Cleveland, OH: Scorned: Man locked up, accused of killing ex-girlfriend and her step-son

Posted: Oct 22, 2010 1:24 PM EDT
Updated: Oct 23, 2010 10:10 AM EDT
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CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - Police are investigating after two people were shot to death in broad daylight, one in a Cleveland parking lot.

Police say it happened around 1:15 p.m. at W. 79th and Denison Avenue at Park Ohio Products.

According to police 50-year old Pedro Rodriguez shot and killed Graciela Morales Santiago and her step-son Eduardo Pupo, both 49-years old.

Cops say Rodriguez first shot Santiago, as she sat in her SUV in the company parking lot. He then stole her work badge off her dying body to gain entrance into the company.

Once inside Ohio Products, the lunatic shot and killed Pupo also 49-years old, while he was working. Witnesses say they heard about five shots.

"I can't believe this happened at a business. I don't know how he got in there, we got plenty high security. I don't know how that could happen."

Cops say after the shooting Rodriguez fled in a car leading them on a chase.

Officers caught up with him minutes later at Denison and W. 35th. They had to taze him to bring him in.

He is currently in police custody. Rodriguez is reportedly an ex-boyfriend of Graciela and her neice says he had recently been stalking her.

"He was a boyfriend a long time ago she didn't want to go with him no more so he tried to follow her."

Santiago's friends and loved ones complain the justice system didn't do enough to protect her.

"The police did nothing so now it lead up to this point again. The system always fails to do it's job."

Police say Graciela filed a complaint for menacing by stalking in July. A few days later she decided not to prosecute. A detective says he still called Rodriguez and warned him. Police say he apologized and said he'd stop calling.

Park Ohio Products, where both victims worked, manufactures custom molded products and services.

The suspect, also a former employee of Park Ohio Products, told police that he believed Graciela had been cheating on him.

19 Action News contacted the company but so far, they are not commenting.