HOUSTON — Police on Thursday released a sketch of a man wanted for the sexual assault of a child.
The crime happened in southwest Houston at 10200 Harwin about 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, according to the Houston Police Department.
Investigators said the suspect walked up to a 4-year-old girl as she played in the front yard of her apartment and sexually assaulted her.
“He didn’t walk her very far from where she was, so kind of out of sight of the other children,” said Jessica Lam with the Crimes Against Children unit.
Police have been on the hunt for the suspect ever since.
“As soon as it happened, she went to her parents and told them that she has been assaulted," Lam said.
With the help of the victim’s 8-year-old brother, they helped build the composite sketch of the suspect.
Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male with light complexion, between 20 and 30 years old, about 6 feet tall, with a mustache and a long black goatee. He wore blue jeans, a blue hoodie and glasses.
Residents like Lisely Lopez who live in the area say parents need to be extra careful not matter what.
“Well, we have to protect one another and maybe come to an agreement with our neighbors," she said. "Really, it’s the safest to get to know each other more, and that way, we are a little more protected.”
At the moment, HPD doesn’t believe there are other victims but want the suspect captured before he strikes again.
“I do believe that -- because it happened in the middle of the day -- that he might be brave or bold enough to try and do it again,” Lam said.
Anyone who has information that could help investigators is urged to contact the HPD Special Victims Division at (713) 308-1100 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
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