What's Inside?
- Raymond Cruz, famous as Tuco Salamanca, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery after a dispute while washing his car.
- LAPD confirmed Cruz allegedly sprayed water during the incident, though his agent insists the situation was exaggerated and misunderstood.
- Cruz was released on his own recognizance, with a court date set for October 1, and no formal charges filed.
In a surprising turn of events, actor Raymond Cruz, best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Tuco Salamanca in Breaking Bad, was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. The incident unfolded outside his Silver Lake residence, where a seemingly routine car wash turned into a neighborhood dispute. While Cruz has since been released on his own recognizance, he is scheduled to appear in court on October 1.
Raymond Cruz Arrested After Water Hose Dispute With Neighbor
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the altercation occurred around 10:40 a.m. LAPD spokesperson Officer David Cuellar explained, “There was basically a dispute with the victim, which is when Cruz allegedly sprayed water towards the victim.”
‘Breaking Bad’ star Raymond Cruz has been arrested for spraying a child with a hose.
“Cruz was washing his car and asked the girl to move out of the way. When she didn’t, she allegedly got sprayed and believed he did it on purpose.”
(Source: https://t.co/TPvPtbLOlk) pic.twitter.com/PX4hDaskNZ
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2025
Reports suggest that Raymond Cruz was cleaning his car when tensions escalated. Sources told TMZ that he asked a young woman to move out of the way while he hosed down his vehicle. When she didn’t, water from the hose sprayed in her direction, leading her to believe it was intentional. The situation prompted a call to police, who arrived on the scene and took Cruz into custody.
Entertainment Weekly later reported that the arrest was carried out through a “private person’s arrest,” a legal process where a civilian can request law enforcement to detain someone if they believe a crime has been committed. Cruz, 60, was booked on a misdemeanor charge and released a short while later.
This marks the first arrest for the veteran actor, who has built a career portraying volatile figures on screen, yet has maintained a quiet personal life in Los Angeles for over two decades.
Raymond Cruz’s Agent Responds to Allegations
Cruz’s longtime agent, Raphael Berko, strongly denied any intentional wrongdoing, calling the accusations “outrageous and dangerous.” Berko provided his account (via EW), saying the confrontation began when a white minivan carrying three women parked “a half an inch” from Cruz’s bumper as he was washing his car (via PEOPLE).
According to Berko, Cruz asked them to move, warning them that their car would get wet. “He told them, ‘You’re not giving me room, and it’s going to get wet,’” Berko said. When they refused, Cruz began washing his car, during which the women reportedly started filming him. Berko added, “When he turned around to tell them to stop filming, he was still hosing down the car, and some of the water hit the front of their car.”
One of the women then called the police, leading to Cruz’s arrest. Berko expressed disbelief at the incident, stating, “This is someone who’s never been arrested, who played a police detective on The Closer and Major Crimes for 15 years, and lives in that neighborhood — and he was taken to jail in handcuffs.”
Despite the unexpected circumstances, Berko said Cruz remained appreciative of how law enforcement treated him. “Raymond is very grateful to all of the LAPD personnel. They were gracious, kind, and reassuring during the five hours he was held.”
As of now, no formal charges have been filed against Cruz. In cases like this, the Los Angeles City Attorney often weighs whether to pursue charges or defer prosecution, sometimes requiring an office hearing or anger management program instead of a full trial.
A Respected Career Now Overshadowed by Legal Trouble
Raymond Cruz’s arrest has sparked conversations across social media, where fans have expressed shock at seeing the actor’s name trending for the wrong reasons. Cruz, who became a household name as the menacing Tuco Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has also built a steady résumé playing law enforcement officers in long-running television dramas like The Closer and Major Crimes.
The irony of a performer who portrayed both hardened criminals and steadfast detectives facing legal trouble in real life has not gone unnoticed by the public. Whether the situation results in formal charges or is dismissed as a neighborhood dispute gone too far, Cruz’s upcoming court appearance on October 1 will be closely watched.
