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2 Men Face Death Penalty in Kidnapping Murder of Auto Shop Owner: Feds

By Ben Fractenberg | March 16, 2017 9:25pm
 Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were charged with kidnapping and murdering Robert Bishun, 36, in The Bronx.
Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were charged with kidnapping and murdering Robert Bishun, 36, in The Bronx.
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MORRIS PARK — Two Bronx men are facing the death penalty after being arrested and charged in the kidnapping and murder of a local auto-body shop owner, federal prosecutors said.

Robert Pizarro, 37, and Juan Rivera, 39, robbed Robert Bishun, 36, and several of his family members at gunpoint inside of his shop at 1631 Stillwell Ave. on Sept. 20, according to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office.

They bound his two relatives and then forced Bishun into his own car and drove off. He was found several hours later with a zip tie around his neck. He was rushed to Montefiore Hospital where he later died.

“Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera robbed, terrorized, and ultimately killed 36-year-old Robert Bishun,” said acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon 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.”

Pizarro had already robbed Bishun once before in the same shop in January 2015, taking about $10,000 in cash from him.

The men were both charged with kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death — which carries a maximum sentence of death — and robbery conspiracy and use of a firearm. 

Pizarro was also charged with robbery for the 2015 incident.