MUSCATINE, Iowa – A Muscatine man is in custody following an alleged armed robbery that occurred Sunday, June 30, 2019, in Muscatine.
Matthew Wayne Ramirez 24, Muscatine, was taken into custody by the Muscatine Police Department and charged with one count of Robbery in the 1st Degree, a Class B felony offense, and two counts of Theft in the 2nd Degree, a Class D felony offense. Ramirez is currently being held at the Muscatine County Jail.
Muscatine Police were notified at 5:20 a.m. Sunday of an armed robbery in the 1600 block of Isett Avenue in Muscatine. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male wearing a red shirt with visible tattoos on his arms, allegedly displayed a handgun towards the victim and stole his pickup truck.
The Muscatine Police Department immediately responded and an investigation was initiated. Ramirez was identified as a possible suspect by the Muscatine Police Department, and taken into custody on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Two handguns were recovered from his possession as he was taken into custody.
If anyone has information on this incident, please contact Lieutenant Anthony Kies with the Muscatine Police Department at (563) 263 – 9922, ext. 608. Information can also be provided to the Muscatine, IA Police Department Facebook page. Callers may remain anonymous.
Suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additional information may be released as it comes available.
ABOUT MUSCATINE POLICE DEPARTMENT - The Muscatine Police Department serves a community of about 25,000 people. The department is committed to providing professional law enforcement services to all of the citizens of Muscatine. The Muscatine Police Department was founded on May 10, 1839, with the appointment of John Marble as the first Marshal. In the earliest days of Muscatine there was little need for an extensive police force and it was not until 1851 that the City created a more formalized law enforcement agency to help protect its citizens. This came in conjunction with the City changing its name from Bloomington to Muscatine and at that time records indicate there were as few as five (5) officers within the department. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that Muscatine could claim more than 10 members in its police force. The department presently has 42 sworn and five (5) civilian personnel who are divided between three divisions (administrative, investigations, patrol).
Prepared by:
Lieutenant Anthony Kies
Muscatine Police Department