COHOES N.Y. (NEWS10) — Today is the fourth day of the investigation into the murder of 41-year-old Amanda Rodriguez. The manhunt for suspect Anthony Bechand continues in the North Country. Officials say this is a confirmed domestic case, and Bechand may be armed and dangerous.
“Our hearts break for the family,” said Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler. “This is horrible for them. So they’re certainly in our thoughts and prayers and we’re doing our best to bring this boyfriend to justice.”
We spoke with former co-workers of Rodriguez who could not go on camera, but described her to be a wonderful, warm, and loving person who did not deserve what happened to her.
As the search continues to locate the suspect, an employee at a local store in Brighton told us the police presence is moving. Chief Todd Waldin said that’s to be expected given the nature of the investigation.
“The longer it goes on, the more you have to expand, you know, just a little bit outward from where the truck was located,” Waldin explained. “Every hour that goes by is a potential time frame that he has gone further and further away.”
Waldin explained that both Cohoes police and Franklin County law enforcement are working together to cover both locations.
“There’s obviously a lot of different avenues to explore,” Waldin noted. “It is broken up into basically two areas, one being the city of Cohoes, where the crime took place, and then where his truck was located in the northern area of New York.”
Waldin says they’re working diligently with state police, U.S. Border and Customs, and the forest rangers who are still tracking through that area. They’ve utilized police canines, drones, helicopters and more to try and find answers. At this time they have no record of cell phone or credit card usage, and are relying on help from the public to aid in their search.
“It’s thankfully received a lot of media attention, which is a positive, because the more people that know, the better chances that if he’s out there, and somebody comes across him, they’ll recognize it,” Waldin added.
State Police have described Bechand as a white male with hazel eyes and brown hair. He reportedly weighs about 180 pounds and stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall. Waldin says above all else, people need to remain vigilant and safe.
“Whatever you do, don’t put yourself in any kind of danger, don’t approach,” Waldin asserted. “If you do suspect something or you see somebody who you think might be him, you don’t have to be 100% certain. Let law enforcement go and check that out. Don’t put yourself in any kind of a situation where you could potentially be in harm’s way.”
Anyone with information on Bechand is urged to report it to the New York State Police at 518-897-2000.
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