Crime & Safety

Man Arrested On Sexual Assault Charge In South Austin

Derek Grinstead, 32, is accused of forcing a woman opening a business early Monday to a back room at knife point before assaulting her.

SOUTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — Austin police arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting an employee of a business she was opening up for the day early Monday.

Police responded to a shopping center along the 9300 block of Interstate 35 just after 7 a.m. after receiving a call about a sexual assault. The woman was opening up the business when a suspect walked inside before forcing her into a backroom while displaying a knife, police said. The suspect then sexually assaulted the woman, police allege.

A man matching the suspect's description was located in the vicinity a short time later, police said. The man fled when law enforcement officials attempted to question him but he was caught after a brief foot pursuit, according to police.

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Upon further investigation, police determined the man they nabbed was the suspect from the alleged sexual assault. He was promptly arrested for aggravated assault and evading arrest. The suspect was described as Derek Grinstead, 32.

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>>> Derek Grinstead booking photo courtesy Austin Police Department

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