Muralist arrested says police acted inappropriately

Inappropriate conduct.

That’s how a local graffiti artist is describing the actions of police after he was arrested Thursday afternoon.

The incident was caught on video and it’s causing a buzz.

For the past five years Memorial weekend marks a big weekend for graffiti enthusiasts in El Paso.

Artists from California to New York and El Paso legally show off their talents on designated walls.
For one local artist the weekend started with a night in jail.

At first sight the industrial park between South Cotton and Cole streets may seem like any other industrial park.

But if you look closely, artists are concentrating, rattling and spraying their visions on walls.

For one artist, it led to his arrest.

“We decided to start painting the wall to get our paintings out,” said Robert Ruiz, the artist getting arrested in the video.

He says police pulled over and approached him and other artists working on a mural.

“When the officer started walking towards me he asked me ‘let me see your ID,'” said Ruiz.

“Never once was I asked what I needed to ID myself for,” Ruiz continued.
Ruiz says he continually asked why he was being asked to identify himself.

“I didn’t feel like I was being detained, I didn’t feel like I was doing any criminal activity so therefore I don’t think I need to identify myself until I do so,” said Ruiz.
“That’s when he grabbed me by the shirt area and he slammed me to the floor,” Ruiz went on to say.

El Paso police told ABC-7 a unit was called out for graffiti in progress.

“I could totally understand if the officer came out his car and said ‘we got a report for graffit let me see your ID’s.’ I’m more than positive I would of given it to him,” said Ruiz.

El Paso Police sent ABC-7 this statement.

“We are aware of the video and the incident. It is important to note that the video does not show the entire incident. With that said, there doesn’t appear to be any officer misconduct based on the video itself. it is also clear that the individual being taken into custody is not complying with the officer’s directions during this interaction.”

Ruiz feels it was inappropriate conduct.

“I just want them to realize they can’t treat people they way that they want, there are laws that police have to follow and I want them to respect that,” said Ruiz.

ABC-7 asked police why Ruiz was initially asked to show ID.

The report states there were open containers in the area but never stated if they belonged to Ruiz.

Ruiz was charged for resisting arrest and bonded out at 4 a.m. Friday morning.
The graffiti art exhibition will continue through the weekend.