Bronx Auto Shop Owner Strangled After Brutal Robbery: Pizarro & Rivera Charged

BRONX, NY – A 36-year-old Bronx man was brutally robbed, kidnapped, and ultimately strangled to death, authorities announced today. Robert Pizarro, 37, and Juan Rivera, 39, both of the Bronx, are in custody and facing a litany of federal charges in connection with the death of Robert Bishun, the owner of an auto body shop.

According to federal prosecutors, the nightmare began on September 20, 2016, when Pizarro and Rivera stormed Bishun’s shop, robbing him at gunpoint. They then forced Bishun into his own vehicle and drove away. Hours later, Bishun’s body was discovered in the backseat of his car. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be strangulation.

“As alleged, Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera robbed, terrorized, and ultimately killed 36-year-old Robert Bishun,” stated Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim. “Today’s arrests mark the end of an exhaustive investigation by the DEA, the NYPD, and the New York State Police, and the beginning of justice for Bishun’s family.” The investigation, spearheaded by the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force’s REDRUM Group, revealed a pattern of violence.

This wasn’t the first time Pizarro and Rivera targeted Bishun. In January 2015, the pair allegedly robbed the same auto body shop, making off with approximately $10,000 in cash. Law enforcement officials say the prior robbery was a key piece in unraveling the sequence of events leading to Bishun’s death. “Through solid police work, two suspects have been put behind bars and two dangerous men are off of our streets,” said New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. “These men not only allegedly kidnapped a man from his business, robbing him of hard earned money – but they ultimately took his life.”

Both Pizarro and Rivera are charged with one count of kidnapping conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of kidnapping resulting in death, a charge that could bring the death penalty; one count of robbery conspiracy, carrying a potential 20-year sentence; and one count of use of a firearm, also with a maximum life sentence. Pizarro faces an additional charge of robbery for the 2015 incident, potentially adding another 20 years to his sentence.

“As alleged, the brazen violence carried out by the defendants… demonstrates a blatant disregard for both the law and human life,” stated NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Graham and Jessica Fende leading the charge. The DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, NYPD, and NYSP, deserves praise for their collaborative investigative efforts.”