HPD arrests man accused of assault and indecent exposure at Mason Park in E. Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man has been arrested, accused of multiple incidents involving female joggers at Mason Park at S. 75th Street and Brays Bayou in East Houston.

The Houston Police Department reported the arrest of Jose Vargas, who has been charged with assault and indecent exposure.

"It felt gross, I felt violated," Carmen Damian said. "I felt like as a woman you should be able to go run and be safe, but you can't even do that."

Damian said she was jogging at Mason Park two weeks ago when a man chased her down.

"He grabbed me from my behind and then he said some really perverted things and grabbed my arms until I pulled myself away," she recalled. "I yelled at him, and immediately I called 911, but he went the opposite way."

Records show police received reports from at least seven people about a suspicious man at the park from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27, and officers said witness descriptions were all similar.

One young woman ABC13 spoke with described the man running up next to her, taking off his pants, and then chasing her until she got home.

"As embarrassing as it might feel, as ashamed as you might feel, just do it. Just call," Damian said.

Damian said she feels grateful and empowered since learning of the arrest. But she hasn't been back to the park since.

"Maybe now that he's arrested, I might, but only when it's clear daylight," she said. "But obviously it didn't matter last time. I won't go alone."

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