South End Rape Suspect Held On High Bail

BOSTON (CBS) – The suspect in a violent South End sexual assault hid his face in court at his arraignment Wednesday as he was ordered held on $500,000 bail.

Eduardo Rodriguez, 31, who was out on probation following jail time for a 2008 sexual assault, is accused of raping a woman early Monday morning.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez was captured on a surveillance camera with his accuser and on the bicycle he was riding when he approached her.

After he sexually assaulted the woman, prosecutors say Rodriguez cut off his GPS bracelet, which he was supposed to be wearing for his 2008 conviction.

According to court documents, the accuser left work around 12:30 a.m. Monday and was planning to meet friends at a nearby hotel.

Rodriguez allegedly approached her about 10 minutes later and said "I have a knife and will put it to your neck. Follow me."

Police say Rodriguez sexually assaulted the woman in Carter Playground, took $250 from her wallet and left.

He was arrested Tuesday, though police said the search for Rodriguez was slowed because of his missing GPS bracelet.

Rodriguez is charged with aggravated rape, indecent assault and battery, armed robbery, intimidation of a witness, and aggravated kidnapping. He is next scheduled to appear in court on September 23.

His girlfriend, who said she is two months pregnant with Rodriguez's child, was emotional in court. She told reporters her tears were not for Rodriguez, but for the woman he allegedly attacked.

"I feel hurt and pain in my heart. No woman deserves to go through that," the woman said.