Arrest made in stabbings at Blauvelt restaurant

Mike Randall
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Orangetown police have reported an arrest in connection with a large fight at a restaurant in Blauvelt the night of March 6 in which two men were stabbed, one of them fatally.

Police said their investigation into the fight developed a suspect, Darin W. Peterson, 27, of West Haverstraw. Following an intensive search throughout the New York City metropolitan area, in which nearly a dozen other law enforcement agencies assisted,

Peterson turned himself in to Orangetown police on Monday.

Peterson was charged with attempted second-degree murder and with first-degree assault, both felonies.

Police initially responded to the Oiso restaurant on Route 303 in Blauvelt around 10:50 p.m. March 6 to a report of shots fired. No shooting victims were reported, but two stabbing victims were taken to area hospitals.

One of them, Caneggio A. Grant, 30, of Nanuet, died the following day.

In response to a question as to why Peterson was only charged with attempted murder,

Orangetown police Captain James Brown responded, "This case remains an active investigation, particularly the homicide."

Peterson's charges were determined after consulting with the Rockland County District Attorney's office, Brown said.

"We will not be commenting further at this time," he added.

Peterson was arraigned before Orangetown Justice Richard Finning and sent to the Rockland County Correctional Center, pending further court action.

Orangetown police are asking any witnesses or others who have relevant information about the case to contact them at 845-359-3700; or submit an anonymous tip by downloading the Rockland CO DA Tip411 app, or texting the keyword ROCKLANDCODA to 847411, typing your tip and hitting send.