Police Arrest 'Possible Serial Killer,' Who They Say Cut Off His Ankle Monitor Before Texas Killing Spree
Jose Gilberto Rodriguez is accused of five violent attacks, including two separate murders at two separate mattress stores, police say.
A massive manhunt ended Tuesday morning after police captured a registered sex offender and "possible serial killer" who cut off his ankle monitor before he kicked off his alleged crime spree.
Police believe that Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, 46, may have killed at least three people in the last week alone around Houston, Texas, according to KTRK in Houston. They called him a "possible serial killer" at a press conference held Monday night.
During the manhunt, police urged the public to be cautious and observant. By Tuesday morning, police announced that they cuffed Rodriguez after a brief vehicle pursuit.
Police believe that Rodriguez is behind five recent attacks in the area, the first being a home-invasion robbery on July 9 where the victim survived. Then, on July 13, Pamela Johnson, 62, was found shot to death inside her home, according to the Houston Patch. Her 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser was stolen and found abandoned the next day at a nearby mall. While reviewing surveillance footage of the mall, police said they spotted Rodriguez park the car and flee.
On Saturday, Allie Barrow, a 28-year-old employee of a Houston Mattress Firm was found dead and stuffed between two mattresses by her manager at the store, according to the Houston Chronicle. Then, on Monday, there was another fatal shooting at another area mattress store. Employee Edward Magana, a 57-year-old father of four, was found dead at Mattress One, Click 2 Houston reported. Police think Rodriguez stole a Nissan Sentra from that crime scene.
Rodriguez is also being accused of robbing and shooting a 22-year-old bus driver in the abdomen on Monday. The driver is expected to recover.
Last September, Rodriguez was released from prison on parole. Before last week’s crime spree, police believe he cut off his assigned ankle bracelet. He has a lengthy rap sheet, dating back to 1989. He’s been convicted of burglary, attempted aggravated sex abuse, auto theft, and criminal trespassing. And, he’s a registered sex offender. He attempted to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl in 1989, according to the sex offender registry.
[Photo: Houston Police Department]