(WBRE/WYOU) — The FBI is searching for a Pennsylvania man wanted after a stabbing in New Jersey that killed another man.
FBI Newark, Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Unit, Stroud Regional Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service are asking for help in the search for 26-year-old Ricky ‘Angel’ Vargas of East Stroudsburg.
The FBI says Vargas has been charged in federal court with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution after being indicted on first-degree murder charges.
New Jersey police say that in February, officers were called for a stabbing at a bar and grill in Garfield, NJ, and found 31-year-old Richard Franceschi of Hawthorne stabbed in the chest. Police say Vargas, a member of the Latin Kings gang, stabbed Franceschi, who later died from his injuries.
Jayson Rivera, 23, also from East Stroudsburg, was arrested and charged for his involvement in Franceschi’s death. The investigation revealed that Vargas and Rivera, along with three New Jersey men, were responsible for assaulting and stabbing Franceschi numerous times with a knife, police stated.
Vargas has connections to Chicago, Illinois, and Winter Park, Florida. He does not have a valid driver’s license and is known to use ride-share apps and mass transit to get around.
Detectives describe Vargas as 5’5, 200 lbs, with numerous tattoos on his arms and hands. He typically has facial hair and wears glasses.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the FBI Newark Field Office at 973-792-3000, or submit a tip online. Providing information that leads to an arrest could reward you up to $15,000.
