Florida Fugitive Captured In Costa Rica

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 12, 2008 --

Julio Pedro Rodriguez had fled Miami Florida after authorities focused on his real estate dealings and subsequent mortgages that resulted in a fraud that exceeds an estimated 11.5 million dollars. Cody L. Gear, a law degreed, certified fraud examiner and private investigator, who has offices in Costa Rica and Florida spotted Rodriguez in April 2007 in Pavas, a suburb of San Jose Costa Rica. "At the time, working in concert with the lead investigator, Frank Gramlich, of IDS, I was asked to confirm if Rodriguez was in Costa Rica", said Gear. Armed with information that Rodriguez was operating an exotic car dealership in Costa Rica Gear began checking the car dealerships in San Jose.

Gear said, "Rodriguez was first spotted at a dealership in Pavas. The reported sighting resulted in additional surveillance which ultimately located Rodriguez at FORMULA ONE, an upper end car dealership located in Escazu. During the surveillance I managed to stand next to Rodriguez while he used an ATM across the street from the dealership. He had no idea he was being watched". Through investigation Gear was able to determine that Rodriguez was listed as one of the owners of the dealership.

After coordinating efforts with authorities in Miami, a provisional arrest warrant was issued and Rodriguez was arrested by Interpol while walking in front of the dealership. More than 20 Interpol agents participated in the arrest. "A lot of credit needs to go to the Judicial Police of Costa Rica and Interpol in making this arrest without incident", according to Gear.

Gear also said that his investigation determined that Rodriguez had purchased property in Villa Real Santamaria, a luxury housing development located west of Escazu. The investigation also determined that Rodriguez had a house in Heredia which is a suburb of San Jose. Gear said "the source of funds used to purchase these properties has not been determined". He also said that he understands "efforts are being made to recover the ill gotten funds that were obtained during the fraud".

Cody L. Gear and Associates has investigated similar cases in both Costa Rica and Florida.
Through his experience he has come to realize that many of the scam artist that previously operated in the United States are now operating in Costa Rica. The target of most of these con artist are American citizens who come to Costa Rica to retire, invest or get married. He said it is of the "utmost importance" that prior to doing anything in Costa Rica, "know who you are dealing with".

Gear said that his office provides services and information necessary in making a decision on whether to proceed with any financial deal in Costa Rica. His Costa Rica Office is located at San Rafael de Escazu, 600 metros al sur este, de Plaza Rolex. Persons interested in retaining Mr. Gear can obtain additional contact information by visiting htp://www.codylgearandassociates.com

More information can be found online at http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/agosto/28/sucesos1679337.html http://www.codylgearandassociates.com http://www.costaricaspy.com

Costa Rica Fraud     costa rica real estate     private investigation