Hunter
08/07/25
Coralville Police arrested an area transient after he allegedly took a vehicle he had previously sold to an individual.
According to police, 26-year-old Marco Martinez Ruiz sold a Nissan Armada to the victim for $1300 on July 28th. Two days later, Ruiz was at the Iowa Lodge apartment of the purchaser, demanding to get the vehicle back. The tenant reportedly had to force Ruiz out of the apartment and locked the door. Ruiz allegedly tried to get back in by striking the door with a piece of wood, but was unsuccessful. He then reportedly used the wood to break the front window.
When the tenant refused to give the car back, Ruiz allegedly used a second set of keys he kept and drove away with the Nissan.
Ruiz caused approximately $500 in damage to the tenant’s window and an unspecified amount of damage to the door.
He was charged with 2nd degree Theft and 4th degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on both counts, Ruiz faces up to six years in prison.