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Third suspect arrested in Glenwood Springs officer shooting

Published August 13, 2007 at midnight

A third suspect in the July 29 shooting of a police officer in Glenwood Springs is in custody in a Garfield County jail.

The officer was not seriously injured because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Mauricio "Flaco" Villa Garcia-Pena was arrested Friday in Silt, without incident, according to Tanny McGinnis, a spokeswoman for the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.

He remains in custody on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.

Online court records show Garcia-Pena pleaded guilty July 19 to a felony charge of motor theft under $15,000.

Two other suspects were arrested nearly two weeks ago.

Anthony Villegas, 19, was arrested Aug. 4 on an outstanding warrant for a drug-related felony, Garfield County sheriff's officials said.

The following day, Sergio Estebon Ramirez, 20, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Authorities said the police officer was checking a storage facility area south of the Glenwood Springs Airport shortly before 11 p.m. July 29.

During the check, the officer saw a person jump down from a fence, then saw two males walking away from him.

After he made several requests for the men to stop, one of the men pointed a firearm at him and fired several shots.

At least one of the shots hit him in the chest, authorities said.

The officer was wearing a bullet-proof vest and did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Police have not released the name of the officer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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