Augusto Perez
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the sentencing term handed down in Bergen County Superior Court against AUGUSTO PEREZ of North Bergen, NJ in connection with the 2021 stabbing death of Omar Cruz.
On February 16, 2021, AUGUSTO PEREZ stabbed Omar Cruz to death behind the Ulta Beauty store in the Bergen Town Center mall in Maywood, NJ. An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Maywood Police Department, and Paramus Police Department led to the arrest of PEREZ at his North Bergen home on February 17, 2021.
On April 5, 2024, after a six-week trial before the Honorable Susan J. Steele, J.S.C. in Bergen County Superior Court, a jury convicted AUGUSTO PEREZ of aggravated manslaughter and hindering his own apprehension by suppression of blood evidence connecting him to the crime.
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, during a proceeding before the Honorable Susan J. Steele, J.S.C. in Bergen County Superior Court, AUGUSTO PEREZ was sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State Prison pursuant to his conviction. The State was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Talarico and Assistant Prosecutor Ricky Ruddy of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”). They were assisted by Detective Natalia Navarro of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit and BCPO Legal Clerk Merci Meneses.
Prosecutor Musella thanks the prosecution team for their zealous advocacy for the victim and his family, and for helping combat crimes of violence in Bergen County. Prosecutor Musella also commends the detectives of the Major Crimes Unit, as well as members of the Maywood Police Department under the direction of Chief Terence Kenny, the Paramus Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Guidetti, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Anthony Cureton, for their skill and professionalism in investigating this matter.
