SPRING, Texas – A 16-year-old faces a charge of attempted aggravated sexual assault after investigators say he attacked at least two women at Jesse Jones Park in northern Harris County.
The most recent incident happened July 17, when an 18-year-old woman told deputies she was attacked while jogging around 8:30 a.m.
“The assailant put his hand over her nose and mouth in an attempt to suffocate her,” said Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman. “He did eventually get her to fall to the ground, at which time he began to disrobe her. She continued to struggle, fight, and yell. At some point of the assault, the suspect took off running in a certain direction back toward the neighborhood.”
Ring doorbell video helped investigators identify and arrest the teen suspect just over a week later. Authorities say the same teen is also accused of attacking another female jogger in February.
“Also, during this investigation, we have been able to determine he is the same suspect that attacked another female jogger back in February of this year,” Herman said.
For frequent visitors like Kimberln, the news is unsettling.
“Wow, now I need to be more aware of my surroundings — always looking back as I run because I try to do 8 miles, so I’m here for over an hour,” she said. “So, I need to be watching my back.”
She now carries protection every time she visits the park.
“I have a mace on my key chain and one behind me,” Kimberln added.
While the investigation continues, similar groping incidents have been reported at Buffalo Bayou Park and along the Heights Hike and Bike Trail.
Catherine Manterola said she was groped while walking her dog on the Heights Trail around 7:45 a.m. Monday.
“This was yesterday morning about 7:45 on the Heights Trail, just right off of White Oak, and I was finishing my normal morning walk, and I was walking home with my dog, and on the trail, somebody on a bike came up behind me, they came up right next to me, slowed down almost to a stop, leaned over, groped me from behind, and then kind of casually biked away,” Manterola said. “I was in shock, so it took me a little bit to react.”
Another woman, Andrea Mackie, shared a nearly identical experience.
“Like I said, I was walking and then there was a man on a bicycle that came up behind me. I didn’t know that he was behind me until it was too late,” Mackie said. “So, what happened was he rode up behind me and without even stopping really, he just kind of like slowed down. He grabbed me and like, like obviously like my butt and like my vaginal area from the back and he groped me really hard. It was just wild.”
Both women say they filed reports with Houston police, who are now investigating.
Constable Herman said he plans to push for the teen suspect to be tried as an adult and believes more women may have been attacked but haven’t come forward.
Officials are urging anyone who believes they were targeted — even if the assault seemed minor — to report the incident to law enforcement.
Safety tips include:
- Walk or jog with a friend
- Stick to well-lit, populated areas
- Carry personal protection like pepper spray or a whistle
- Stay aware of your surroundings
This is a developing story. Check back with KPRC 2 for updates.