Man accused of stealing batteries from road signs

SAPD: Richard Ruiz, Jr., sold 6 stolen batteries to scrap yard

SAN ANTONIO – A theft suspect identified as Richard Ruiz, Jr. is accused of stealing six batteries from some flashing road signs and selling them to a scrap metal yard, according to an arrest affidavit. 

Ruiz was arrested by San Antonio police Tuesday on one count of theft and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. 

The affidavit stated that a worker at a local metal recycling business contacted police in May regarding some batteries that had been sold to the business.  

The worker suspected the items, described as Specialty Golf Car Deep Cycle Batteries, were stolen. 

They appeared to be brand new and had wires that had been cut dangling from them, the affidavit stated.   

Police investigated and determined that Ruiz sold the batteries to the business.   

The affidavit stated that when officers went to his home, they noticed two large, battery powered CPS Energy signs in the area, warning drivers about work that was being done on power lines. 

The signs each had eight batteries in them which were the same brand and model as the ones that Ruiz sold to the scrap metal yard, the affidavit stated.

It also stated that they had wires that were the same type as the ones dangling from the stolen batteries.  

The affidavit also names a woman who police believe was involved in the case and sold six other batteries to a different metal recyclers. 

It is unclear whether she has been arrested yet.


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.