Five-Year Investigation into State Park Assault Leads to Arrest

ALBANY, NY (06/22/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Park Police last week arrested 33-year-old Filiberto Gonzalez of Mexico, following a five-year investigation into a brutal assault that occurred in Harriman State Park in 2005.

"I commend the officers who worked on this case for their persistence in bringing the suspect to justice," said Chief Richard O'Donnell, State Parks Director of Law Enforcement. "The commitment of State Parks Police officers to the safety of park patrons is evident in the fact that they never stopped working to solve this terrible crime."

On September 19, 2005 a 30-year-old female was confronted by a male passerby along Route 106 in the Town of Tuxedo, Harriman State Park. The male stopped his car next to her along Route 106, exited the car and without cause assaulted her. As he attempted to drag her toward his car, two park patrons scared him off. The victim was hospitalized with critical injuries.

The suspect, who crashed his car approximately two miles from the crime and fled the scene, was subsequently identified as a local resident, Filiberto Gonzalez. Over the course of the ensuing investigation, over 100 interviews were conducted and statements taken. Phone and bank records were analyzed with the assistance of the Rockland County Intelligence Unit, the State Police and the New York State Intelligence Center. The FBI, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and INTERPOL assisted with possible locations of the suspect in Mexico.

On May 25, 2010, a 33-year-old male, Andres Hernandez-Cruz, was arrested by the Toms River, New Jersey Police Department on domestic assault charges. Result of a fingerprint check showed the subject to have the alias of Filiberto Gonzalez and to be wanted in New York on felony assault charges. The domestic assault charges in New Jersey were adjudicated and Gonzalez waived extradition. On June 15, 2010, members of the New York State Park Police assumed custody of Gonzalez and transported him to Orange County, where he was arraigned on the felony charges of Assault 1st, Assault 2nd and Attempted Kidnapping 2nd. He is being held on $250,000 bail at the Orange County Correctional Facility.