A Houston man was arrested Tuesday night in connection with the attempted and successful kidnapping—and sexual assaults—of multiple women in two Texas counties.
The Houston Chronicle reported that information from the victims and public helped police identify Howard Dixon, 22, as the suspect. He was reportedly arrested in The Woodlands late Tuesday and is being held on $200,000 bail.
According to KTRK, Dixon is accused of being the perpetrator of an attempted kidnapping and kidnapping of two women in Harris County last weekend. He’s also facing sexual assault charges in Montgomery County.
Deputies said Dixon forced a woman off her bike on North Bend Drive early Saturday and dragged her about 100 yards. From there, he allegedly forced her into his car and struck her in the face before she managed to flee, according to the Chronicle.
Minutes earlier, Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Lt. Jeff Stauber said Dixon also tried to force a woman into his car on North Vista Drive but she was able to escape with the help of nearby lawn care workers.
Dixon is also believed to have victimized two more women in Montgomery County Sunday afternoon. He allegedly forced a woman inside his car outside an apartment complex and made her perform a sex act.
Hours later, police said the 22-year-old returned to the same area in Montgomery County and coerced yet another woman into his car. This time, he allegedly choked her and sexually assaulted her.
The woman who was reportedly snatched from her bike Saturday recounted her frightening encounter to KTRK.
“I said, ‘Take the bicycle, please take the bicycle,’ and he said, ‘No, I want you,'” said Luz Baena, who escaped with cuts and bruises. Baena recalled getting away by jumping from the moving vehicle.
“I tell him, ‘please don’t kill me, don’t kill me. Please, you have a mother, I believe in God, please don’t kill me.'”
Dixon is currently facing felony sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault charges in Montgomery County. The Chronicle reported that Harris County prosecutors are in the process of filing multiple charges against Dixon, including first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping and second-degree felony attempted aggravated kidnapping.
Meanwhile, Dixon is being held in the Montgomery County Jail. KTRK reported that authorities believe there are more victims.
[Featured Image: Howard Dixon/Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office]