Sexual assault suspect due in court Thursday

Jonathan Rodriguez, suspected of breaking into a Grass Valley house and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, will appear in court at 1 p.m. Thursday to enter a plea, District Attorney Cliff Newell said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Nevada County Superior Court Judge Candace Heidelberger this week doubled Rodriguez's bail to $1 million, Newell added.

Rodriguez, 29, has been charged with kidnapping, rape, committing a lewd act with a minor and first-degree burglary, Newell said.

"The district attorney's office made a motion to raise the bail amount based on a significant public risk, given that he's got a second case pending," Newell added.

In that case, Rodriguez is suspected of driving under the influence last year in a situation involving an injury; Rodriguez was out of custody on bail of $225,000 at the time of his most recent arrest, Newell added.

Law enforcement officers used helicopters and dogs to chase down Rodriguez on June 18 after he allegedly broke into a Cedar Ridge residence and sexually assaulted a juvenile who was baby-sitting.

Dogs found Rodriguez hiding in the bathtub of another house on Cherry Street, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Officers from agencies including Nevada County Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff's Office, California State Parks, Grass Valley Police Department and California Highway patrol assisted in the manhunt.

To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.