GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A man already in the Clay County Jail on charges of driving under the influence, fleeing law enforcement at a high rate of speed, crashing into a tree and resisting law enforcement now faces additional charges of armed robbery and possession of a weapon as a convicted felon.

Gary Lee Ruis, 43, of Green Cove Springs, was charged on Aug. 9 with the two additional crimes following an investigation after he was arrested on July 11 when Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Speedway convenience store in Green Cove Springs that individuals in two cars were shooting at each other.

Minutes earlier, Ruis called 911 and reported someone had stolen his wife’s gun. However, he refused to meet with CCSO and disconnected the call.

Deputies were called to the convenience store three minutes later for the shootout. According to the arrest report, one of the cars almost hit the CCSO squad car. When he attempted to stop the car, Ruis drove away at approximately 80 mph in a 25 mph zone. He drove west on County Road 315, failed to negotiate the hard left turn at Fuzzy Lane, and struck a tree.

Once he was in custody, CCSO said Ruiz started beating his head against the prisoner divider inside the sheriff’s office car. He was placed in a hobble for his protection, CCSO said. At the jail, Ruiz headbutted a deputy, causing a one-inch bruise under the deputy’s right eye.

Ruis will remain in jail without bond until his next court appearance on Sept. 9.