3 hunted in home invasion and rape

Friday, July 25, 2008
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By ELIZABETH RICHARDSON erichardson@newnan.com Three suspects are being sought in what authorities are describing as a home invasion armed robbery in which a 15-year-old female was raped. The incident took place Thursday afternoon at a residence in the Beverly Park neighborhood, south of Newnan off Millard Farmer Road.

Just before 1 p.m., Israel Salis Rodriguez, 26, was at the residence along with a 15-year-old and two children when three Hispanic males entered through the basement door wearing gloves and sunglasses, according to the Coweta Sheriff's Office incident report. Rodriguez told investigators he was surprised by two of the men when they came up from the basement stairs. The intruders demanded money, and Rodriguez attempted to fight them off. The intruders jumped him, tied him up with extension cords and began punching him and burning his right leg with a lighter, according to sheriff's office Major James Yarbrough. The 15-year-old told officers that when the intruders entered the home, she was in her room with the two children. When two of the intruders made their way upstairs, the third intruder -- who was armed with a knife and a handgun -- remained in the basement with the three juveniles. The attacker reportedly put the gun to the female's head and raped her, according to investigators. The two children were unharmed. After a few minutes, the two males returned from upstairs. All three suspects exited through the basement and fled in a vehicle described as a gray, newer model, four-door Chevrolet HHR, said sheriff's Investigator Stan Roughton. According to Roughton, Rodriguez was able to free himself from the extension cords and pursue the attackers to the intersection of Pine Road and U.S. 29 South where they managed to get away. Rodriguez was unable to get the license plate number before losing sight of them. The only items taken in the home invasion were four cell phones and a projector valued at $600, according to the incident report. The entire ordeal lasted approximately 30 minutes, said Roughton. "We're trying to determine why they targeted this family," said Yarbrough. A rape kit was performed at Piedmont Newnan Hospital on the alleged victim, and that kit has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for analysis, according to the major. Investigators were grateful for assistance from Officer Joey Castro of the Newnan Police Department, who acted as an interpreter with the victims. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call 770-253-1502.

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