Authorities in Santa Clara County have identified a third suspect accused of beating a Northern California handyman allegedly forced to fix a dishwasher and other appliances under the threat of his life.

Sheriff's Sgt. Jose Cardoza said Wednesday that 49-year-old Richard Rodriguez, Jr., is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment in the beating of the 50-year-old handyman held hostage and forced to do a variety of household repairs at a home in Morgan Hill on Dec. 3.

The handyman escaped and notified police after he was driven to a convenience store in San Jose.

Police later arrested 36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson, both of Morgan Hill, on similar criminal charges as well as kidnapping.

The attack followed a months-long dispute between the handyman and a relative of DeJesus' over payment for previous work.