Mexican man arrested for trying to seize guardsman’s rifle

Ricardo Jaime Ruiz

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested a Mexican man for allegedly attempting to seize a Texas National Guardsman weapon as Border Patrol apprehended a group of people illegally present in the United States, according to a news release.

Ricardo Jaime Ruiz, 45, was arrested for attempting to take a weapon away from a public servant.

According to the release, Ruiz is a previously deported felon.

The release said that on Monday, after 4 p.m., the guardsman was assisting Border Patrol in apprehending a large group of people that crossed illegally into the country on South Inspiration Road in Mission near the Bentsen Palm Community Park.

The guardsman, who’s serving as part of Operation Lone Star, attempted to capture Ruiz after he fled from law enforcement and issued verbal commands to him but Ruiz failed to comply, the release said.

According to the document, Ruiz then allegedly grabbed the soldier’s M-4 rifle with both hands in attempts to take it for himself, but the guardsman held on to his weapon and Ruiz was apprehended with assistance from fellow soldiers.

Texas Rangers are investigating the incident and Ruiz was transported to Hidalgo County Jail.