[UPDATE] According to police, Peter Rodriguez has been apprehended in Connecticut by the Regional Fugitive Task Force.
They came to demand “Justice for George.”
On Sunday, November 13, over 100 members of the community, many wearing “Justice for George” T-shirts, gathered at 69th Street and Grand Avenue in Maspeth — just blocks from Gibbons’ Home bar — to lend support in finding Peter Rodriguez, the alleged fugitive hit-and-run driver that killed George Gibbons.
“We must come together, not only as a community, but as a city, to find this fugitive, to bring him to justice and to give a little bit of peace to the Gibbons family,” said Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley.
Gibbons was killed on the morning of October 15 when the livery cab he was traveling in was struck by a Chrysler Sebring, allegedly driven by Rodriguez, traveling the wrong way on the eastbound side of the L.I.E. service road.
Gibbons was taken to Elmhurst General Hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival, police said.
Now, a month after the accident, Rodriguez is still on the run and has been seen recently in the area. “He’s been spotted reportedly after he committed this crime,” Crowley said. “We need the people of the city of New York to help us help the police find this person.”
Crowley mentioned reported sightings on Metropolitan Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard and in Middle Village and the Bushwick area.
“We not only want your help, we need your help,” said Bernadette Gibbons, George’s sister.
She called the support from the community amazing.
“I don’t even have words to express the gratitude I have towards our friends and family in the community. We’re just so grateful. We expect nothing less for George.”
Earlier this month a $10,000 reward was announced for a tip that leads to Rodriguez’s arrest, and on Sunday, November 13, thousands of wanted flyers with the suspect’s picture were printed and distributed to canvass the area.
“It’s clear how much support the Gibbons family has. Our community has been hurt so much by the loss of somebody’s who contributed so much to Maspeth,” Crowley said of Gerorge, who she added was loved and adored by so many.
“We’ll all stay ever-vigilant until we find Peter Rodriguez,” Crowley said. “And Peter we’re going to find you. You might as well come and turn yourself in and finally do the right thing for once.”
