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3rd Suspect Wanted In Morgan Hill Handyman Hostage Case

SANTA CLARA (CBS/AP) - Authorities in Santa Clara County have identified a third suspect accused of beating a Morgan Hill handyman allegedly forced to fix a dishwasher and other appliances under the threat of his life.

Sheriff's Sgt. Jose Cardoza said Wednesday that 49-year-old Richard Rodriguez, Jr., is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment in the beating of the 50-year-old handyman held hostage and forced to do a variety of household repairs at a home in Morgan Hill on Dec. 3.

Jason DeJesus, Chanelle Troedson
36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson are accused of holding a handyman hostage inside their Morgan Hill home on December 3, 2012. (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office)

The handyman escaped and notified police after he was driven to a convenience store in San Jose.

Police later arrested 36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson, both of Morgan Hill, on similar criminal charges as well as kidnapping.

"The victim was pretty terrified. He was pretty shaken up and scared by this whole incident," Cardoza said following the incident. "What he did tell investigators is that he was just trying to do what he was being told, wait for the opportunity to escape."

The attack followed a months-long dispute between the handyman and a relative of DeJesus' over payment for previous work.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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