January 22, 2025 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, an officer with Sanger Police detained 41-year-old Samuel Botello Rodriguez (pictured) at the Jack in the Box located on Jensen Ave. in Sanger. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (ViCAT) had previously shared information of their investigation with other local law enforcement agencies, which allowed the Sanger officer to recognize Rodriguez as a wanted person. The officer contacted Sheriff’s detectives, who responded to the restaurant, took custody of Rodriguez and booked him into the Fresno County Jail. He faces charges of attempted murder and burglary. His bail is set at $1 million.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 8100 block of E. Belmont Ave. in Fresno. There they found a woman who had been beaten and stabbed. She was transported to the hospital, treated and released.

The investigation revealed a man, later identified as Samuel Rodriguez, entered the home through an open garage door and unlocked door to the house. Once inside, he confronted a woman who was home alone. Without any provocation, Rodriguez attacked the woman. He punched her multiple times and stabbed her before fleeing the house. She then locked herself in a room for safety. A family member came home a short time later, discovered the injured woman and dialed 911. This appears to be a random attack as the victim does not know Rodriguez.

ViCAT detectives took over the investigation and developed evidence that identified Samuel Rodriguez as the attacker. He is a homeless man who has an extensive criminal history. Rodriguez has a prior conviction for burglary and is currently on Post-Release Community Supervision, which is part of AB-109. He was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor, but he was not wearing it at the time of his apprehension.

It is frustrating to see a case like this where a person cannot even leave a door open in their own home. With that said, the Sheriff’s Office encourages you to try and remember to keep doors closed and locked to prevent a potential intruder from coming inside and committing a crime like this one.

If you have additional information about Samuel Rodriguez, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111. You may also contact Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #25-651.

Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office