Theft of police car tops Halloween activities
By Brad Kellar
Herald Banner Staff
Aside from a stolen police car and a few other major incidents,
weekend in Greenville appeared to have been relatively quiet.
A Greenville man was formally charged Monday in connection
with the alleged theft of a Greenville Police Department
squad car early Saturday morning.
Robert D. Ruiz was arraigned on charges of theft of property
of the value of more than $20,000, driving while intoxicated
and evading arrest.
Ruiz, 19, was alleged to have made off with the vehicle at
around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, as police officers were answering the
call of a disturbance at a residence in the 3400 block of Lee Street.
Ruiz was said to have led authorities on a chase west on Lee,
north on Highway 69 to farm Road 2194 and then to have totaled
the squad car when it rolled over near McWright Cemetery in the
Kellogg Community.
Ruiz received minor injuries in the crash and was held
overnight at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville for
observation before being taken into custody Sunday.
Ruiz remained in custody at the Hunt County Jail Monday, in lieu
of $100,000 bond on the theft charge, $2,000 bond on evading
arrest and $1,000 bond for DWI.