LI Man Indicted On Charges Of Stabbing Man In Back Multiple Times: DA

CALVERTON, NY — A Calverton man was indicted Thursday on charges of stabbing someone in the back multiple times, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.

Ronald Oscal Cruz, 29, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Tierney said.

According to Tierney, an investigation indicated that on July 18 at 10:45 p.m. Oscal Cruz stabbed
Oscar Neri Reyes, 36, of Riverhead, multiple times in the back with a large kitchen
knife.

A plainclothes police officer observed Oscal Cruz chasing the Neri Reyes down Main Street
in Riverhead, Tierney said.

When the officer stopped Oscal Cruz, he was in possession of the kitchen knife
covered in blood, Tierney said. Neri Reyes was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and endured multiple surgeries to control "massive blood loss; he suffered lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas and colon," Tierney said.

He was then airlifted to South Shore Hospital in Bay Shore and, while in the helicopter, he almost died from his injuries, Tierney said. He underwent additional surgeries at South Shore Hospital, Tierney said.

“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.

On Thursday 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 the Legal Aid Society. His next court date is August 16.