On Thursday, May 18, 2023 around 2:30am, Kearney Police Department received a report of an armed robbery in the 1700 block of Avenue E. The victim stated he was robbed inside his home at gunpoint and assaulted by a white male and a black male. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the assault and was transported to Kearney Regional Medical Center by ambulance for medical treatment.
On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at approximately 6:00am, Kearney Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle from the parking lot of an apartment on Villa Drive. The victim reported seeing her black 1996 Chevy pickup leaving the area with two males inside. The owner followed her pickup in another vehicle and called police to report it stolen.
The stolen pickup went west on Railroad street from 30th Avenue leaving the city limits. A few hundred yards later the stolen pickup stopped in the road and the driver fired multiple gun shots from a handgun towards the owner who was still following the stolen pickup while on the phone with the Buffalo County 911 Center. At least one bullet struck the front of the car the owner was driving. The stolen pickup then continued westbound on Railroad street and the owner stopped following it. No injuries were reported following the shooting.
Following extensive investigations, Investigators with Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office have determined that the Armed Robbery at 1712 Avenue E, the stolen pickup from 67 Villa Drive and subsequent shooting from the stolen pickup are all related.
On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Ronnie Swartz, a 26-year-old male transient was arrested on a warrant for Felony Armed Robbery and also charged with Obstructing a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Controlled Substances (methamphetamine), Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of a Legend Drug, and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.
Additionally, during the arrest of Swartz, Scott Dye, a 40-year-old male from Kearney was arrested on two out of state warrants and Jerome Quinn a 26-year-old male from Omaha was arrested for Obstructing a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Legend Drugs, Possession of Marijuana more than one ounce, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances.
Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office all worked together on this investigation.
This remains an active investigation. Anyone with additional information or video regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kearney Police Department (308) 237-2104, Buffalo County Crimestoppers (308) 237-3424, or through the See It Say It Send It App.
