Man Jailed After Robbing Family Dollar and Pushing Employee on His Way Out

LUBBOCK, TX — A man was arrested Thursday after allegedly stealing from a Family Dollar and pushing a store clerk.

According to court documents, Lubbock Police officers responded to a Family Dollar at 5309 50th Street on May 29 after a report of a robbery. The suspect, described as wearing a black and red shirt with shorts, reportedly stole merchandise and pushed an employee as he left.

Police later spotted Christopher Ruiz, 37, walking in a park on 50th Street and Chicago Avenue, matching the description given by dispatch. As officers approached Ruiz, he appeared agitated and tossed a small black portable speaker into a trash can before speaking with them.

When questioned, officers searched Ruiz’s backpack and found a larger speaker at the bottom. He admitted to pushing the clerk, claiming it happened because the store staff were trying to make him leave. He also admitted to stealing the speaker he threw away and later confirmed the other speaker in his backpack was stolen the day before.

Officers placed Ruiz under arrest for Robbery and recovered both speakers. When returning the speakers to Family Dollar, the manager on duty confirmed that both speakers were stolen that day and showed officers the empty boxes from the speakers. 

The employee who was pushed told officers the encounter caused her pain after being shoved into metal merchandise hooks as Ruiz left the store.

Ruiz was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center and remains in custody on a $12,500 bond.