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UPDATE: Prospect Park Men Arrested for Paterson Homicide

Paterson

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Luis Salas, 27, and Jonathan Cristobal, 23, both of Prospect Park, were arrested Friday night without incident in relation to a homicide that took place on April 1, 2018 in Westside Park in Paterson.

Police say both men are charged with the crimes of Murder, first degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree.

According to police, on May 1, 2018, at approximately 1:40, p.m., police were notified that a body was observed in the Passaic River near Westside Park. Upon their arrival, officers observed the remains of a deceased unidentified male in the river.

The remains were recovered from the river with the assistance of the Paterson Fire Department. Subsequent to an autopsy, the remains were identified as Jorge Alfaro-Alcalde, a 26-year-old Prospect Park man who had been reported missing by his family on April 1, 2018.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Alfaro-Alcalde had gone to the park with friends, and that Salas and Cristobal went to the Park to confront him according to police.

Upon locating Alfaro-Alcalde in the Park, Salas and Cristobal assaulted him and threw his body in the river following the assault police said.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 1:30, p.m.

The State has filed motions for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.

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