Fugitive on ‘America’s Most Wanted’ nabbed in Coney Island
In the aftermath of the homicide, Rodriguez was profiled on The Long Island Fugitive Finder
BY JOHN VALENTI September 6, 2007
A fugitive from Rockville Centre, profiled in June on “America’s Most Wanted,” was captured late Wednesday night in Coney Island and arrested for his role in the October shotgun murder in Hempstead.
Ronald “Shorty” Rodriguez, 28, of 305 Langdon Blvd., Rockville Centre, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. by Nassau County Police Department Homicide detectives with the assistance of officers from the New York Police Department.
Police would not say early Thursday morning how they learned Rodriguez was in Coney Island — or what led them to the arrest. Rodriguez was charged with second-degree murder. He also was charged with first-degree sexual assault, the result of an outstanding warrant, police said
He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead.
Police had been searching for Rodriguez in connection with the shotgun death of Bilah McGraw, 27, of 1140 Front St., Uniondale, who was found dead in an alleyway next to 105 Terrace Ave. in Hempstead on Oct. 3.
In the aftermath of the homicide, Rodriguez was profiled on The Long Island Fugitive Finder and then was profiled in an “America’s Most Wanted” titled “What It’s Like to Know An Alleged Murderer” on June 17. According to the AMW Web site, the estranged wife of Rodriguez said the couple had “a rocky relationship” — and that police had to remove him from their home “several times.”