Updated (July 21, 2022): Anthony Cruz turned himself into the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office on July 20.
He was arrested and charged with two felonies: second-degree assault and second-degree criminal mischief.
Cruz was arraigned in court and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail in lieu of $5000 bail.
Original story (July 17):
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—Deputies at the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) have asked the public to help locate a 25-year-old male suspect allegedly involved in the assault of a pregnant woman on June 29.
Anthony R. Cruz is believed to be involved in other reported road rage incidents in the area and is known to frequent the Elmira, N.Y. area, according to the statement from TCSO.
Officers responded to the reported assault and arrived on scene at the Dunkin Donuts located at 302 Pine Tree Road in the Town of Ithaca around 8:40 a.m. the morning of June 29.
A pregnant woman was located by officers with injuries from “being punched in the face,” and “[dragged] by a vehicle,” according to the statement.
The woman told the officers she was involved in a road rage incident just before she pulled into the Dunkin Donuts. When she left the store, she noticed the same vehicle she encountered was parked directly next to hers.
Upon approaching her car, she noticed it had been keyed. She attempted to speak with the male subject, but was “quickly assaulted,” according to the statement.
In an attempt to stabilize herself, the woman grabbed the suspect’s car door. He then reversed and dragged the victim approximately 50 feet.
Police have already arrested one person they say was involved in the incident. Makendra Peterson, 23 years-old of Painted Post, was arrested on July 13 and charged with second-degree assault, a class D felony, for driving the suspects’ vehicle, police alleged. Cruz is being pursued on charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief.
To share information on Cruz’s whereabouts, call the tip line at 607-266-5420. If the information includes a real-time location, officers ask the individual dial 911 rather than the tip line.