City Man Accused of Raping 8-Year-Old Captured

Bethlehem police have captured a man for allegedly sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl on several occasions late last year.

Hector M. Rodriguez, 54, of 622 Broadway, was arraigned on multiple charges – including rape of a child, today in front of . He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.

According to court papers, Rodriguez is accused of sexually abusing the girl several times from September through December at his home, attached garage on Jischki Street, his former home at 629 Itaska St. and his car.

The arrest warrant says Rodriguez was given the responsibility of supervising children at his home and would take the child from school to her home several times a week, according to the girl’s mother.

On March 11, city police put out a release asking for information leading to Rodriguez’s arrest. They believed that he was in hiding somewhere in the Lehigh Valley. Neither a news release issued today nor the court papers made mention of how Rodriguez was ultimately captured.

He is charged with two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of minors.