Man in tutu accused of exposing himself in N. Harris County

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Huntsville man accused of wearing an "erotic tutu," bustier, fishnet hose and stiletto heels is now in the Harris County jail.

Richard James Staples, 51, is accused of exposing himself to women inside a north Harris County beauty school earlier this week. According to the charge against him, Staples was wearing thong underwear, but allegedly had rearranged it, thereby exposing his private parts.

A manager at the beauty school in the 197000 block of the North Freeway says at least 40 people -- staff and clients alike -- had witnessed the incident Tuesday afternoon. She says the man pressed himself against the glass repeatedly, until she went outside and yelled at him to leave.

"It's hard to run in stilettos," she said.

The incident was unnerving to student Elexis Blacknell, but not frightening.

"We were more disgusted than scared," she says. "All we saw when he was walking awa was a... big booty, " adding, "it was nasty."

One thing the accused didn't disguise, was his truck, the license plate of which was also recorded on cell phone video, along with his hasty exit.

"We had a manhunt underway since the incident. We were able to track down his truck because of the cell phone pictures. We got his name, and he was arrested this morning," Harris County Pct 4 assistant chief constable Mark Herman said.

Herman declined to give details about the circumstances of the arrest but said Staples is "cooperating."

The constable's office is also investigating whether Staples could be involved in several other public exposure incidents in the Cypresswood/FM 1960 area in the recent past.

Because of that, Staples booking photo is not being released, so that his image can be shown to witnesses and complainants in those other cases.

Staples is described as an pest control exterminator with a business in Huntsville.

His bond was set at $1,000. If other cases are brought against him, the charge could be upgraded to a felony.