Fresno Leader

At 1:00 pm on Tuesday, Sanger Police detained 41-year-old Samuel Botello Rodriguez at a Jack in the Box on Jensen Ave. in Sanger. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (ViCAT) had previously shared details of their investigation with local law enforcement agencies, enabling the Sanger officer to identify Rodriguez as a wanted individual. The officer contacted Sheriff’s detectives, who arrived at the restaurant, took custody of Rodriguez, and booked him into Fresno County Jail. He faces charges of attempted murder and burglary, with bail set at $1 million.

On Sunday evening around 7:30 pm, January 19, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 8100 block of E. Belmont Ave. in Fresno, where they found a woman who had been beaten and stabbed. She was taken to the hospital for treatment and subsequently released.

The investigation determined that Samuel Rodriguez entered the home through an open garage door and an unlocked house door. Inside, he confronted a woman alone in the house and attacked her without provocation by punching and stabbing her before fleeing. The victim locked herself in a room for safety until a family member returned home shortly after, discovered her injuries, and called 911. The attack appears random as the victim does not know Rodriguez.

ViCAT detectives led the investigation and gathered evidence identifying Samuel Rodriguez as the attacker. Rodriguez is homeless with an extensive criminal history, including a prior burglary conviction. He is currently under Post-Release Community Supervision under AB-109 but was not wearing his GPS ankle monitor when apprehended.

The Sheriff's Office expressed concern over incidents like this where residents feel unsafe leaving doors open in their homes. They urge people to keep doors closed and locked to prevent potential intruders.

Anyone with additional information about Samuel Rodriguez is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org for anonymity and possible cash rewards. Reference case #25-651.