For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – This afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Cleveland Police Department arrested Jonathan Rodriguez, age 23, after he attempted to flee in a vehicle. Rodriguez was wanted by the Cleveland Police Department for rape and by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office for failing to register his change of address and violating his probation. It is alleged that Rodriguez and his father, who is already in custody, brutally raped a female in November of last year.

Members of the U. S. Marshals Task Force tracked Rodriguez to a location on the west side of Cleveland and identified him in a van driving down the road. When task force members attempted to stop Rodriguez he refused and instead accelerated in an attempt to evade capture. Rodriguez jumped the curb and lost control of the vehicle slamming into a telephone pole. Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers converged on the vehicle and apprehended Rodriguez after a short foot pursuit.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This suspect was wanted for a violent and brutal crime and we are glad to bring him to face justice. We are thankful that he hurt no other innocent citizens in his desperate act to avoid capture.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Bratenahl Police Department, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chagrin Falls Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Village Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service and the Westlake Police Department.

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For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov