Two people from Dallas County were arrested and face multiple charges after allegedly kidnapping, beating, and shooting a woman in the early hours of Sunday.
McLennan County deputies responded to reports of a shooting made by the victim in the 8100 block of Old Dallas shortly before 2 a.m., a media release from the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office said.
The woman had been shot multiple time to the hand, arm, and stomach. She was, however, able to call 911 and eventually give testimony about her assault.
The suspects, both 21 years old, were identified as the victim’s former boyfriend, Edwin Adan Rodriguez, and his current girlfriend, Veronica Sanchez. Both were taken into custody on Sunday in Lancaster by multiple law enforcement agencies. The operation included assistance from the U.S. Marshals, as spokesperson Christopher McCarty confirmed to The Dallas Express. Â
The two suspects have been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The victim told detectives that Rodriguez came to her home in Plano and convinced her to join him outside in his pickup truck. She reported that Sanchez, who had been hiding, then entered the vehicle.
Rodriguez drove the victim north on I-35, according to a media release from the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office. During this time, the victim reportedly attempted to exit the vehicle and was kept there forcibly until the driver pulled onto a secluded road.Â
Dumping the victim out of the vehicle, police say Rodriguez struck her physically and fired multiple rounds at her. She fell into a drainage ditch, and the male suspect allegedly continued to fire and wounded her.
After the victim ran away and hid in the woods, Rodriguez and Sanchez allegedly drove away with the victim’s phone. The victim was able to walk to a nearby home for help, the media release states.
She was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Hillcrest for treatment.
Rodriguez and Sanchez are being held at McLennan County Jail. Their bonds are set at $2 million each, according to the media release.
Dallas County, where both suspects are from, has seen a surge in violent crime this year. According to data from the Dallas Police Department, aggravated assaults are up 17%, and murder/non-negligent manslaughter has spiked by 8%.
Violent crime has also contributed to the naming of City Councilmember Jaime Resendez as The Dallas Express’ Crime Boss for January. The Crime Score of Resendez’s District 5 jumped by 18.32% year-over-year for January, driven most notably by a 53% year-over-year increase in registered assaults.
The Dallas Express contacted the U.S. Marshals in the Northern District of Texas for more information on the arrests of Rodriguez and Sanchez.
“These two were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Northern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas task forces in a joint effort. The Lancaster Police Department also assisted,” said McCarty.
The Dallas Express also reached out to the Lancaster Police Department and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office for comment beyond the latter’s media release, but none was received by press time.
