Accused Clerk-Punching Cigar Thief Must Get Head Checked

A Long Beach man accused of punching a clerk in the face during an argument over a cheap cigar at a gas station -- permanently injuring the woman's eye -- must get his head examined, a judge ruled Friday.

Kendrick Jamar Ruth, of Long Beach, was not arraigned Friday; the arraignment was delayed until he could have a mental competency test. 

He is charged with 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 ran off.

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.

He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, according to LASD jail records.

– City News Service contributed to this report.