A Maryland fugitive wanted on rape and child molestation charges is in the Polk County Jail awaiting extradition.

Fernando Lopez was apprehended Tuesday after a lookout was initiated in Polk County. The lookout was sent to Polk County by the Frederick Police Department in Maryland.

According to Det. Mark Pecor of the Frederick Police Department, investigators traced the location of Lopez's brother to Cedartown and felt Lopez would be headed here. Police there had a warrant for Lopez, but said he ran before they could execute it.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Shayne Garrison said they had gone to a trailer park where Lopez had been living, but someone had tipped Lopez off deputies were there.

Lopez, who had been working in Calhoun, was apprehended later in a nearby church parking lot.

"The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force was proud to secure the arrest of Fernando Lopez," Garrison said.

Lopez is wanted for the alleged rape and molestation of a 10-year-old relative. Pecor said the incident occurred last summer, but the victim didn't disclose it until about two months ago.

Pecor said the police department has to get approval from the State Attorney's Office before they can come to Georgia to pick up Lopez and whether to use officers or to hire an outside agency to bring him back to Maryland.

There isn't currently an estimated time for the extradition, officials said.