Steps to stop aggressive violent stalkers
Reporter: Valerie Cavazos
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - What do you if a violent aggressive person is stalking you? It's a scary situation -- especially if the stalker knows you and your every move.
A woman's car bursts into flames. She told police her estranged husband 30-year old Fernando Rodriguez did it. And during the investigation. detectives found evidence that he had been stalking her -- online. TPD's Sgt. Chris Widmer said, "through text messages and what was sent to her through text messages were Youtube portraying some type of violence."
Detectives also discovered that Rodriguez also used the GPS on her phone to follow her -- all around the city. "And she had taken steps to avoid this. One she had her phone number changed and second she got a restraining order him to keep him away from her," said Widmer.
The woman documented Rodriguez's moves -- and as a result -- he's now behind bars. Sgt. Widmer said it's vital that women, who fear for their lives, come forward -- more often.
"Some of the evidence we found was not previously reported. It was stuff we discovered that night we followed up on," said Sgt. Widmer, "What we want people to call 9-1-1. Make a report. Have it documented in case something like this continues -- stalking or other domestic violence violations."
To help avoid this: In August of 2012, an estranged husband lay in wait, then abushed and killed his wife Maria Caroline Coleman. Police say he had stalked Coleman. And in February of 2012, Claudia Pascual is killed after she got a restraining order against her boyfriend. Pascal told friends he kept coming back.
"Often times (an order of protection) triggers a response from the person they're getting it against," said Stephanie Noriega, Asst. Program Director of Emerge!, a Center Against Domestic Abuse.
She says these aggressive men use technology to stalk women, but it also leaves a legal digital footprint that can lead to an arrest.
"Absolutely, we can encourage all the time to come forward to report it. So someone knows this order has been violated," said Noriega.
Noriega said that the center provides women with safety plans to deal with every type of domestic violence scenario. For more information about Emerge!, click here.
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