On August 2, 2023, at approximately 2:00 am, Deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office responded to an address in the 2200 block of H Road after a woman called 911, reporting she and her friend had been attacked and assaulted by an intoxicated male. The caller stated they had gotten the male out of the home, but he was attempting to break a window to regain entry.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the male had returned to his own trailer on the property but was refusing to come out. Deputies attempted to get the male to exit the home unsuccessfully. After several hours SWAT team members with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to the scene. Ultimately the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
50-year-old Phillip Ruiz, of Grand Junction, was arrested and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility, where he is being held on the following charges:
- Assault 2nd Degree with intent to cause bodily injury by strangulation (F4)
- Criminal Attempt (F4) for 1st-degree assault
- Assault 1st Degree with intent to cause serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon (F3)
- Menacing - Real simulated weapon
Both victims were taken to an area hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.