SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD CAR THIEF FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER AFTER FATALLY RUNNING OVER VICTIM AT GAS STATION

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that, on May 3–4, 2023, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office successfully prosecuted Mateo Reymundo Rodriguez for running over a victim—killing her—and fleeing the premises while stealing a vehicle at a Conoco gas station.

On April 3, 2022, then 16-year-old Rodriguez entered a parked but still running white Honda Civic with the intent to steal it. Upon reversing, Rodriguez struck another parked car with the victim in the driver’s seat. The victim exited the car and ran to the front of the Honda Civic. Rodriguez callously accelerated forward, resulting in the victim falling underneath the Honda Civic and being run over while Rodriguez sped away. The victim passed away due to her injuries.

Surveillance video showed the crime and a man that was wearing the same clothes later found on Rodriguez and at his residence. While in jail, Rodriguez communicated that if the victim wanted to play a superwoman, then she was gonna get hurt.

The jury found the now 17-year-old defendant guilty of felony murder; involuntary manslaughter; robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony; leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury, a Level 4 felony; failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death, a Level 4 felony; and auto theft of an entire vehicle, a Level 6 felony.

“The Defendant’s thoughtless actions at the age of 16 have taken the life of a completely innocent victim and have ruined his own life in turn. A convicted murderer at the age of 17, he will now spend the majority of his life behind bars. We are prepared to ask for an appropriate sentence that shows no mercy at sentencing since we believe his statements since the crime show a complete lack of remorse for his actions. Vanderburgh County will be safer without him on our streets” said Moers.

Prosecutor Moers thanked her deputy, Heath Tuley, and Evansville Police Department Detective Michael Beitler for their hard work and dedication to this case. Moers also sends condolences to the victims’ family and friends and thanks victim advocate Robyn Mastison for her efforts in guiding the family through the legal process.

Sentencing is set for May 26, 2023 in front of Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court.

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