Police identify suspect in hotel standoff

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SAN JOSE (BCN)-- Milpitas police have identified a man who was taken into custody today after he held officers at bay for more than 24 hours at a San Jose hotel.

Edward Ruiz III, 35, of San Jose, held police at bay starting at 2:25 p.m. Sunday but was taken into custody at 12:30 a.m. today at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at 399 Silicon Valley Blvd.

Police said Ruiz III was wanted on suspicion of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, battery and false imprisonment in connection with a robbery on Jan. 13 at a Milpitas home.

At 12:07 p.m. that day, Milpitas police went to a home in the 1000 block of North Abbott Avenue after someone reported a robbery.

Police allege Ruiz III waved a shotgun and got into the home with another suspect who has not been identified. Ruiz III then assaulted the victim, 51, who he had met through an acquaintance, held him against his will and robbed him.

Both suspects got away before police arrived.

Milpitas police obtained an arrest warrant for Ruiz III and, days later, located him at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, prompting the standoff.

Following his arrest, Ruiz III was taken to the Santa Clara County Jail.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to get in touch with police at (408) 586-2400 or anonymously at either (408) 586-2500 or via the department's website at http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.