Suspect in 2000 Child Rape in Bristol County Captured

NEW BEDFORD, MA — A former New Bedford man charged with raping a child in 2000 was arrested Monday in South Carolina. John Rodriguez, 56, was found to be living with a family member at a residence in the city of Anderson, according to Massachusetts State Police.

"South Carolina officers conducted surveillance of multiple addresses throughout the past weekend and into Monday," state police said in a statement. "On Monday morning, officers observed a man matching Rodriguez’s description leave a residence and walk to a neighbor’s house. The South Carolina officers approached him ... and placed him under arrest without incident as a fugitive from justice."

Police said the rape happened in August 2000 in Bristol County. The victim was under the age of 14 at the time, police said. Rodriguez was charged with rape, indecent assault, and assault with intent to rape a child. He's being held in custody in South Carolina pending extradition to Massachusetts.

The FBI helped track down Rodriguez, police said.

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