Ricky 'Angel' Vargas
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 37-year-old RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS of East Stroudsburg, PA on existing charges related to the murder of Richard Franceschi. This arrest was the result of a more than two-year investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney IV.
As previously reported, on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at approximately 12:44 a.m., the Garfield Police Department responded to a stabbing on Monroe Street in Garfield, NJ. Upon arrival, responding officers located a 31-year-old male, later identified as Richard Franceschi of Hawthorne, NJ, with multiple stab wounds to his chest. Mr. Franceschi was transported via ambulance to HMH Hackensack University Medical Center and pronounced deceased. Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit were notified, responded to the scene, and launched a joint investigation with the Garfield Police Department. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.
The investigation revealed that DANTE MOORE, JAYSON RIVERA, BRYANT SANCHEZ, ERONY SANCHEZ, and RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS were involved in the altercation with Mr. Franceschi and were charged with various crimes. At the time, DANTE MOORE, JAYSON RIVERA, BRYANT SANCHEZ, and ERONY SANCHEZ were located and arrested by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Garfield Police Department. RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS evaded capture and has been a fugitive of justice since the filing of the charges in this matter.
As previously reported, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) added RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS to the FBI’s Most Wanted List. In addition, a federal arrest warrant was obtained in this case, charging VARGAS with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit developed information pertaining to the possible whereabouts of RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS. Within a matter of hours, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and FBI agents in both New Jersey and Texas determined that VARGAS was hiding out at a residence in Longview, TX.
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, with assistance from the FBI, the Dallas (TX) Police Department, and the Longview (TX) Police Department, RICKY “ANGEL” VARGAS was located and arrested at a private residence in Longview, TX. VARGAS was taken into custody pursuant to the charges filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in 2024, namely: first-degree murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(2); one count of third-degree possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4D; one count of third-degree endangering an injured victim, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.2(A); and one count of fourth-degree possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5D. VARGAS is currently held in custody at the Gregg County Jail in Longview, TX pending extradition to Bergen County, NJ.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that all of the defendants in this case are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Garfield Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. In addition, he thanks and recognizes the invaluable assistance of the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the Dallas (TX) Police Department, and the Longview (TX) Police Department in apprehending the defendant.
