HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 35-year-old man accused of attacking a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint in May has been arrested, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened near the Lakeview Apartments, close to Ella Boulevard and Romano Park Drive.
Reginald Dewayne Patt Jr.’s DNA was linked to the crime months after the attack.
According to Patt’s charging documents, the teen had just gotten off the school bus and was walking through a hole in the fence to get inside the apartment complex when she saw Patt on a back porch holding a gun.
Court records state Patt pulled a gun from his waistband and threatened the girl, saying, “Don’t scream or I’ll f*****g shoot you.” He then allegedly sexually assaulted her.
The girl bravely wrapped her arms around Patt and used her cell phone to hit the SOS emergency button on the Life 360 app, alerting her mother. Records show, her sister found her and screamed at Patt, who fled the scene.
About five months later, investigators said DNA evidence matched Patt, and the teen identified him in a photo lineup.
Patt faces multiple felony warrants, including burglary with intent to commit a felony, indecency with a child, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Patt is also accused of breaking into an apartment off Cypress Station Drive in March and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old at knifepoint.
Court records allege the 18-year-old woke up to Patt kissing her. Holding a knife to her neck, she told detectives Patt covered up her mouth and said, “shut the f*** up or I’ll kill you.”
She tried fighting him off, but she told detectives he continued sexually assaulting her, slamming her to the ground and hitting her in the legs and head.
The victim in that case was able to remove the mask Patt was wearing and see his face during the struggle. Patt then ran away, and the victim locked herself in a bedroom and called her sister and 911, according to court documents.
KPRC 2 News Reporter Corley Peel informed the 18-year-old survivor about Patt’s arrest. The teen said she is relieved he is now behind bars.
Authorities believe Patt may have been involved in other assaults. Anyone with any information is urged to call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Patt is set to make a court appearance on Thursday at 9 a.m.