By Tina Campbell
Copyright standard
Breaking Bad actor Raymond Cruz has been arrested for misdemeanour battery after allegedly spraying a neighbour with a garden hose outside his Los Angeles home.
Cruz, 63, is best known for playing volatile drug lord Tuco Salamanca in the award-winning drama and its spin-off series Better Call Saul.
According to TMZ, police were called after a woman claimed the actor deliberately sprayed her with water while he was washing his car. She alleged Cruz asked her to move and, when she refused, he blasted her with the hose. Officers arrested him at the scene on suspicion of battery.
He was taken to jail to be processed but was later released. Cruz is due to appear in court on October 1 and he has not publicly commented on the incident.
The actor’s breakout came in Breaking Bad where he played Tuco, a violent cartel figure who became a fan-favourite antagonist across the first two seasons. He reprised the role in Better Call Saul, which followed lawyer Jimmy McGill before his transformation into Saul Goodman.
Outside of the Breaking Bad universe, Cruz built a prolific TV career. He starred in more than 100 episodes of The Closer between 2005 and 2012 before continuing in its spin-off Major Crimes until 2018.
His other credits include the Oscar-winning thriller Training Day alongside Denzel Washington, cult comedy series My Name Is Earl, and guest appearances on medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.
The arrest comes just months after another hose-related story connected to Breaking Bad made headlines.
In June, Joanne Quintana, who owns the Albuquerque property used as Walter White’s family home in the series, revealed she often hoses down fans who get too close.
She said she has resorted to sitting outside with a garden chair and spraying overzealous visitors who trespass for selfies.
Quintana has since put the house up for sale, citing constant unwanted attention which is something to consider if you’re looking to put an offer in on the property.
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, ran for five seasons from 2008 to 2013 and remains one of television’s most acclaimed dramas of all time, spawning the successful prequel Better Call Saul.
