The State of Pensylvannia shared this image of Edwin Rodriguez, a wanted fugitive charged with rape and assault. (Photo from www.pa.gov)

NORWICH – On Saturday, May 18, the Norwich Police Department and Chenango County Sheriff’s Office reported they had apprehended an alleged rapist, who is a Pennsylvania fugitive and convicted sex offender.

Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach said, the suspect was “One of Pennsylvania’s most wanted absconders.”

“I’m happy to report that through our officers’ hard work and dedication, a very bad individual was apprehended and is heading back to Pennsylvania to face his charges,” said Roach.

Police said Edwin Rodriguez, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, absconded from Pennsylvania on charges of rape by forcible compulsion and assault.

“The Norwich Police began investigating tips last week, made by members of the community, that Edwin Rodriguez had been hiding in Norwich and was planning to flee the area to an undisclosed location on May 18. The Norwich Police Department, in conjunction with the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, set up long-term surveillance, and on May 18, took Mr. Rodriguez into custody after a brief foot pursuit,” reported Roach.

NPD officers had tracked Rodriguez to a location on Prentice Street in Norwich. At about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Rodriguez exited a building and was confronted by a number of officers covertly waiting for him outside. Roach said as soon as the suspect spotted police, he tried to run but was caught.

Rodriguez was arraigned on a fugitive from justice warrant and held on no bail. He will be extraditied back to Pennsylvania to face the charges.