Arrest made following recent assaults near downtown courthouse garage

Miya Shay Image
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Arrest made following recent crimes downtown
Arrest made following recent crimes downtownAfter a warning about an increase in crime near the courthouse complex, one man has been arrested

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The ongoing security concerns surrounding the Harris County court complex resurfaced again Wednesday morning. A civilian employee with the Precinct 1 constable's office was on her way to work when she was assaulted by a man who also tried to take her purse. But this time, the suspect didn't get far.

"This suspect was caught on camera," said Constable Alan Rosen. "He was identified, we were able to follow him here to this low income housing project and we were able to take him into custody without incident."

In fact, Rosen, his staff, and members of the Houston Police Department all quickly descended upon 1414 Congress, a housing complex located directly across from a county-owned parking garage where several assaults have taken place.

The suspect, identified as Damon Hines, was then taken into custody without incident. He is accused of striking the county employee to the ground and trying to take her purse. When Eyewitness News questioned Hines as to whether he had attacked people near the courthouse complex, he uttered a series of hard to comprehend words. He repeatedly stated, "I'm Chief Apache," several times to our cameras.

This is the third arrest Precinct 1 has made in relation to security concerns around the court house complex. In May, a man and a woman were arrested for having sex in public. About two weeks ago, another man was arrested for exposing himself in downtown.

The Harris County Sheriff's Department and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are also aware of the ongoing security concerns.

"We can make it better by making sure citizens that come to these complexes are paying attention," Said Sheriff Adrian Garcia. "See something, say something."

For the employee of the constable's office, she is recovering at home. Hines is in jail, and the Constable is looking into possible additional cases that may be attributed to this suspect.

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