For Immediate Release

Lorain, OH - This afternoon, Leonardo “Joker” Rodriguez, 36 years of age, was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. Within the last month, leads were developed that identified that Rodriguez was in Puerto Rico and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force requested assistance from the Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force.

For the past two days, Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers from Puerto Rico set up surveillance on an address in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. Late this afternoon, the Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers persistence paid off when Rodriguez pulled into the driveway. When the investigators attempted to approach Rodriguez surreptitiously as he was getting out of the car, he spotted the officers and hopped back into his vehicle quickly. Rodriguez frantically started the car, backed up slightly and then drove his vehicle around the house at a high rate of speed and attempted to drive up a hill that was located in the backyard. The Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers continued the pursuit on foot. Rodriguez’s car got stuck as he tried to clear the hill and again attempted to flee, this time, on foot. Members of the Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force quickly overwhelmed Rodriguez and he was taken into custody.

Leonardo Rodriguez was wanted for Aggravated Robbery by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Dangerous Drugs by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and for Escape by the Adult Parole Authority.

Rodriguez’s was allegedly involved in a home invasion with several other associates on April 12, 2007. Armed with weapons, Rodriguez and several associates raided 856 Livermore Lane in Elyria with “Police” markings glaring on their chest and back. During this violent ordeal the victims were bound with tape and assaulted physically. Two vehicles and a large amount of currency were taken.

“This case has been a priority for our Lorain County Division since day 1 in August of 2007 and due to the persistence of its officers, another violent fugitive is off the streets,” said Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Andrew Deserto.

If you have any information in reference to any wanted fugitive, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Lorain County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Amherst Police Department, Avon Police Department, Avon Lake Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Elyria Police Department, Lorain County Adult Probation, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain Police Department, North Ridgeville Police Department, Oberlin Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Sheffield Village Police Department and Vermilion Police Department.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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