Crime & Safety
Accused Serial Killer Named In Houston Crime Spree
Manhunt: Chief Art Acevedo And Sheriff Ed Gonzalez linked Jose Rodriguez, 46, to 3 murders, a home invasion and an attempted murder
Chief @artacevedo & @SheriffEd_HCSO hold media briefing on individual possibly tied to multiple murders. #hounews https://t.co/TDU428CaSo
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) July 16, 2018
HOUSTON, TX -- A string of recent high-profile crimes in the northwest Houston area have all been connected to one man.
Less than a week ago, Jose Gilberto Rodriguez was unknown to most in the Houston area, but investigators have connected Rodriguez to at least three murders, an aggravated assault, and a home invasion robbery.
"We have serious concerns that this individual will strike again," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Rodriguez, who is on parole and is a registered sex offender, was wearing an ankle monitor that he removed and began his crime spree.
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UPDATE: Manhunt Ends For Man Wanted In Mattress Store Murders
Police said this recent one-man crime wave began on July 9, with a home invasion robbery in the 12000 block of Foxborough Lane in north Harris County.
Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On July 13, police said Rodriguez broke into the home of 62-year-old Pamela Johnson at 12402 Bent Pines Drive, and killed her before taking her car, a 2004, PT Cruiser.
On Saturday, a witness called police and reported seeing the PT Cruiser at Willowbrook Mall.
That same day, investigators said Rodriguez went into the Mattress Firm store in the 7500 block of FM 1960, where he shot and killed 28-year-old Allie Barrow, and hid her body in the back of the store.
Police released video of Rodriguez on Sunday that showed him walking through Willowbrook Mall before exiting the mall.
Willowbrook Mall is across the street from the Mattress Firm store on FM 1960. On Monday, July 14, investigators said Rodriguez shot and wounded a METRO Lift driver while he was parked on Quitman Road near the Eastex Freeway.
On Monday afternoon, investigators said Rodriguez went into the Mattress One store in the 4400 block of Interstate 45, killed the employee and hid his body in the back of the store.
In each case, investigators said Rodriguez stole the cars of his victims before abandoning them.
He is believed to be driving a 2017 gray Nissan Sentra with Texas license plate KPD-2805.
Rodriguez is a 46-years-old Hispanic male.
He is 5-feet-7 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds, and is bald with brown eyes.
He has tattoos all over his body.
"He is considered armed and dangerous and the sooner we can get him into custody, the sooner we can all breathe a little bit better," Chief Art Acevedo said.
Officials said Rodriguez may have, and could still be, casing areas to rob, and advised residents to review video surveillance from their homes to report any suspicious activity to police.
Police advise anyone who sees this man to call 911, or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
RELATED STORIES:
- Sheriff Releases Video Of Man Wanted In Cypress Woman's Murder
- Mattress Firm Employee Murdered Inside Willowbrook Store
- METRO Lift Driver In Critical Condition After Shooting
- Man Found Shot To Death In Mattress One Store
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Image: HPD
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