Doretero Cruz
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, Doretero Cruz, 53 years-old from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested in relation to a motor vehicle investigation that took place on June 19, 2023, in the area of Market Street and Southard Street in Paterson, New Jersey. Doretero Cruz is charged with two Counts of Attempted Murder First Degree, Aggravated Assault Third Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Fourth Degree; Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose Third Degree.
On June 19, 2023, Paterson Police responded to the area of Market Street and Southard Street in Paterson, New Jersey on report of a motor vehicle accident involving possible struck pedestrians. Paterson Police located a motor vehicle that had crashed into a residence and a 27-year-old male Paterson, New Jersey resident, and a 30-year-old male Paterson, New Jersey resident on scene suffering from apparent injuries. Doretero Cruz was located behind the wheel of the motor vehicle and was aided by members of the Paterson Fire Department. Aid was immediately rendered, and all parties were transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey. An investigation revealed that a physical altercation between Mr. Doretero Cruz and the parties which preceded the motor vehicle accident. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Cruz then used the vehicle intentionally to strike two victims.
Mr. Doretero Cruz was subsequently charged and arrested by members of the Paterson Police Department in the area of Market Street and East 18th Street in the City of Paterson on June 21st at approximately 8:10 p.m.
The sentencing exposure for Doretero Cruz on each count of First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Third Degree Aggravated Assault it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; on Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose Third Degree it is 3-5 years New Jersey State prison, and on Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree it is 1 year to 18 months New Jersey State Prison.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.
Mr. Doretero Cruz appeared at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court on June 22, 2023. The state filed a motion for pre-trial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge Justine Niccollai on June 27, 2023.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.