apprehended after a short foot chase, according to Griffin. After staff at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center medically cleared him, Ramirez was booked into the jail.
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