The Bronx’s violent “public enemy No. 1” has been taken down on federal charges stemming from a broad-daylight murder of a rival gang member and an armed carjacking on New Year’s Eve.
Ruben Pizzaro made a brief appearance in Manhattan federal court Wednesday afternoon as Judge James Francis told the 23-year-old gang member he faces up to life in prison on the pair of charges against him.
Pizzaro — who sported a soft cast on his left arm — is accused of gunning down David Rivera around 9:15 a.m. Nov. 24 at 175th Street and Crotona Avenue in The Bronx, according to the federal complaint.
The “cold-blooded” criminal was arrested Tuesday at a time when he was wanted by other gang members, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.
Court papers allege that Pizzaro shot at Rivera and other rivals at least three times prior to the fatal shooting, which was caught on surveillance video.
Prosecutors don’t indicate which gang Pizzaro is a member of but said it’s involved in dealing heroin and cocaine and “highly territorial.”
Pizzaro is also accused of carjacking a van around 11 a.m. New Year’s Eve that was parked along Sherman Avenue in Inwood.
In that incident, he allegedly pointed a gun at the driver and forced him to hand over his ID, jacket and debit cards before fleeing.
Pizzaro’s court-appointed attorney, Avi Moskowitz, declined to comment.
He was held without bail.
In August, Pizzaro was acquitted of federal charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit a robbery by a Manhattan jury, court records show.
Additional reporting by Dana Sauchelli