LOS ANGELES, Calif.–A “high-risk” sex offender who was paroled earlier this month removed his GPS tracking device in South Los Angeles and is being sought by authorities.
Valentino Rodriguez was paroled Oct. 4 and was living at 5819 E. Olympic Blvd. in East Los Angeles, according to the Sheriff’s Department. On Monday, he removed the tracking device at an Arco station at Century Boulevard and Main Street in South Los Angeles, sheriff’s officials said.
He is known to frequent South Los Angeles–particularly the areas around the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th and Southeast divisions–as well as the East Los Angeles and Pasadena areas.
Rodriguez is described as a male Hispanic, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information was asked to call Detective Anthony Camargo at (323) 264-4151.
UPDATE
EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif.–A paroled sex offender who was being sought by authorities after cutting off his mandated ankle bracelet turned himself in today as a Southland television reporter and camera operator watched along with a live television audience.
Valentino Rodriguez had been paroled to East Los Angeles, Lt. Tim Carr of the sheriff’s East Los Angeles Station said.
Talking to KTLA5’s Eric Spillman, Rodriguez told Spillman that he cut off the tracking device because he “got scared,” and that he wanted to turn himself in to his parole officer in El Monte.
In an interview that went on live TV at about 8:15 a.m., Rodriguez told Spillman that since he discarded the ankle bracelet, he has been walking the streets of Los Angeles for about three days.
Rodriguez said that he had contemplated suicide before he decided that the best move would be to surrender.
“God has told me to do the right thing,” Rodriguez said as he and Spillman stood on a sidewalk in the 5800 block of East Olympic Boulevard.
About 20 minutes after Spillman began the Rodriguez interview, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and made a televised arrest.
Rodriguez went peacefully.
