Local Heroes Honored for Capturing Sexual Predator

"Local Heroes Honored for Capturing Sexual Predator"
 
Los Angeles: On Friday, October 12, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes and Commander Garrett Zimmon, Commanding Officer of Detective Services Group, will honor the following persons for their heroic involvement in the apprehension of Eduardo Rodriguez, a sexual assault suspect.

Los Angeles City Firefighters:
Paul David Cajiao
Scott Tomlin

Community Members:
Helen Molenar
Laura Inman
Christopher Valverde
Esperanza Valverde
Cory Gomez
The awards will be presented in the Los Angeles City Council Chambers.
On September 3, 2001, at approximately 5:20 p.m., a ninety-year old female victim was standing in her patio on the 500 block of Quail Drive when she was approached by Rodriguez. Rodriguez forced the victim inside of her residence and demanded jewelry and money. While inside, Rodriguez physically and sexually assaulted the elderly victim. During the assault, the victim was able to activate her emergency medical alert button that hung from her neck.
When the Los Angeles Fire Department received the medical alert activation, their dispatcher attempted to telephonically contact the victim. The victim’s line was busy and the dispatcher contacted a neighbor who proceeded to the victim’s residence to check on the victim. The neighbor could hear the victim crying for help and also observed Rodriguez assaulting the victim. When the neighbor yelled at Rodriguez to stop, he ran from the location as the paramedics arrived. Paramedic/Firefighter Paul Cajiao chased Rodriguez and, with the assistance of two community members, was able to detain Rodriguez until police arrived.
The victim was treated for multiple injuries including a fractured left arm.
Rodriguez is 32 years of age and a resident of Los Angeles. Rodriguez was charged with multiple felony counts by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The cooperative efforts of some Northeast Area community members, Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, Northeast Area patrol officers and detectives, and Robbery-Homicide Division detectives led to the successful investigation and apprehension of a very dangerous sexual predator.
For further information contact Detective Moses Castillo, Robbery-Homicide Division, at 213-763-5056, or Councilman Ed Reyes’ Office at 213-485-3451.
This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.