Perth Amboy announced that it has terminated its police chief who was arrested and charged late last month.
PERTH AMBOY -- The city has terminated its police chief, Benjamin Ruiz, who had been on suspension, and currently faces several charges, according to a statement from the city on Thursday.
"After much deliberation, the administration has decided to terminate Benjamin Ruiz as the chief of police of the Perth Amboy Police Department in accordance to NJ Civil Service Commission rules and regulations effective June 7, 2016," wrote Adam E. Cruz, the city's business administrator, in an email on Thursday.
Cruz added that in order to protect the integrity of the police department, the city would "need to move forward."
"It is important to know that the Perth Amboy Police Department has always operated in the utmost professionalism and conduct and will continue to serve the residents of the City of Perth Amboy," he wrote.
Ruiz, 54, was arrested late last month and charged with trespassing on the property of a convenience store, and claiming he was a police officer when confronted by the store's owner and employees, previous reports said.
Ruiz did not respond to messages left for him on Friday.
Ruiz also faces charges after being arrested in December 2014 in an unrelated theft case.
That matter arose from three separate incidents between Dec. 8, 2013 and July 29, 2014, when the Ruiz allegedly instructed city mechanics to work on his motorcycle, his classic Mustang and a friend's car.
Ruiz was indicted on those charges in February 2015, including two charges of official misconduct, theft of services and witness tampering.
A trial date in that matter has been scheduled for Aug. 24 before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Diane Pincus.
Ruiz started as an officer in the city in 1988. He was appointed chief in September 2012.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
