SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A Spokane man accused of using his car in a 2023 smash and grab burglary at a Spokane Valley strip club is once again in trouble with the law.
Cesar Ruiz faced a judge Tuesday for charges of drive-by shooting and aiming/discharging a firearm. Prosecutors say he and a group of people drove to an apartment on North Atlantic Street Sunday night and threatened to kill a man. Court commissioner Eugene Cruz said witnesses pinpointed Ruiz as the man who also shot a gun in the air.
Cruz also noted to other accusations against Ruiz from nearly two years before, which led to a violation of his release conditions and a bench warrant. Ruiz is accused of using his Jeep to break down the front door of Deja Vu strip club on East Sprague in January 2023.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said he tried to steal an ATM, but only managed to make off with a cash register that was later found in his front seat. A club employee called police to report the crime happening as they watched on surveillance video; investigators say Ruiz was still inside when they arrived and tried to run.
In that case, Ruiz was released without bond with the condition he not commit any more crimes.
He was arrested Monday for the shooting threat.
"This conduct shows no regard for public safety or for prior court orders," said Stuart Fox with the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office.
Fox asked for bond to be set at $75,000 due to the risk for community safety.
Commissioner Eugene Cruz set bond for the shooting case at $25,000. Ruiz is also being held on $2,500 for the burglary charge, with a trial set for February 2025.
"We're fortunate nobody got injured as a result of the firearm being discharged," Commissioner Cruz said.