Search for Graves County rape suspect ends after 16-hour manhunt

A rape suspect that had been on the run for nearly 16 hours is in custody according to the Graves County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities had been searching for 22-year-old Yony Renaldo Perez since early Sunday morning when it was reported the suspect was caught sexually assaulting a 12-year-old child. When confronted, the suspect ran from the residence in the direction of a corn field, running out of one of his tennis shoes. 

The suspect was reportedly from Guatemala, and had only been in the United States a few weeks and is here illegally. 

When deputies arrived to the residence, located in the 2700 block of Ky Hwy 945, an area search was conducted on the ground and by air. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. 

Just before 6 pm, reports began coming in from area residents reporting the suspect running through yards in the area of Pleasant Grove Church. A translator was brought to that area in a patrol car, using the cruiser's public address system to talk the suspect into surrendering. 

The Sheriff's Office said around 6:10 pm the suspect appeared in a soybean field on Nicholson Road and surrendered.

Perez was charged with rape, fleeing or evading police, unlawful translation with a minor and criminal trespass.