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Houston police arrest 'mattress murders' suspect | Houston police arrest 'mattress murders' suspect |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Texas police have arrested a registered sex offender who is suspected of killing three people after cutting off his ankle monitor while out of jail. | Texas police have arrested a registered sex offender who is suspected of killing three people after cutting off his ankle monitor while out of jail. |
Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, 46, was captured driving a car belonging to one of his victims, police announced in a news conference on Tuesday. | |
Police say he killed a 62-year-old widow in her home before later killing two people at separate mattress shops. | Police say he killed a 62-year-old widow in her home before later killing two people at separate mattress shops. |
He was found with a pistol in the car when he was arrested, police say. | He was found with a pistol in the car when he was arrested, police say. |
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters that it was too early to say what triggered the parolee's deadly "rampage". | Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters that it was too early to say what triggered the parolee's deadly "rampage". |
"We'd like to find out what the motive was, or the underlying motive," he said. | "We'd like to find out what the motive was, or the underlying motive," he said. |
Rodriguez, who has distinctive head and neck tattoos, was arrested just before 07:00 local time (12:00 GMT). | Rodriguez, who has distinctive head and neck tattoos, was arrested just before 07:00 local time (12:00 GMT). |
Police say he led them on a 14-minute car chase, before being taken into custody without incident. | Police say he led them on a 14-minute car chase, before being taken into custody without incident. |
"There was a pistol in his vehicle so we're just relieved that no one else got hurt," Sheriff Gonzalez said after the arrest. | "There was a pistol in his vehicle so we're just relieved that no one else got hurt," Sheriff Gonzalez said after the arrest. |
The sheriff said it was possible that Rodriguez was "casing the neighbourhood in search of his next victim". | |
"We knew that this was one of the areas he had targeted before," Sheriff Gonzalez told reporters. | |
"You never know what's in their mind and in the end, I'm just glad it ended peacefully." | |
During the news conference, police said they were not searching for any additional suspects and that Rodriguez had not said anything to authorities thus far. | |
Police say Rodriguez began his crime spree on 9 July when he attacked someone during a home invasion and robbery. | Police say Rodriguez began his crime spree on 9 July when he attacked someone during a home invasion and robbery. |
On 13 July, he allegedly shot dead Pamela Johnson, a 62-year-old widow, inside her home, before stealing her car. | |
The next day - 14 July - he is alleged to have shot Mattress Firm employee Allie Barrow, 28, who was found in the back of the shopping mall store by her manager. | The next day - 14 July - he is alleged to have shot Mattress Firm employee Allie Barrow, 28, who was found in the back of the shopping mall store by her manager. |
On 16 July, he allegedly shot Mattress One employee Edward Magana, who died shortly after taking his lunch break not far from the first mattress store. | On 16 July, he allegedly shot Mattress One employee Edward Magana, who died shortly after taking his lunch break not far from the first mattress store. |
Police say that on the same day, he also robbed and shot a bus driver at a petrol station. | Police say that on the same day, he also robbed and shot a bus driver at a petrol station. |
The male victim was taken to hospital and is expected to survive. | The male victim was taken to hospital and is expected to survive. |
All of the crimes occurred within several miles of each other. | All of the crimes occurred within several miles of each other. |
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tweeted after Rodriguez's capture that the city could breathe "a sigh of relief". | |
During the manhunt, police warned the public that Rodriguez should be "considered a serial killer, armed and dangerous". | During the manhunt, police warned the public that Rodriguez should be "considered a serial killer, armed and dangerous". |
"He's been on a rampage in a series of murders," Chief Acevedo had said on Monday at a news conference. | |
"Let's get this man off the street as soon as possible." | "Let's get this man off the street as soon as possible." |
According to KTRK News, Rodriguez has multiple previous convictions for burglary, attempted aggravated sex abuse, auto theft, and criminal trespassing. | According to KTRK News, Rodriguez has multiple previous convictions for burglary, attempted aggravated sex abuse, auto theft, and criminal trespassing. |
He was released on parole last September. | He was released on parole last September. |
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