Sex offender parolee captured after deadly crime spree in Texas
HOUSTON, Texas -- Authorities in Texas have captured Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, the suspect wanted in connection to three murders in the Houston area, according to deputies on the scene.
Officials say the 46-year-old Rodriguez was spotted in a dark Nissan Sentra, a vehicle that belonged to one of the murder victims, on Tuesday morning.
Rodriguez led police on a chase that started around Eldridge and Fallbrook before he was taken into custody at North Eldridge Parkway and Wortham Landing.
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A search had been underway for Rodriguez since Monday afternoon, after police identified him as the suspect in a violent crime spree around the Houston area that left two women and a man dead.
Rodriguez is a parolee who was released from prison last year.
In a joint news conference Monday evening, Houston police and the Harris County Sheriff's Office linked Rodriguez to the murder of a man at the Mattress One along the North Freeway near Crosstimbers, the murder of a female worker Saturday at the Mattress Firm near Willowbrook Mall, and the killing of a 62-year-old widow in Cypress last Friday.
Both agencies also connected Rodriguez to an armed home invasion on July 9 and the shooting and robbery of a METROLift driver earlier Monday. The driver is expected to recover.
Eyewitness News learned Rodriguez has convictions for burglary, attempted aggravated sex abuse, auto theft, and criminal trespassing, all since 1989. He is a registered sex offender.
Last September, Rodriguez made parole and was released from prison. In a startling revelation, police believe Rodriguez had cut off an ankle monitor that had been tracking his movements.
A store manager found the body of Allie Barrow between two mattresses at the Mattress Firm on FM 1960 last Saturday.
Then, last Friday, 62-year-old Pamela Johnson was found dead in her home. Authorities say the woman's vehicle was seen being driven by Rodriguez shortly after.
He was caught on surveillance video parking the car at Willowbrook Mall. He then walked into the mall and left on the other side from where he left the car.
In the murder at Mattress One, authorities say the victim, who was an employee of the store, was found dead in the back of the building. Officials say Rodriguez took that victim's vehicle from the scene.
It's the same car he was captured in Tuesday morning.
In the midst of the investigation, Mattress One released a statement, expressing sympathy for the victim's friends and family:
Mattress1One is deeply saddened and would like to offer its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of its deceased associate.
On July 16th we lost a valued team member and were very saddened by the events that transpired. We are fully cooperating with all law enforcement to quickly bring justice to this matter. Out of respect for the team member, his family and the law enforcement investigation we will refrain from commenting further at this time.
Rodriguez was considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Authorities emphasized he is now in police custody. They plan to provide more updates to the public as soon as possible.
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