Raymond Cruz, known for his role as Tuco Salamanca in the acclaimed series Breaking Bad, was arrested on September 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. The 60-year-old actor faces allegations of misdemeanour battery after an incident involving a woman in the Silverlake neighborhood. Cruz reportedly sprayed her with a garden hose while washing his car.
According to reports from TMZ, Cruz was engaged in routine car washing outside his residence when he asked a woman to move her vehicle, which was parked too close to his. When she did not comply, he allegedly sprayed water in her direction, leading her to believe it was intentional. Following the incident, Cruz was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and later released.
Details Surrounding the Incident
Raphael Berko, Cruz’s talent agent, provided additional context regarding the situation. He stated that the actor was washing his car when a minivan with three women parked “half an inch” from his vehicle. Cruz asked them to move, expressing concern that they were blocking his space and would get wet during the washing process.
Berko explained, “They said no. He goes, ‘Come on, move your car. You’re not giving me room, and it’s going to get wet.’” After the women declined to move, Cruz resumed washing his car. Berko noted that as Cruz turned to address the women, some water from the hose inadvertently splashed onto their vehicle.
After the incident, one of the women contacted law enforcement, leading to Cruz being placed in handcuffs. Berko emphasized that Cruz, who has never been arrested before and portrayed a police detective for 15 years on The Closer and Major Crimes, was taken to jail for what appeared to be a minor dispute.
Response from Law Enforcement
An LAPD officer, David Cuellar, confirmed the nature of the dispute, stating, “There was basically a dispute with the victim, which is when Cruz allegedly sprayed water towards the victim.” As of now, no formal misdemeanour charges have been filed against Cruz, and he is scheduled to appear in court on October 1, 2023.
Following his release, Cruz expressed gratitude towards the LAPD officers who handled the situation, noting their professionalism and kindness throughout his five-hour stay in custody. His agent underscored that Cruz is a respected member of the community, and this incident was a misunderstanding rather than a malicious act.
This event has drawn attention not only for Cruz’s celebrity status but also for the implications of misunderstandings escalating to police involvement. As the situation develops, many are watching to see how it will unfold in the upcoming court appearance.
