Man wanted for violent crime nabbed in Dodge County

A dangerous gang member tied to an attempted murder case in Kansas has been captured in Dodge County.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jesus Horacio Rodriguez, 35, in Dodge Center in mid-August for a shooting that occurred earlier this year in Great Bend, Kan. At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez used a different name of Alejandro Azteca-Medina. 

Rodriguez’s true identity came to light only after an investigator from Great Bend discovered a picture on the Minnesota Department of Corrections Wanted Fugitives page that appeared to be Azteca-Medina, but with a different name. Investigators compared the pictures and tattoos and confirmed that Azteca-Medina was actually Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez had been released from prison in Minnesota in 2010 and shortly after violated his conditions prompting a warrant for his arrest. He has been taken into custody by DOC and is awaiting trial on his Minnesota violation. He will face charges and a possible trial in Great Bend after Minnesota authorities are done with him. 

The case with Rodriguez began unfolding locally in early June when Dodge County investigators received information from Mower County regarding details they had about two men who were wanted for attempted murder in Great Bend. Both men were known gang members out of California and authorities believed they may be in this area. Deputies also learned a 45-caliber handgun had been used in the shooting.

Mower County told Dodge investigators that the two men may be living in Dodge Center. 

About a week later the sheriff’s office learned one of the men had been taken into custody in Kansas, but Rodriguez was still on the run. 

Investigators received information regarding a few businesses Rodriguez may have been with specific dates and times. After checking camera surveillance systems at various locations, investigators found video of a man arriving and leaving in a red Nissan mini-van, but were unable to see the license plate on the video. 

The driver of the mini-van was identified by one of the Dodge deputies who recognized him from previous contact with other family members. With the help of dispatch, they identified the driver as the registered owner, determined the license plate number and found an address they believed was current.

Surveillance began around the residence by investigators. On Aug. 17, Mower Cojnty contacted Dodge County advising they had information indicating Rodriguez was in Dodge Center. After Dodge deputies initially searched the area without