Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of RICHARD JOHNSON, 34, JAREL MOORE, 37, and MICHAEL VIZCAINO, 34, for coordinating a gunpoint robbery against 35-year-old Tobias Savice in January 2024. As alleged, JOHNSON shot Savice in the ankle during the gunpoint robbery and Savice sustained a blood clot, which led to his death approximately a month later. VIZCAINO was arraigned in Supreme Court on June 24, 2024. JOHNSON was arraigned on a superseding indictment on June 13 and MOORE on June 20, on the same indictment.  

All the defendants are now charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Murder in the Second Degree and Robbery in the First Degree. JOHNSON and MOORE are additionally charged with two counts each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. JOHNSON is also charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree. [1]  

“These defendants allegedly coordinated and enacted a gunpoint robbery that led to the death of Tobias Savice, a good-spirited family man,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Although Mr. Savice remained strong on his road towards recovery, he sadly succumbed to the effects of his injuries. I join his family and loved ones in remembering Mr. Savice’s life and honoring his memory.”   

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, in January 2024, Mr. Savice reached out to VIZCAINO, his tailor, to schedule an appointment for clothing alterations. VIZCAINO arranged for Mr. Savice to meet with a colleague at a store, located in a Midtown building, near West 38th Street and 8th Avenue on January 6. VIZCIANO contacted MOORE, whom he was acquainted with, and remained in contact with him about Mr. Savice’s arrival at the building.   

On January 6, 2024, at approximately 1:20 p.m., MOORE arrived at the building with JOHNSON, whom he was acquainted with, to enact their robbery plan. After scoping out the building, JOHNSON waited in the 7th floor stairwell for Mr. Savice to arrive for his appointment. When Mr. Savice entered and got off the elevator on the 7th floor, JOHNSON approached, displayed a firearm and demanded his belongings, including a $42,000 Rolex watch.

Mr. Savice refused to comply and a struggle ensued. JOHNSON shot Mr. Savice in the ankle, causing him to fall to the ground. JOHNSON eventually took the watch and exited the building, to meet MOORE outside. They fled the scene, walking northbound on 8th Avenue. Later that day, JOHNSON, in coordination with MOORE, attempted to pawn the watch in Midtown.

Mr. Savice suffered a fractured tibia bone, had to receive multiple surgeries and was hospitalized for several days. He was also unable to walk and nearly a month later, Mr. Savice developed a fatal blood clot. He died on February 4, 2024.

JOHNSON was arrested on January 27, 2024, MOORE was arrested on February 5, 2024 and VIZCAINO was arrested on June 24, 2024. JOHNSON possessed several vials of cocaine when he was arrested.   

Assistant D.A.s Kavita Bovell, Kristen Tierney and Victoria Notaro (Trial Bureau 50) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Jessica Lynn (Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistants Evan Rosado (Trial Bureau 50) and Investigative Analysts Jesse Hixon and Matthew Martinez are providing valuable assistance. Former Paralegal Katherine Dowling also provided valuable assistance. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Sean Gilbert from the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Kevin Carrig from Manhattan North Homicide Squad.   

Defendant Information: 

RICHARD JOHNSON

New York, NY 

Charged: 

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Robbey in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony, three counts
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

JAREL MOORE

New York, NY 

Charged: 

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count  
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts

MICHAEL VIZCAINO

Bronx, NY 

Charged: 

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count  

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.