Suffolk DA: Calverton man indicted on charges in near-fatal stabbing
In a statement Thursday, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the man allegedly stabbed by defendant Ronald Oscal Cruz has “endured numerous surgeries and remains in the hospital battling to recuperate from his life-threatening wounds." Credit: Randee Daddona
A 29-year-old Calverton resident accused of stabbing and nearly killing a Riverhead man was charged with second-degree attempted murder and other charges in an indictment unsealed Thursday in Riverhead.
Suffolk County Judge Anthony Senft Jr. ordered Ronald Oscal Cruz held on $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond. Oscal Cruz, also charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, is scheduled to return to court Aug. 16.
Oscal Cruz allegedly stabbed the victim, 36-year-old Oscar Neri Reyes of Riverhead, multiple times in the back with a large kitchen knife about 10:45 p.m on July 18, according to Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
A plainclothes police officer saw Oscal Cruz, in possession of a blood-covered kitchen knife, chasing Neri Reyes down Main Street in Riverhead that evening, Tierney said in a statement. The victim, who suffered lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas and colon, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and required multiple surgeries to control massive blood loss.
He was then airlifted to South Shore Hospital in Bay Shore. Neri Reyes nearly died from his injuries while in the helicopter, authorities said. He later underwent additional surgery at South Shore Hospital.
“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,” Tierney said.
