Detectives Make Arrest in Georgetown Homicide

Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz

Georgetown – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has arrested Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz, 22 of Georgetown, in connection with the death of a 30-year-old Georgetown man.

At approximately 2:54 a.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016, troopers responded to the 14,000 block of Wilson Hill Road for a report of an assault. Troopers made contact with a 40-year-old female at a neighboring house who stated she had just been brutally assaulted by her tenant. The investigation revealed, Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz, who had just recently been allowed to rent a room at that residence, began assaulting the female victim around 7:00 p.m. Saturday October 29, 2016. At one point, he tied her to her bed and then grabbed a kitchen knife and began cutting her about the legs, throat, and hands. Once the assault was over, he untied her and left the bedroom which gave her time to flee and run to a neighbor's house where they called 9-1-1. She was then transported by Emergency Medical Services to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where she was treated and eventually released with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

In the course of this investigation, troopers responded to the victim's residence where they located an unidentified male subject in the driveway. Sussex County Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead deceased. The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted and removed the male victim, who was later identified as Ricardo Perez-Ramirez, 30 of Georgetown. An autopsy was conducted on Monday October 31, 2016, which ruled the death a homicide by blunt force trauma to the head.

Delaware State Police Homicide Detectives took over the case and upon searching the house, located documents in the bedroom of Cruz which positively identified him. On Sunday, October 30, 2016 at approximately 11:15 p.m. troopers made contact with Cruz in the area of Concord Road (Rt. 20) west of County Seat Highway (Rt. 9), Seaford as a call was made for a suspicious person in the area. Cruz was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 4 Georgetown, where he was charged with one count of Assault 1st Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP3 and committed Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $80,000.00 cash bond.

On November 1, 2016, Homicide Detectives were able to link Cruz to the murder and charged him with Murder 1st and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP3 and remains incarcerated at SCI on an additional 2,500,000.00 cash bond.

Released: 110116 1435

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**Update 2** Troopers Arrest Suspect in Assault

Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Seaford, De. – The Delaware State Police have arrested Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz, 22 of Georgetown, in connection with an assault late Sunday night.

On Sunday, October 30, 2016 at approximately 11:15 p.m. troopers made contact with Cruz in the area of Concord Road (Rt. 20) west of County Seat Highway (Rt. 9), Seaford as a call was made for a suspicious person in the area. Cruz was contacted and taken into custody without incident.

Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz, 22 of Georgetown, was transported to Troop 4 Georgetown, where he was formally charged with one count of Assault 1st Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed in default of $80,000.00 cash bond. (Mug shot attached)

Released: 103116 1501

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**Update**

Troopers Seek Whereabouts of Assault Suspect

Georgetown, DE. – The Delaware State Police is currently conducting a death investigation after an adult male was discovered deceased at a residence west of Georgetown.

While in the course of conducting the death investigation on Wilson Hill Road, Delaware State Police Detectives were able to determine a separate assault had occurred. At this time, the Delaware State Police is limiting information so not to jeopardize the on-going investigation.

Delaware State Police detectives were able to identify Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz, 22 of Georgetown, as the suspect in the assault. A warrant was secured for Cruz for one count of Assault 1st Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony.

Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz is described as a Hispanic male, 22 years of age, approximately 5’06” tall and 200 lbs., anyone with any information into the whereabouts of Juan Carlos Tovar Cruz is to contact 9-1-1 immediately. (See attached photo)

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident is also asked to contact Detective D. Grassi at 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Released: 103016 2201

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Detectives Conducting a Death Investigation – Georgetown

Georgetown, DE- the Delaware State Police are currently conducting a death investigation after an adult male was discovered deceased at a residence west of Georgetown.

At approximately 2:54 a.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016, troopers responded to the 14,000 block of Wilson Hill Road, Georgetown after a report of a male subject was found. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and pronounced the unidentified victim dead at the scene and detectives were contacted.

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted and removed the male victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation into the death of the male subject is in its early stages.

Detectives are continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. Additional information and investigative details will be disseminated as soon as it becomes available and the investigation progresses. No suspect information has been developed at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective D. Grassi at 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”