Crime & Safety
10-Year Quest for Revenge Ends in Charges For a Waukesha Man
Suspect punches a man in the parking lot of Pano's and threatens to kill him after he says the victim's family humiliated him a decade ago, according to criminal complaint.
Some people can't let a grudge go. For one Waukesha man, it could lead to prison time after he was accused of punching a man he claimed humiliated him 10 years ago, according to court records.
Nicholas Ruelas, 29, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Friday with one count of substantial battery. If convicted, he faces up to 3 ½ years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint:
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On Thursday, the victim was leaving Pano’s grocery store, 200 W. Main St., and got into his SUV in the parking lot when he noticed Ruelas standing outside the door. Ruelas shouted “I’m going to kill you,” punched the man twice in the face and fled from the scene.
The victim called police and told them Ruelas had lived with his father seven or eight years ago, but had no idea why he was attacked. He said a similar incident took place three years ago when Ruelas punched him in the same parking lot, then pulled out a knife and punctured one of his tires.
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Ruelas told police he lived with the victim’s family in 2002 and was mad at them because they humiliated him and were mean while he was residing there.
He’s currently being held in Waukesha County Jail on $2,500 bond while awaiting trial.
