A couple was going through a divorce. When the wife accused the husband of rape, he went underground. Police finally found him at the scene of his wife’s murder, covered with blood.
That’s according to a Thursday press release from the police department, which sheds new light on a Valentine’s Day stabbing homicide earlier this week.
The murder happened at 8:10 p.m. on Monday, police said. Officers responded to a domestic dispute at 113 Auburn St. and found a man and a woman who were both suffering from multiple stab wounds. The woman died. The man is still in the hospital.
Police Thursday announced that the murder victim was 29-year-old Jocelyn Rodriguez.
Her husband, a 34-year-old man, is the man in the hospital, according to a release from police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. He’s under police guard as he’s wanted on an arrest warrant for sexual assault in the first degree, Avery said. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Here’s what led up to the murder, according to Avery’s release:
Rodriguez and her husband had a history of domestic violence. They had two young children and were in the middle of a divorce when the murder happened.
In December 2010, Rodriguez told police that her husband had raped her. She left 113 Auburn St. and “joined her family at an undisclosed location.” Police issued an arrest warrant for the husband but were unable to find him. The man “became transient and began to use many different aliases, which made locating him very difficult.”
While detectives continue to investigate, the husband is the only suspect right now.
In other police news, according to Avery:
At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, a pedestrian was struck by a car at 519 East St., between Humphrey and State. The 54-year-old victim was listed in “modified trauma.” Police arrested the driver at a nearby residence.
Fleeing from state cops, a man crashed his car into another car at 12:09 a.m. on Thursday. The pursuit started on I‑95 and ended with the crash at Forbes and Fulton avenues. The fleeing driver and the driver he hit were injured.
Description Of Serial Rapist
Police Thursday released an updated description of a man sought in connection with a string of sexual assaults in Newhallville:
“The suspect is generally described as a black male, light to medium complexion, 5’7”-5’10” tall, medium build and approximately 170 – 200 pounds. He is believed to be in his early 20’s. In the last assault, he was seen wearing an olive green puffy winter coat, possibly having fur on the hood, and blue jeans.
“Anyone with information in these cases is encouraged to call the New Haven Police Department’s tip line at 203 – 946-6296. All information is appreciated.”
Tito Gets 5 Years
The Connecticut U.S. Attorney announced Thursday that Jermaine Diggs, also known as “Tito” and “Main” was sentenced to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release for selling firearms and body armor.
Diggs pleaded guilty in November 2010 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He admitted that he sold a .45-caliber semi automatic pistol to a man working with police in April 2010. He also admitted selling a gun in January 2010 and selling a bulletproof vest in February 2010.
Crime Map
Click here for a list of major crimes for Feb. 16. Click on the image below to see those incidents placed on a citywide map.
NHPD
For block-by-block year-to-date crime information, plus daily crime maps, check out the Independent’s Crime Log.
