Crime Williamsburg

Accomplice to Bushwick murderer pleads guilty to clothes swap

August 31, 2017 By Paul Frangipane Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Ryan Cruzado swapped shirts with Bryan Aponte, right, after Aponte opened fire in an East Williamsburg shooting. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane.
Ryan Cruzado swapped shirts with Bryan Aponte, right, after Aponte opened fire in an East Williamsburg shooting. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane.
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The accomplice to a Bushwick man who murdered a sheet worker in East Williamsburg pleaded guilty Thursday to aiding the killer by swapping shirts with him as a diversion.

Ryan Cruzado pleaded guilty to one count of hindering prosecution before Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog for helping Bryan Aponte flee a bullet-filled scene.

Aponte and two others were allegedly trying to steal cars near Knickerbocker Avenue and Grattan Street in East Williamsburg when sheet metal worker, Michael Matusiak, approached them on Oct. 6, 2015.

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Aponte reacted by shooting five shots in Matusiak’s direction, killing him and injuring his coworker and a then-13-year-old girl walking to school, according to court documents.

Video evidence showed Cruzado swapping shirts with Aponte before they fled, according to a criminal complaint.

Aponte was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison on Wednesday for murder, attempted murder, assault and gun possession.

Cruzado will receive a promised six-month prison sentence with five years’ probation on Oct. 20.

Family members of Matusiak spoke out against Aponte at his sentencing in Brooklyn Supreme Court as Aponte’s family sat across from them.

The other two victims were treated and released from Elmhurst Hospital.

Cruzado is out on $3,000 cash bail.  


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