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POLICE Department
Suspect Arrested, Other Victims Sought in Sexual Assault Investigation
March 21, 2017 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested and believed responsible for at least 10 sexual assault incidents in the northeast Houston and Harris County areas.
The suspect, Carlos Jose Ayala (H/m, 35), is charged with four counts of indecency with a child and one count of felony evading in the 184th State District Court.
A photo of Ayala is attached to this news release.
Ayala is believed responsible for sexual assault incidents on the following dates and locations:
- 5655 East Sam Houston Parkway - June 5, 2014 (Harris County)
- 5655 East Sam Houston Parkway - July 7, 2014 (Harris County)
- 5650 East Sam Houston Parkway - October 24, 2014 (Harris County)
- 5655 East Sam Houston Parkway - August 30, 2015 (Harris County
- 700 Shotwell Street - October 7, 2016
- 11534 Spicewood Lane - November 22, 2016 (Harris County)
- 7320 Waxahachie - December 15, 2016
- 7018 Force - December 15, 2016
- 7200 Abilene Street - January 23, 2017
- 700 Shotwell - February 10, 2017
In January 2017, the HPD Northeast Divisional Gang Unit (DGU) initiated an investigation into sexual assaults of school-aged juvenile females, 7 to 15 years of age, as they traveled to and from school in the Denver Harbor area near the East Freeway (East Interstate Highway 10). In each incident, the victims reported similar suspect and vehicle descriptions (a 2007 dark blue Toyota sedan). In the incidents that occurred in the Houston city limits, Ayala would come up behind the victims and inappropriately touch them through their clothing. In one incident, Ayala attempted to abduct one of the victims, a 7 year-old female, as she walked home from school with her 9 year-old brother. The children told police Ayala drove past them several times and then parked near them. Ayala exited his vehicle, opened the back door and approached the girl. He then assaulted the victim and attempted to put her in the back seat of his car. The girl's brother yelled at Ayala, which caused him to put her down and drive away.
Further investigation developed information on the suspect vehicle. On Feb. 17, Northeast DGU and tactical officers initiated a surveillance operation in the area of 700 Shotwell and saw the suspect vehicle pass by. Officers attempted a traffic stop and Ayala refused to stop. Officers then initiated a short vehicle pursuit that ended in the 100 block of Harris. Ayala was then taken into custody without incident. He admitted to the sexual assault incident on Shotwell and was positively identified by victims in at least three other incidents.
Investigators believe there may be other victims and ask anyone with additional information to contact the HPD Northeast Divisional Gang Unit at 713-635-0200
Carlos Jose Ayala
VHS/JFC 3-21-17
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
