Man gets 35 years in deadly stabbing at large N.J. shopping center

A man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison in the fatal stabbing of a New York resident in the parking lot of a large shopping center.

Augusto Perez, of North Bergen, was sentenced on Wednesday on convictions of aggravated manslaughter and hindering apprehension, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Earlier this year, a jury returned the two guilty verdicts following a six-week long trail.

A 911 caller reported the stabbing at Bergen Town Center in Maywood at 6:05 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2021. The massive shopping center is located off of Route 4 and houses 85 stores and restaurants.

Police found the victim, Omar Cruz, 64, of Albany, lying in a pool of blood in a parking area behind the Ulta Beauty store, officials said.

Cruz had multiple stab wounds and a long trail of blood in the parking lot led to his body, according to previous police reports.

On the scene, Cruz stated to police that Perez was the one who stabbed him. He was later. pronounced dead at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Perez was arrested at his home the day after the stabbing.