Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti announced the arrests of three Plainfield men in relation to the on-going homicide investigation of Nelson Noe Garcia-Lopez, 24-year, of North Plainfield.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on August 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. The deceased has been identified as Nelson Noe Garcia-Lopez, 24, of North Plainfield.
Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Crime Scene Units, the North Plainfield Police Department, and medical investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to conduct the investigation. 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 Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office detectives and the North Plainfield Police Department were assisted by members of the Plainfield Police Department.
Officials say the investigation revealed that at approximately 2:12 a.m. on 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 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, or Plainfield
According to authorities, on August 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.
Investigators have also identified defendant Patricio M. Piruch-Netka as being present and participating in the assault/homicide. A criminal complaint has been authorized charging defendant Piruch-Netka but his current whereabouts are unknown. Detectives are actively searching for him and attempting to identify additional individuals that were either present or may have witnessed the event.
Officials say Victim Garcia-Lopez was the intended target of the assault and authorities have not released a motive to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Baquendo-Martinez and defendant Piruch-Netka were each charged with 1st degree Homicide and 3rd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendant Carcamo-Ortega was charged with 2nd degree Aggravated Assault and 3rd degree Rioting. Defendants Baquendo-Martinez and Carcamo-Orteag were lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Police say Defendant Piruch-Netka has been entered into the National Crime Information Center as a wanted person. The public is urged not to confront defendant Piruch-Netka and to contact authorities if they know of his whereabouts.