| For Immediate Release Case # 11NF0045
February 17, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN ARRESTED FOR COLD CASE ROBBERY AT
MOVIE THEATRE HOLD-UP BY PRETENDING TO
BE A POLICE OFFICER
*Defendant was linked to the crime through DNA using OCDA’s DNA database
FULLERTON – A man was arrested this morning for a impersonating a police officer to rob employees at a movie theatre in 2008 after being linked to the crime through DNA using the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) local DNA database. Buena Park Police Department (BPPD) investigated this case. Fernando Manuel Ruiz, 38, Los Angeles, is charged with two felony counts each of second degree robbery and false imprisonment by violence or deceit with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm, being armed with a firearm, and impersonating a peace officer. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years and four months in state prison. He is being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned this Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 at the North Justice Center in Fullerton. The time is to be determined.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2008, Ruiz is accused of being armed with a firearm and entering with the intention of holding up and robbing employees at Krikorian Buena Park Metroplex 18 movie theatre. He is accused of approaching the manager, Eric L., and falsely identifying himself as a BPPD investigator investigating another robbery. The defendant is accused of providing a fake business card and badge to Eric L. and asking the manager to show him the serial numbers on the money inside theater’s safe. Ruiz is accused of entering the manager’s office, viewing the safe money serial numbers, standing outside the office, and making several cell phone calls. Minutes later, the defendant is accused of re-entering the manager’s office, pointing his gun at Eric L., telling him get down on the ground, and tying his wrists with a telephone cord.
During the robbery Tammy P., an employee of the theatre, entered the office. Ruiz is accused of tying her hands behind her back using a computer mouse cord. The defendant is accused of collecting the surveillance footage and destroying it. Ruiz is accused of stealing $15,000 cash from the theatre’s safe and fleeing the scene. Eric L. called 911.
BPPD officers responded to the scene and investigated the case. Ruiz is accused of leaving DNA at the scene which police collected and submitted to the OCDA’s local DNA database. In August 2010, Ruiz agreed to submit a DNA sample for a misdemeanor violation for false registration of a vehicle.
A month later, Sept. 22, 2010, Ruiz was linked to crime using the OCDA’s local DNA database and was arrested this morning by BPPD officers and OCDA Investigators.