Convicted Rapist On The Run Found Hiding Under Mattress In Palmdale Home

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — A convicted rapist on the lam after cutting off his GPS device was found at an Antelope Valley home Wednesday morning.

Joseph Serapiglia, 43, was arrested around 3:40 a.m. at a residence in the 36000 block of Auburn Court in Palmdale, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies were dispatched to the home on a burglary call and encountered 40-year-old Adrian Madrigal.

"He told deputies he knew the owner of the house," Sgt. Dave Sauer said.

Madirgal was later arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Deputies then searched the home and found Serapiglia hiding under a mattress in the garage.

"He gave several false names before coming clean with his true identity," Sgt. Dave Sauer said.

Serapiglia was last seen Friday near the intersection of Sepulveda and Roscoe boulevards in Panorama City, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

He was sentenced in July 1991 to 42 years in prison for attempted murder and rape. He was released to live in San Fernando in April of this year after serving 23 years.

While looking for a sober living facility, Serapiglia stayed in a guest room at a church near Glendale for a couple of nights in October, when he was arrested for a parole violation and drug possession. He was released last Thursday from jail and allegedly cut off the GPS device the very next day.

According to Madrigal, he and Serapiglia met in jail years ago and took a Metrolink train to Palmdale.

"Madrigal suggested they stay with an acquaintance of his" in Palmdale, which took deputies to the location of the alarm call.

Serapiglia was being held without bail.

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