Houston authorities arrested a suspected serial killer Tuesday after a recent crime spree that has left three dead at a home and two local mattress stores.
Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, 46, was taken into custody Tuesday after being spotted in a dark Nissan Sentra that belonged to a murder victim, KTRK-TV reported.
Rodriguez is accused of fatally shooting three people during the reported one-man crime wave where he also has been connected with numerous robberies, the Houston Chronicle said. Authorities said that Rodriguez is also a registered sex offender and may be driving a gray Nissan Sentra, according to the Chronicle.
According to KHOU-TV, the incidents allegedly involving Rodriguez started July 9 during a home invasion in north Harris County in the 12000 block of Foxborough, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, said.
On Friday, Pamela Johnson was found dead inside of her home in Cypress, Texas, after her brother asked deputies to check on her when she did not return phone calls, KHOU-TV said. Her vehicle was found the next day at Willowbrook Mall.
Surveillance cameras show a man believed to be Rodriguez enter the mall and exit the other side, KHOU-TV said.
Allie Barrow, 28 an employee at Mattress Firm, near Willowbrook Mall was found dead by the store manager on Saturday, KHOU-TV said.
"We're deeply saddened to learn that one of our team members was found deceased at a store in Houston," Mattress Firm CEO Steve Stagner said in a statement, according to the Chronicle. "We send our sincere condolences to this team member's family, friends and loved ones."
Early Monday, a Metro Lift driver was shot during a robbery at a gas station near Eastex Freeway, but survived and was rushed to a local hospital per KHOU-TV. A few hours later an employee was reportedly shot and killed at Mattress One, off Interstate 45, authorities told the television station.
"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," according to the Mattress One statement, the Chronicle said. "Out of respect for the team member, his family and the law enforcement investigation we will refrain from commenting further at this time."
On Monday, Acevedo sent a strong message to Rodriguez during a news conference, according to KPRC-TV.
"If he's hearing my voice, we're coming for you," Acevedo said, per KPRC-TV. "Best thing he can do is turn himself in before he gets himself hurt or anybody else. We are in the state of Texas as you all know, (people have) got a lot of CHLs (concealed handgun licenses).
"We believe this individual has actually cased neighborhoods, knocked on doors pretending that he’s looking for somebody. If you had somebody who looked like this guy who knocked on your door, call us. We are there 24/7. You can be anonymous," Acevedo continued.
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