RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Two gang members, including one with devil horns tattooed on his head, were convicted of attempted murder and other charges Wednesday for shooting a man in the back during a robbery outside an Ontario liquor store.
Jurors deliberated a little more than two hours before convicting brothers Reynaldo Ruiz, 24, and Marco Antonio Ruiz, 23, in West Valley Superior Court. "I'm glad the jury was able to see these guys for what they are, which is hard-core gang members," Deputy District Attorney Salvador Silva said.
Each faces more than 32 years to life in state prison when they return to court March 28 to be sentenced. The victim, a 28-year-old Chino man, went to a liquor store near Euclid Avenue and Sunkist Street in Ontario to buy beer on Halloween night 2005. When he returned to his car, the Ruiz brothers approached and asked to use his cell phone.
Prosecutors say that after repeatedly demanding the phone, Reynaldo Ruiz walked to the driver's door of the victim's car and started pummeling him. Reynaldo
22-caliber gun, prosecutors say. The brothers took the victim's car keys and the beer he just bought and fled in their own purple Honda. Police stopped the Honda a few minutes later.
Reynaldo Ruiz, who has the horns tattoo on his scalp, was arrested wearing a gang sweatshirt and holding the victim's car keys in his pocket. The stolen beer was in the Honda, and police found gunshot residue on Marco Antonio Ruiz's hand, Silva said. The brothers were convicted Wednesday of attempted murder, robbery and street terrorism.
Jurors also found true enhancements for gun use and gang participation.
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