PRESS RELEASE UPDATE FROM WHITEWATER POLICE
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Whitewater, WI – October 16, 2023 – On Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:11 am, officers of the Whitewater Police Department took Yefferson Guzman Rodriguez into custody. Officers initially spotted Guzman Rodriguez in the 900 block of Highland St. and he immediately fled on foot. Officers pursued Guzman Rodriguez on foot and took him into custody in the 300 block of S. Prince St. Guzman Rodriguez actively resisted officers’ attempts to take him into custody, and a taser was successfully deployed ending the pursuit.
Whitewater Unified School District staff were notified immediately that the suspect was approaching the area of Lincoln Elementary. The school was placed in a “hold lock” status until officers completed a search of the path Guzman Rodriguez ran to ensure that no weapons were found in the area.
Additional investigation of the incident occurring on the night of October 15th revealed that the victim, an adult female, had been battered and strangled. It was reported that at one point the victim lost consciousness. The suspect will be confined in the Walworth County Jail, and the following charges will be forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office: Kidnapping (Wis. Stat. 940.31(1)(c)), False Imprisonment (Wis. Stat. 940.30), 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (Wis. Stat. 941.30(1)), Substantial Battery (Wis. Stat. 940.19(2)), Strangulation (Wis. Stat. 940.235), Disorderly Conduct (Wis. Stat. 947.01), and Resist/Obstruct Officer (Wis. Stat. 946.41(1)).
The Whitewater Police Department thanks those who provided tips and assisted in the investigation. It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.
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WHITEWATER — Whitewater police are urging the public to be cautious as they search for an armed man who they say held a woman he knew captive for days.
Police are looking for Yefferson Guzman Rodriguez, 18, of Whitewater, who they say is armed as has made comments about his willingness to harm law enfocement.
Whitewater Police have been in contact with staff from the Whitewater Unified School District as well as UW-Whitewater Police so that appropriate security measures can be put in place.
Whitewater Police Department leaned about the incident when they received a report about 10:30 p.m. Sunday of a female needing assistance at a home on Janesville Street in Whitewater, according to a police news release.
Officers say Guzman Rodriguez reportedly held the female, an acquaintance, against her will for multiple days, and at one point held a gun against her head.
Guzman Rodriguez is described as 5’8” tall, 150 pounds, and he is a Spanish speaker.
Authorities believe that Guzman Rodriguez fled from the residence when officers arrived.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and Beloit Police Department SWAT team responded to assist in the search of the property. The suspect was not located on the property during the search.
Whitewater Police simultaneously searched multiple residences occupied by individuals known to the suspect without locating him.
At this time Guzman Rodriguez is still at large and is considered to be armed.
If you see something suspicious, contact the Whitewater Police Department immediately at 262-473-0555 option #4. Call 911 in an emergency. Anonymous tips may be shared using P3Tips.com.