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Passer-by helps cuff domestic abuse suspect
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 24, 2014
A Muscatine man was arrested Thursday following a domestic disturbance call to Procter & Gamble in the industrial park.
Fernando Ruiz, 23, was charged with three serious misdemeanors — false imprisonment, interference with official acts and domestic abuse — and a judge set bond at $2,000.
If convicted, Ruiz faces up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $625 for each count.
West Branch Police Chief Mike Horihan responded to P&G at 6:21 p.m. July 17 to find Ruiz and girlfriend Magaly Lagunas, 28, of Muscatine.
Horihan said the two live together and ride together to work during the same shift for Schenker Logistics, which staffs the warehouse. The two met inside after their shift and then Lagunas stepped outside to talk to a woman, the police chief said.
Horihan said Ruiz allegedly confronted Lagunas, asking what she was doing and got upset that she did not wait for him, grabbing her and pulling her to the car they had driven to work.
The police chief said Lagunas broke away, but Ruiz allegedly grabbed her again and began to force her into the car, at which time she hit her head on the car.
Lagunas apparently shouted for someone to call the police, and someone went inside to get a manager, who then instructed Ruiz to remain until police arrived, Horihan said.
However, when Horihan arrived and went to arrest Ruiz, Ruiz allegedly pulled away, saying “No, I’m not going to jail.”
Horihan said Ruiz was strong and difficult to physically control, and continued to keep his hands out of reach even when Horihan pushed him up against a car to handcuff him. Horihan said he then took Ruiz to the ground and asked for someone to help him get Ruiz under control. Randy Neubuer of Nichols stepped in to assist and Horihan was able to handcuff Ruiz, the police chief said.
“I thought about Tazing him,” the police chief said. “But we were taught to use the minimum force necessary.”
Horihan said he charged Ruiz with a simple misdemeanor on the domestic abuse charge because he saw no blood or other serious marks on Lagunas following the altercation.
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