LOMA LINDA – A transient who was arrested for threatening, and later striking a female doctor at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, wound up breaking her nose during the attack.
Oscar Andreas Ruvalcaba, 29, was arraigned by San Bernardino Superior Court on Wednesday, but it is expected to return to court this week, according to records. During a video conference on Wednesday, Ruvalcaba pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $100,000 – one day after the attack. (He was listed in the official San Bernardino County booking report as being only 19 years old.)
The incident, which took place shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, was described as beginning when Ruvalcaba showing up at the medical center to seek treatment for an undisclosed medical issue.
He was being treated at the hospital when the doctor came in to check on him. Sheriff’s reports said Ruvalcaba “became agitated and threatened to kill the attending physician and his family.”
After issuing the verbal threats, Ruvalcaba reportedly struck the doctor in the face, which broke her nose. Deputies were sought and Ruvalcaba was arrested. He faces two felonies, one for battery on medical personnel, and for assault and battery with serious injuries, according to San Bernardino Superior Court records.
Authorities did not disclose why Ruvalcaba was arguing with the doctor. It was not reported if Ruvalcaba had been a previous patient at Loma Linda University Medical Center, nor did it specify if he was being treated for physical injuries or an illness.
Ruvalcaba had been arrested just a week prior to this incident, on October 5 in Riverside. He was picked up on Market Street near the Fox Performing Arts Center theater for disorderly conduct – public intoxication. And on Monday, August 31 he was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance while at a home in Moreno Valley. He reported that the home, which is just a few blocks from Midland Elementary School, was his residence at the time.
The doctor, who was treated and released at the hospital, suffered a broken nose in two places, according to reports.
