Sex offender arrested in L.B. after police say he followed a minor home

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Long Beach Police have arrested Jose A. Rodriguez, 48, on Nov. 5 after officials say he followed a minor from a school bus stop to the minor’s home and attempted to make contact.

Police say, Rodriguez, who is currently homeless, followed the minor home and repeatedly tried to engage in conversation, intimidate and pressure the minor. They added that he attempted to make contact several times.

Long Beach Det. Thomas Rourke made the arrest 15 minutes after Rodriguez was identified, Det. Lt. Stefan Chernaski, commanding officer of the LBPD’s Detective Division, said in a statement.

“When the initial report came in, we immediately recognized the modus operandi and description of the subject,” Chernaski said. “The swift identification and apprehension of this undomiciled defendant is a testament to local policing and our extensive knowledge of this community and its history.”

Rodriguez, a registered level 3 sex offender, was previously convicted in 1992 of first-degree rape for kidnapping and raping a female at knifepoint. Rodriguez has also been arrested by LBPD twice in 2004 for endangering the welfare of a child and stalking, in which he was convicted.

He was arraigned in Long Beach City Court on Nov. 6 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Rodriguez was remanded to the custody of the Nassau County Sheriff by City Court Judge Corey Klein.