(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Ronald Oscal Cruz, a 29-year-old man accused of stabbing a man in the back multiple times.
“This defendant is alleged to have brutally and possibly attacked the victim who, as a result of his injuries, endured numerous surgeries and remains in the hospital battling to recuperate from his life-threatening wounds,” said Tierney. “The message of this case is clear, if you violently endanger the lives of others in Suffolk County, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Oscal Cruz is charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.
According to the investigation, on July 18, 2022 at approximately 10:45 p.m. Oscal Cruz stabbed the victim, Oscar Neri Reyes, 36, of Riverhead, multiple times in the back with a large kitchen knife. A plainclothes police officer observed the defendant chasing the victim down Main Street in Riverhead. When the officer stopped Oscal Cruz, he was in possession of the kitchen knife covered in blood. The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and endured multiple surgeries to control massive blood loss. The victim suffered lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas and colon. The victim was then airlifted to South Shore Hospital in Bay Shore.
While in the helicopter the victim almost died from his injuries. He underwent additional surgeries at South Shore Hospital.
On July 28, 2022 at his arraignment on the indictment, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr. ordered Oscal Cruz held on $1 Million cash/$2 Million bond or $5 Million partially secured bond. Oscal Cruz is being represented by Legal Aid Society. His next court date is August 16, 2022.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Pamela J. Bloomfield of the Major Crimes Bureau.