third Suspect Wished In Morgan Hill Handyman Hostage Case

SANTA CLARA (CBS/AP) — Authorities in Santa Clara County have identified a third suspect accused of beating a Morgan Hill repairman who was allegedly forced to repair a dishwasher and other appliances at risk to his life.
Sheriff's Sgt. Jose Cardoza said Wednesday that 49-year-old Richard Rodriguez Jr. is wanted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment for beating the 50-year-old handyman, holding him hostage and forcing him to make various household repairs a home in Morgan Hill on Dec. 3.
The repairman escaped and notified police after being driven to a supermarket in San Jose.
Police later arrested 36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson, both of Morgan Hill, on similar criminal charges as well as kidnapping.
“The victim was pretty scared. He was pretty shaken up and scared by the whole incident,” Cardoza said after the incident. “What he told investigators is that he was just trying to do what he was told, which was to wait for the opportunity to escape.”
The attack followed a months-long dispute between the handyman and a relative of DeJesus over payment for previous work.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)