An Ottumwa man faces a litany of charges after police say he punched a man, chased him while armed with a knife, and threw rocks at police officers.
44-year-old Ray Aruki has been charged with the following:
- Second-degree burglary (Class C felony)
- Interference with official acts – dangerous weapon (Class D felony)
- Going armed with intent (Class D felony)
- Third-degree criminal mischief (aggravated misdemeanor)
- Assault on persons in certain occupations (serious misdemeanor)
- Assault – general (simple misdemeanor)
On May 27th, court records say Aruki approached a man sitting in a parked truck on the 100 block of West Maple Avenue in Ottumwa and punched him through an open window while armed with a large knife. As the victim drove away from the scene, Aruki chased him on foot. Officials say Aruki threw rocks at the truck, causing damage to the truck’s door, truck box, and windshield. The damage was estimated to be between $750 and $1,500.
About 30 minutes later, court documents say officers from the Ottumwa Police Department arrived at the scene and located Aruki, still armed with a knife. According to police, Aruki refused to obey multiple commands to disarm himself and to stop moving away from the officers. Aruki allegedly threw rocks at two police vehicles and fled to his house.
Authorities say Aruki ignored numerous commands to exit his residence. The criminal complaint states Aruki cornered himself in a bedroom and refused to come out. Aruki was eventually arrested.
Aruki is currently lodged in the Wapello County Jail, where his bond has been set at $11,000.
