Suspects Found in Bergen Town Center Stabbing

By Naniyah McClain

Student Lifestyle Editor

Omar Cruz, 65, of Albany, N.Y. was fatally stabbed at Bergen Town Center on Tuesday Feb. 16, NJ.com reports.

The crime occurred around 6:05 p.m. on West Spring Valley Road in Maywood, NJ.com continues.

“Augusto. Augusto,” Cruz said with his last breath, revealing a name of the first suspect to responders, according to Dailyvoice.com.

Augusto Perez, 70, was charged with murder and the illegal possession of weapons; along with Jorge A. Sanchez-Valdez, 48, charged with hindering Cruz’s apprehension, NJ.com reports.

The fatal stabbing derived from a dispute over an $80 debt between Cruz and Sanchez-Valdez, NJ.com continues. Cruz asked Sanchez-Valdez to give $80 to an acquaintance, but Cruz never paid him back.

Cruz informed Perez that Sanchez-Valdez would send him threatening text messages prior to the crime, but Perez denies going to Paramus or Maywood.

Perez was taken to Bergen County Jail on Wednesday Feb. 17. He is currently waiting for his appearance in the Central Judicial Processing Court of Hackensack, NJ.com continues.

COVID-19 Numbers

There were 3,430 new positive COVID-19 cases in New Jersey bringing the total up to 758,430 positive cases in New Jersey with 365 new cases in Bergen County.