Raymond Cruz, the actor best known for his role as the volatile Tuco Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, was arrested by Los Angeles police on Monday over an alleged minor battery incident.
The 60-year-old star, who also featured as Sniper in the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, reportedly found himself embroiled in a dispute outside his Silverlake residence in Los Angeles. A source close to Raymond revealed that the incident unfolded while Cruz was cleaning his car early Monday morning.
A person lodged a complaint with the authorities alleging that Cruz had doused their daughter with water from a garden hose. However, Raymond’s representative has since refuted these allegations.
Nonetheless, an insider told The Mirror that Cruz had requested a woman who had parked behind him to relocate her vehicle when she arrived at his house. After asking the woman to depart from his property, the source added that the woman allegedly became agitated and began filming the renowned actor.
(Image: AMC)
The woman then contacted the police after claiming that Cruz had directed the hose at them while he was washing his car, insisting that the act was intentional, reports the Mirror.
Cruz was subsequently taken to a local Los Angeles police station, where he was booked on suspicion of minor battery.
Speaking to The Mirror, the insider revealed: “Raymond was outside his home washing his car. He is a very respected member of the community and he has resided there for over 25 years. On Monday, there was a car outside his home that he did not recognise.
“He initially thought they were three cleaning ladies inside of the vehicle because there was a lot of house cleaning stuff in it. It was parked only an inch away from his bumper – and this was right in front of his house by the way – and he asked them to please move the car so it didn’t get wet.
“They refused,” the source added. “Then they started also taping him so they recognised him. He asked them to please stop taping him and he continued washing his car and next thing you know they call the police and they filed a citizen’s arrest and accused him of spraying them deliberately with water and he has been in jail since.
“This is someone who is a well-known Hollywood actor who has lived in that community for over 25 years and has never ever had a problem with the law,” the source continued.
Police sources suggested that the Los Angeles City Attorney would probably examine the matter to decide if criminal proceedings would be brought forward.
By Monday afternoon, no official charges had been lodged.
(Image: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
This detention represents an unusual encounter with authorities for Cruz, who has dedicated decades within the showbiz world establishing himself through powerful, frequently antagonistic characters. His portrayal of the volatile and unpredictable drug dealer Tuco Salamanca in the Breaking Bad series won him critical praise and cemented his status as a cult favourite among fans.
Cruz has also showcased his acting prowess in numerous film and television roles over the years, including Training Day, further establishing his reputation as a versatile character actor.
Legal pundits point out that in California, misdemeanor battery cases often depend on whether prosecutors can demonstrate intent and if physical harm was inflicted. If pursued, the case would likely be processed through the Los Angeles County court system.
This follows Raymond’s previous conversation with The Mirror after his Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul alleged that Raymond had knocked him out on set.
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in the hit series, was involved in several intense fight scenes throughout the show, with one particular incident lingering in his memory long after filming wrapped up.
During the second episode of season two, titled Grilled, Aaron found himself in a fight scene with his co-star Raymond.
Raymond portrayed the drug kingpin Tuco Salamanca, who in the episode kidnaps Jesse and his partner Walter White. In a dramatic turn of events, Raymond throws Aaron through a screen door, leaving him semi-conscious.
Aaron later claimed that Raymond thought he was still in character and continued to kick and punch him until medical staff stepped in. However, Raymond recalls the scene unfolding quite differently.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
In an exclusive chat with The Mirror, Raymond revealed: “It’s kind of accurate but not quite because Aaron suffered a concussion at the beginning of the scene and you can see it on film.
“He gets thrown through a screen door and he catches the screen door on his arm because instead of crossing his arms when he hit the door, he had them open and caught the screen door and lifted it off its hinges.”
Raymond went on to say: “I’m actually the one who stopped it. You can see in the scene, he stood up and I thought he was really there but once we got through the wall, I stopped it and I said, ‘Um, he’s not there’.
“The guy suffered a blow to the head and it was from the screen door. And you can see it because it’s the actual scene that they used in the film.”
He concluded: “It’s a crazy take because it’s so violent, the door ripped off its hinges. He actually ripped the door off with his body weight when he got caught on it so it’s a fantastic looking take.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
