On Friday, April 26, 2024, at approximately 4:35 AM the Riley County Dispatch Center received a call from a female victim in the northeast area of Manhattan.
The call was disconnected shortly after. Dispatch then received a 911 text from the victim asking for help stating she was being held inside an apartment by the suspect, later identified as Jonathon Maldonado, 26, of Manhattan, who was armed with a gun. Riley County Police Department (RCPD) officers were dispatched to the location where they attempted to contact with the victim, however Maldonado refused to cooperate .
At approximately 5:58 AM the victim was able to run out of the apartment. Maldonado left the apartment and used a vehicle to travel out of the city.
RCPD requested assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) in locating Maldonado who was later found traveling east on Interstate 70. KHP reported stop-sticks were deployed successfully but the pursuit continued until Troopers utilized a Tactical Vehicle Intervention to end the pursuit in Wyandotte County. Maldonado later surrendered after speaking to negotiators and was taken into custody.
Maldonado was then booked into the RCPD jail at approximately 11:40 AM. Maldonado was arrested on probable cause charges of aggravated kidnapping x3, aggravated assault x2, criminal threat, interference with an LEO, aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim, domestic battery, and criminal damage to property. Total bond was set at $150,000. Maldonado was confined at the time of this report.
The investigation into this case is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
