Police Seek Suspect In North Austin Burglary/Sexual Assault

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police are looking for a suspect after a sexual assault that occurred Monday in North Austin.

Law enforcement officials on Tuesday officials on the incident that occurred at around 4:30 p.m. along the 8800 block of the North Interstate 35 service road. The victim told officers a man knocked on the door to her apartment before he forced his way inside her home while pointing a gun at her when she answered.

Once inside, police said, the man demanded money. After the woman retrieved cash from her purse, she was forced to the bathroom where she was sexually assaulted, police said. The victim managed to dial 911 after she escaped, officials added. Detectives added the suspect is believed to have been lurking in the area for some time before the burglary/assault, possibly as early as noon, and may have been in the company of a Hispanic female.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his late 30s with short black hair and a mustache. He has a mark or tattoo under his left eye, stand at five feet, seven inches and is medium to heavyset build. The suspect has tattoos on both arms down to his wrists and was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, according to police.

Investigators ask anyone that may have information to contact APD Sex Crimes at 512-974-5095. Those with information also can contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App. You may also submit tips by downloading APD's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone or Android.

The incident is similar to another North Austin sexual assault that occurred in late February. As Patch reported at the time, a woman told police she was sexually assaulted by a male suspect on Feb. 25 just before 1:45 p.m. along the 11000 block of Jollyville Road. Police made no reference to that incident in their latest press advisory, making it unclear if there might be a possible connection.

In yet another recent North Austin sexual assault incident, Travis County sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect in February after a sexual assault that occurred on June 9, 2018, at the Churchill Crossing apartment complex on the 14100 block of Thermal Drive at around 4:30 a.m. The suspect, identified as Quentin Tremel Goffney, is accused of first demanding money before taking his female victim into a secluded area before sexually assaulting and stabbing her before fleeing the scene with her cell phone.