The Antelope Valley Times

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Reward increased to $30K to find killers of Lancaster cashier

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The robbery-killing happened around 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at a convenience store on the 44400 block of Division Street in Lancaster. [Main photo credit: April Jenkins, AV Scanner News] Victim John Ruh (inset) was widely-known for his smile, sunny disposition and friendliness on the job.
LANCASTER – A $30,000 reward was offered Tuesday for information leading to the killers of a Marine Corps veteran who was gunned down during a robbery at the Lancaster convenience store where he worked.

John Ruh, 61, of Lancaster was working a cashier shift when the business in the 44400 block of Division Street was robbed around 8:30 a.m. Feb. 19 by two men, one of whom shot him in the chest before both fled on foot, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Ruh died at the scene.

[Click image to enlarge]
At a news conference Tuesday, March 6, detectives displayed security images of the suspects, described as “black males of unknown age who wore sweatshirts with the hoods cinched-down to conceal their faces.”

The news conference was attended by the Ruh’s girlfriend, Michelle Brace, and sister, Teresa Vail.

“This has left our family totally devastated …,” Brace said. “He was a good man, and all we want is for him to have justice.”

Vail said: “Nobody deserves to die the way he did. And we need to find whoever is responsible, and we need to get justice; we need to know that they are being taken off the street. My brother (needs) that peace; I need that peace.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger had earlier announced a $20,000 reward for information that helps investigators solve the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice. The city of Lancaster added another $10,000, bringing the reward total to $30,000.

Anyone with information about the killing is encouraged to call Homicide Bureau Detective Steve Blagg or Detective Scott Lawler at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or send an email to lacrimestoppers.org.

Previous related stories:

Reward offered for suspects in robbery, fatal shooting in Lancaster

Cashier shot, killed during robbery in Lancaster 

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21 comments for "Reward increased to $30K to find killers of Lancaster cashier"

  1. They are the killers and they are gang related. That’s the facts you ignorant people
    Be glad it wasn’t your daughter child or grandchild in that store. These guys are ruthless and don’t care…. they live in the neighborhood close by the store it was planned they are close to the crime scene close enough to zero in on. The nearest housing tract

    • Whether they are the killers or not is to be determined in a court, not by a mysterious “watcher.” But since you have all this knowledge I certainly hope you are sharing it with law enforcement and not just here.

  6. I see a former Marine veteran of the United States of America who at one time took a oath to protect this country with his life, disgustingly take from us. Now his life taken by the lowest of scum and filth who walks in our society. It is my opinion that when these two are caught they have given up their right to due process and taken out in the desert and eliminated and left to rot. To waste tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars for a trial is a burden on society that they have forfeited when they took this mans life. I hope that the arresting office is a former or reserve Marine himself and has a little time with these 2 alone. Rest in peace Marine and from a Air Force veteran who grew up in Lancaster God Speed Sir! Slow Salute, S/F.

      • We could shortcut that “no due process required” and just take you two out for elimination. I mean, as long as we aren’t going to bother with a trial to make sure we have the right guys we might as well take you two as anyone else, right?

        • You shortcut that “no due process required” all the time! Leave him alone to express his emotions.

          • Please point out where I have advocated for law enforcement to impose penalties without due process, ever. Or feel free to retract and stop falsely assigning me views I have never supported.

            When someone’s “feelings” are that we would be better off under totalitarian rule I see no reason to let them express them unchallenged.

          • Most cops who commit crimes don’t NEED due process because the blue code keeps them from ever being charged, much less punished.

          • BOB-spoken like the dimwit that never has anything to say unless it is about me that you are. Find something else to center your life on Bob, an anonymous commenter that you know nothing about just isn’t worth it.

    • Hey bob do u feel the same way about the florida killer of 17…or do u have that white sympathy because his mother died…[removed] he probably killed her too

  8. (from nbc) “Authorities said there was an exchange between Rhu and the robbers before the shooting, but the department did not provide details regarding the nature of the conversation” – He probably told them ” Sorry guys, there is not a lot of cash in the register this early” So he most likely lost his life for a few hundred dollars.