Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti announced the arrest of Patricio M. Piruch-Nekta, 25, of Plainfield, for his involvement in the homicide death of Nelson Noe Garcia-Lopez, 24-year, of North Plainfield.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Aug. 19th, at approximately 2:18 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received regarding a fight in the area of Grove Street in North Plainfield.
Initial responding North Plainfield Police Officers found the victim suffering from stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced.
Officials say the deceased has been identified as Nelson Noe Garcia-Lopez, 24, of North Plainfield.
The post mortem examination revealed that Garcia-Lopez had been stabbed multiple times throughout his body and the manner of death was deemed a homicide.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the investigation revealed that at approximately 2:12 a.m. on Sunday, August 19th the victim Garcia-Lopez, while walking alone on West Front Street, passed a group of approximately fifteen individuals, some of whom eventually began to chase the victim on foot as he ran down Grove Street into North Plainfield.
As a result of conducting dozens of interviews and following up on potential leads, detectives have identified the following individuals as being involved in the assault and death of Garcia-Lopez:
Oscar Ivan Baquendo-Martinez, 23, of Plainfield
Patricio M. Piruch-Nekta, 25, of Plainfield,
Cesar A. Carcamo-Ortega, 25, of Plainfield
According to authorities, on Aug. 22nd, detectives separately located defendants Baquendo-Martinez and Carcamo-Ortega within the city of Plainfield. Both defendants Baquendo-Martinez and Carcamo-Ortega were transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office where they were interviewed and subsequently charged for their involvement in the incident.
Officials say Garcia-Lopez was the intended target of the assault and authorities have not released a motive to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
UPDATE: On Aug. 24th at approximately 6 p.m., defendant Piruch-Nekta surrendered to authorities at the North Plainfield Police Department. Detectives assigned to the investigation interviewed defendant Piruch-Nekta and subsequently served him with his criminal complaint.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that today the criminal charges against defendant Carcamo-Ortega were upgraded to 1st degree Homicide and 3rd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendant Baquendo-Martinez and defendant Piruch-Netka were each previously charged with 1st degree Homicide and 3rd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendants Baquendo-Martinez, Piruch-Nekta and Carcamo-Ortega were lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.