Sexual predator targets women and girls sleeping in their beds

(5/18/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Police are looking for a man they say is responsible for 10 sexually oriented attacks in southeast Houston. The latest victim is a 10-year-old girl.

Police tell us the man they're looking for breaks into homes and then crawls into the beds of women or girls. They say he hasn't physically assaulted any of his victims yet, but they want to catch him before he does.

A family is shocked after a man crawls into bed with two small children. The suspect, police say, was dressed only in boxers. The children's grandmother only imagines what could have happened.

She said, "It's just awful, when somebody goes into your house."

Houston police believe the same man is responsible for 10 home burglaries in the Hardy/Crosstimbers area. The 10 victims range in age from 4 to 64. Each was subjected to perverse acts on or near her bed.

"There's no property being taken," explained Lt. William Stanley with the HPD Juvenile Sex Crimes unit. "It's all sexual intent."

The man shown in the composite sketch is believed to break into homes through unlocked windows or doors, usually between 3 and 5 in the morning, and usually with minimal clothing.

Becky Harris with the HPD Juvenile Sex Crimes unit said, "He's coming in with his shirt on or off. He finds a female victim. He's not choosing by age, as long as it's a female victim."

Police believe the man they are looking for is responsible for last week's break in on Apache, where he exposed himself to a four-year-old girl. That's the same house where police say he struck a month before.

Near the latest scene, the principal at Lyons Elementary cancelled outdoor activities. Parents are also concerned a predator is on the loose.

"I'm scared, especially for my niece because she is 11 years old," said resident Yecenia Rangel.

Police have established a task force to try to hunt down this man. Several officers are assigned to that area to conduct surveillance. They believe the man may live in the Crosstimbers area. If you know who he is, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•