Man holed up at Wyndham Garden Hotel was wanted Milpitas robbery suspect
Photo: Edward Ruiz III
MILPITAS – Reports of a robbery led to a search for an suspect who forced his way into a residence with a loaded firearm. A call came into the Milpitas police department on January 13, 2018 at approximately 12:07 PM. The caller reported to Milpitas Police officers of a robbery that had just occurred near the 1000 block of North Abbott Avenue. According to Milpitas Lieutenant Raj Maharaj, “The suspect, later identified as Edward Ruiz III, a 35-year-old San Jose resident, brandished a shotgun and gained entry into the residence with (the help of) a second unknown suspect.”
Once inside the residence, Ruiz and his accomplice began to threaten and attack the victim and proceeded to steal his property. The victim did not know Ruiz personally but had met him through a mutual friend. It was unclear why the suspect had targeted him.
According to Milpitas Lieutenant Raj Maharaj, “Milpitas Police detectives obtained a felony arrest warrant for Ruiz III for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and false imprisonment.” Ruiz was located by the Santa Clara County Regional Auto Theft Task Force at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, located at 399 Silicon Valley Boulevard in San Jose.
When detectives tried to arrest the suspect, he barricaded himself in the room. The San Jose MERGE Unit responded to the scene where the victim remained in the room, but eventually surrendered after a two day standoff with police. Ruiz was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail once he was taken into custody.
If you have any information regarding this investigation involving Edward Ruiz III, then you are encouraged to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police.
No further information is available concerning Ruiz’ accomplice.
