NEW JERSEY MAN INDICTED IN MACHETE ATTACK

ON EX-GIRLFRIEND IN BRONX BUILDING

Victim Had to Undergo Reconstructive Surgeries on Face, Hand

          Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a New Jersey man has been indicted on Attempted Murder and Assault in a machete attack on his ex-girlfriend that has left her with life-altering injuries.

        District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly struck this 20-year-old woman, who is the mother of his two-year-old daughter, in her face, hand and neck with a machete. She survived the brutal attack but will live with grievous wounds and enduring trauma. She has shown great courage and we will bring justice for her.”

         District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Hector de la Cruz, 27, of Paterson, N.J., was arraigned today on Attempted Murder in the second degree, two counts of first-degree Assault, two counts of second-degree Assault, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Bail was set at $500,000 cash/$500,000 bond/$500,000 bond partially secured at ten percent. The defendant is due back in court on May 27, 2020.

According to the investigation, at approximately 9 p.m. on February 21, 2020 inside the lobby of 2685 Grand Concourse, the defendant allegedly approached Lisbeth Acosta-Ramirez, 20, with a machete and attempted to cause her death by striking her on the right side of her face, her right hand and the back of her neck, causing deep bleeding lacerations. Acosta-Ramirez was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital and underwent reconstructive and life-saving surgery.

          The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Simon Folkard, Supervisor in the Domestic Violence Bureau, with Assistant District Attorney Sarah Rizk of the Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Adrienne Giunta, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Joseph Muroff, Chief of the Special Victims Division.

           District Attorney Clark thanked Angelia Espinoza, of the Interpreters Unit, and Yvonne Thomas, Janette Hernandez, and Josephine Woods of the Grand Jury Unit, for their assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark thanked 52^nd Precinct Officers who responded, particularly Police Officer Anthony Laquidara and Police Officer Rolando DeLeon, for their assistance.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.