Fearing a man wanted in Massachusetts on rape charges was planning to flee to Puerto Rico, Fulton County authorities acted quickly and arrested the man, police said Monday.

The Fulton sheriff’s office’s part in the investigation began after the Falls River Police Department in Massachusetts reached out for help in locating Roque Ivan Garcia-Ortiz, who is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, officials said. He is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of aggravated rape of a child and one count of rape of a child with force.

Authorities did not say why Garcia-Ortiz came to Atlanta, but they said they were worried he was planning to flee.

“The Scorpion Unit acted quickly, fearing the suspect was planning on flying to Puerto Rico where he has family ties,” Fulton officials said.

He was located at a hotel in East Point and booked into the Fulton County Jail on Friday. He remains in custody while awaiting extradition to Massachusetts.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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