Houston Police Department

July 20, 2005 -- The actions of a Houston Police Juvenile Division investigator are being credited in the arrest and charges filed against a suspect wanted in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy on June 4.

The suspect, identified as Jose Miguel Rodriguez (H/m, DOB 2-12-71), is in custody and has confessed to his role in the crime. Rodriguez is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child in the 338th State District Court and is being held without bond.

Click here for photo of suspect.
Click here for photo of van.

HPD Juvenile Division Lieutenant W.C. Staney of the Sex Crimes Unit reported:

While off duty and in her personal vehicle with her husband and children on Monday (July 18), Officer Heidi Ruiz of the Sex Crimes Unit saw a customized white van driving on Sabo Road at Fuqua. Officer Ruiz further observed that the driver matched surveillance photos of the suspect wanted in the June 4 incident. Following at a safe distance, Officer Ruiz called Lt. Staney with the vehicle information. The information was relayed to a dispatcher who coordinated a response with HPD helicopter and patrol officers. Patrol units conducted a felony traffic stop about 6 p.m. in the 5200 block of Canal and arrested the driver of the van. The van was towed to HPD custody and the suspect's wife and children were transported to the Juvenile Sex Crimes office as material witnesses. Once there, investigators obtained a statement from the suspect's wife in which she implicated her husband in the June 4 incident
and led investigators to recover a bracelet taken from the victim in this case. The suspect confessed and investigators are now trying to determine if he has been involved in other offenses.

The boy and his eight-year-old cousin were leaving the Dollar General Store about 3:25 p.m. when they met the suspect in the parking lot. The suspect told the boys he could not speak English and needed someone to order food for him at the McDonald's restaurant across the street at 8320 Broadway. The children agreed to go with the suspect and got into his van. The suspect gave the younger boy money and sent him into the restaurant to order the food. He then drove away with the 12-year-old in his vehicle. The suspect drove to a secluded area, had the victim disrobe, and then forcibly sexually assaulted him. After the assault, the suspect dropped off the victim at a restaurant on Monroe at the Gulf Freeway. The victim then started walking and got a ride back to his home from a Good Samaritan. The younger boy, after discovering the van and his cousin missing from the parking lot, walked home and told his parents what had happened. The parents called police. On June 8,
investigators released surveillance photos of the suspect and wanted van.

Anyone who might have been victimized by suspect Jose Miguel Rodriguez is urged to contact the HPD Juvenile Division at 713-731-5335.

Update JFC/WCS 7-20-05
Inc #085986605

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.