Week before police brawl, minister’s wife had restraining order filed against her

A temporary restraining order was issued for a Gwinnett County minister’s wife a week before she was seen on video brawling with police officers during a missing child rescue, court documents show.

Ana Cardenas Robles filed for the order against Cristina Cruz on March 19, alleging the minister’s wife stalked her and threatened her with deportation and refused to let her have contact with her teenage daughter.

Cruz, her husband Wilmer Cruz and two sons face multiple charges in Sunday’s melee at their Iglesia Cristiana Evangelica church that injured Lilburn police officers. Robles called officers to the church regarding her daughter, who was in a tan Cadillac Escalade.

“As the officers walked toward the vehicle, several people approached the officers,” Chief Bruce Hedley said in a statement. “Officers repeatedly instructed people to stand back and continued to attempt to speak to the missing juvenile in the parked car.”

Hedley said onlookers didn’t listen, leading to an altercation. Some officers were kicked and choked, he said.

Robles told the court the Cruz family took her daughter, who is pregnant by one of their sons. The family told Channel 2 Action News that the Division of Family and Children Services granted them guardianship.

A restraining order was also filed against Wilmer Cruz, but it was dismissed by a judge, according to court records.

Cristina Cruz is not allowed within 200 feet of Robles, according to the order. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Members of the Cruz family remain in the Gwinnett County jail.