According to court documents, 19-year-old Jonathan Cruz went on a four-day crime spree, modeled after his favorite movie.
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Cruz, whose initial hearing is set for Thursday, has been charged with three counts of murder, as well as robbery, intimidation and criminal gang enhancement. The person also said the Cruz tried to show her a video of a shooting on his phone.
He is also accused of committing an armed robbery on East 10th Street and North Linwood Avenue on Mary 14.
Police said this refers to the 2013 movie starring Ethan Hawke in which crimes could be committed without fear of prosecution over a 12-hour period once a year. Court documents state that Cruz made statements about “purging” to a person he had been dealing drugs to.
Cruz slumped in his chair today during his first court appearance as the judge read off the charges against him, according to the Indianapolis Star.
“Do u know they can still pull up deleted history”, she replied.
On May 14, Cruz and another man, 18-year-old Steven Clark, are then accused of robbing a man at gunpoint near the intersection of East 10th Street and North Linwood Avenue.
After the two murders, Cruz received a text message from his mother asking him what he was up to, according to the Star.
On the following Sunday, Cruz is accused of killing Jose Ruiz inside his auto at 16th Street and North Linwood Avenue. According to authorities, Cruz told friends he killed three people and chose victims completely at random.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said in a press conference that it appeared Cruz’s victims were randomly chosen.
However, on the following Sunday Cruz allegedly killed Jose Ruiz inside his auto.
This image provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows Johnathan Cruz.
Authorities found a text message from Cruz dated May 2 saying “I Purge every night now”.
Cruz could potentially face the death penalty, WXIN reported.
The details that the informant gave were consistent with two murders, that of Billy Boyd and Jay Higginbotham which occurred on May 12.
Reportedly, Cruz took screenshots of news stories about the crimes and sent them to his mother as well as other people via Facebook Messenger.
A manager at the fast-food joint was able to take Cruz’s attention off the girl long enough for her to escape to her vehicle.
Cruz was arrested on May 16 in a separate matter, and charged at the time with criminal confinement, kidnapping, intimidation and battery.
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The affidavit says that on several videos found on Cruz’s phone, the teen makes reference to gang activity and spews the N-word while nonchalantly handling a revolver. “Senseless acts of violence such as those alleged in this case are incomprehensible, but thanks to the swift actions of IMPD detectives, Prosecutor Terry Curry and witnesses willing to come forward, we are one step closer to providing answers for these victims’ families”.
