Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Has Their Man, Thanks to Big Bear Deputy Mark Rios

A Santa Ana arson suspect with a one million dollar warrant is off the streets, due to the keen observations of Big Bear Sheriff’s Station Deputy Mark Rios. It was three weeks ago, back in November, when San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officers were alerted to be on the lookout for 36-year-old Christopher Rodriguez, wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for questioning in a murder. While on patrol in Big Bear City, Deputy Rios spotted an individual at a house on Starr Drive that resembled Rodriguez; follow-up surveillance by officers of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station indicated that it was indeed him. Rodriguez was subsequently detained on Monday and taken to the Big Bear Jail without arrest. A sergeant with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Enforcement Unit came up the mountain to pick up Rodriguez, who has since been transported to Los Angeles, where he was left in the custody of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Rios also happens to be a Big Bear High School graduate.