By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Lead Reporter - Salina Post
After stealing a car parked at a local liquor store and driving it a short distance near the Ambassy Hotel, a Salina resident allegedly ran naked outside before retreating to a room at the local inn.
Salina Police Department (SPD) Capt. James Feldman said at about 2:45 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 27, a 36-year-old resident reported that someone stole his 2000 Ford Mustang from the storefront of Cave Divers Liquor at 1103 West Crawford Street.
Feldman said the victim reported that he left the car running while he went into the store to shop.
"While in there, a subject, later identified as Marcellius Garner, a 31-year-old male from Salina, was in the store. Employees stated that Mr. Garner was walking around the store and indicated that he did not have any money and was hoping someone would purchase alcohol for him," Feldman said. "They did observe him picking up a bottle of tequila, valued at $29, and then just walk out."
Garner then got into the Mustang and drove away. Feldman said later the same day, an officer located the Mustang at 409 South Broadway Boulevard, just a few blocks north of the liquor store.
Around 7 p.m., someone called SPD from the Ambassy Hotel at 217 South Broadway Boulevard and reported a man running around naked outside the local hotel.
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Once officers arrived, they located and identified Garner from the car theft at Cave Divers Liquor. Garner initially retreated back to his room and allegedly slammed the door barring entry.
"They [officers] were able to get him to answer," Feldman said. "He gave consent to his room where they observed... the same clothing in the room that he had been wearing at the liquor store and the bottle of tequila."
Feldman said officers then arrested Garner and requested charges for felony theft, misdemeanor theft and lewd and lascivious exposure.