Accused Clerk-Punching Cigar Thief Charged With Felonies

A man accused of punching a female clerk in the face at a Lakewood gas station in a dispute over a $1.41 cigar was charged Friday with a pair of felonies.

Kendrick Jamar Ruth, of Long Beach, was expected to be arraigned sometime Friday in Bellflower on one count each of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and mayhem, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Ruth, 35, allegedly punched the woman around 1:15 p.m. Sept. 7 at a Chevron station at 4910 Lakewood Blvd., in an attack that was captured by the station's security camera.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Ruth waited in line at the clerk's register and asked the employee for a $1.41 Swisher Sweet cigar. He handed the clerk a $1 bill and when the 23-year-old woman told him the cigar cost 41 cents more, he allegedly argued with her and then threatened her.

Sheriff's officials said the suspect tried to grab the cigar from the clerk, but she pulled it away, put it under the counter and told the man he needed to leave. At that point, he allegedly leaned over the counter and punched her in the face, leaving her with serious injuries, and then fled.

Prosecutors said the woman suffered a permanent eye injury.

Ruth, who was arrested Wednesday at a Long Beach motel, faces up to eight years in prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

– City News Service.