Philadelphia police arrest serial killer suspect

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -- Philadelphia police on Monday arrested a suspect they believe is the "Kensington strangler" serial killer linked by DNA evidence to the sexual assault and murder of at least three women.

The suspect, 21-year-old Antonio Rodriguez, was arrested in the Kensington neighborhood on a tip from a member of the public, said Detective Justin Frank of the Philadelphia Police Department.

The tipster was reacting to pictures of the suspect shown in a live TV broadcast of a police news conference to announce details of the man they wanted for questioning in the case.

"We are pretty confident he is the suspect," said Frank.

Frank said the tipster would receive the $37,000 reward offered to the public for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

The suspect has a criminal record, and was already wanted for failure to appear in court on narcotics charges, Frank said.

The suspect, who was recently released from prison, speaks fluent Spanish and English and is known in the Kensington neighborhood by the nickname of "Black", said Capt. James Clark, at the news conference that led to the arrest.

All three victims were sexually assaulted and strangled in the Kensington neighborhoods, known for its drugs and prostitution, between November 3 and December 15.

(Editing by Greg McCune)