Police nab suspect in Middletown standoff

MIDDLETOWN – The State Police Violent Felony Warrant Squad early Thursday morning arrested Jose Rodriguez in Brooklyn. He’s the man who allegedly held police at bay in a Wawayanda Avenue house in the City of Middletown a week ago.

He allegedly attacked a woman while inside the house and has therefore been charged with first-degree rape, second-degree assault, criminal sexual act in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Rodriguez was tracked to 1145 E. 105th Street in Brooklyn by Middletown Police who assisted the State Police in arresting him.

Police Chief Matthew Byrne said the community is relieved that Rodriguez is in custody.

“This incident involved a rape and violent assault. It also led to a tactical scenario that inconvenienced and alarmed many people,” he said. “Due to this individual’s actions, a lot of the public and institutions, school children were inconvenienced, annoyed and alarmed,” said Middletown Police Chief Matthew Byrne, who said he is glad Rodriguez is off the streets.

He is being held in the Orange County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond.