A Calverton man was sentenced to eight-and-one-half years in prison after pleading guilty to nearly stabbing a 37-year-old Riverhead man to death with a kitchen knife, causing severe physical injuries that included the removal of a portion of the victim’s pancreas.
On July 18, 2022, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Roland Oscal Cruz stabbed the victim multiple times in the back with a large kitchen knife. A plainclothes police officer observed Oscal Cruz chasing the victim down Main Street in Riverhead. When the officer stopped Oscal Cruz, he was holding the kitchen knife and covered in blood.
The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and underwent three surgeries to control the bleeding from the lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas, and colon.
The following day, the victim nearly died while being airlifted to South Shore University Hospital for additional treatment. The victim survived after multiple hours of surgery, but part of his pancreas was removed.
On January 12, 2024, Oscal Cruz, 31, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, a Class B violent felony, before Acting Supreme Court Judge Anthony S. Senft Jr. On February 14, 2024, Senft sentenced Oscal Cruz to eight-and-one-half years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
“Thankfully for the quick action of the police officer here, the defendant was arrested before anyone was killed and the victim received vital emergency care,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County.”