Photo: Arrest scene
WALNUT CREEK — An armed young man and a juvenile accompanying him were arrested following a workplace harassment incident. They were taken into custody a short distance from a BART train station near downtown.
Moris A. Ruiz-Canizales, 21 of Antioch, remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $75,000 bond. Ruiz-Canizales and a 17-year-old from PIttsburg were arrested by Walnut Creek police officers on April 9.
Ruiz-Canizales is apparently a disgruntled ex-employee. He visited his former workplace on April 8 while carrying a firearm in his waistband. He allegedly made threats concerning another employee who was not on the premises.
The suspect left but vowed to return, which he did on the following day. This time Ruiz- Canizales arrived with the juvenile. Both individuals carried firearms in their waistbands, and harassed employees before leaving the area.
On alert for them, officers located Ruiz-Canizales and the 17-year-old near the BART train station. They attempted to flee but they were quickly outrun by faster WCPD officers.
During the brief foot chase, both suspects allegedly ditched their firearms. However, officers located a loaded 9 mm gun and a replica BB gun along the flight path taken by them. The loaded weapon was a homemade “ghost” gun with no serial number.
As it turns out Ruiz-Canizales had an outstanding arrest warrant. In addition to being arrested for carrying a loaded firearm, he was booked for assault, robbery, and vehicle theft.
