A man accused of sexually assaulting a University of Houston student was captured more than a week after the attack, thanks to a civilian who spotted him riding the METRORail, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Today at approximately 3pm, Eric Brown, accused to sexually assaulting a UH student at knifepoint on 2/7/25, was arrested at the Texas and St. Emanuel St intersection.
— Harris County District Attorney (@HarrisCountyDAO) February 18, 2025
Authorities say Brown was riding the METROrail when a civilian recognized him. Photo c/o officers on scene. pic.twitter.com/8noOD9BIhI
Arrest and Background
Eric Brown, 40, was taken into custody on Tuesday after being recognized by a member of the public while using public transportation. Brown faces charges of sexual assault and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in connection to the February 7 attack on a 21-year-old student.
Authorities believe Brown was homeless and had been frequenting public spaces, including the METRORail and local libraries, since the crime occurred. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that law enforcement had received reports of his presence in these locations but did not disclose how they were able to verify those sightings.
Details of the Crime
According to court documents, the attack took place on the second floor of the University of Houston’s Welcome Center Student Parking Garage at around 5:30 p.m. The victim was cleaning her vehicle in preparation for a sorority event when Brown approached, asking to borrow a pen. He then allegedly forced his way into her vehicle, held her at knifepoint, and assaulted her before stealing $30.
Later that evening, officers encountered Brown and found him in possession of cash and a knife. At the time, he became confrontational and was subdued with a Taser before being arrested by the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). However, due to what officials are now calling communication failures, Brown was released shortly after.
Investigation Errors and Response
University of Houston Police Chief Ceaser Moore acknowledged missteps in the handling of the case but did not provide specifics. He cited communication breakdowns, shift changes, and timing issues as contributing factors to Brown’s initial release, despite being apprehended just hours after the crime.
Prosecutors from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office revealed that when UHPD officers first arrested Brown, they focused on an assault charge related to his altercation with police rather than the sexual assault allegations. The latter was only briefly mentioned, which led to the suspect being released.
District Attorney Sean Teare admitted that his office also failed to flag the case appropriately, stating, “We should have had a more experienced prosecutor review this case. There were internal missteps that we need to address, but ultimately, he was released when he shouldn’t have been.”
Criminal History and Campus Safety Concerns
Court records show that Brown has a criminal record dating back to 2002, including multiple offenses. His most recent charge was for misdemeanor assault on a family member in 2018.
The incident has heightened safety concerns among UH students, particularly following additional recent crimes near campus. In recent weeks, there have been reports of scooter thefts and an armed robbery involving a stolen cell phone. Authorities recently arrested 28-year-old Steven Simon in connection with the scooter thefts, though no suspects have been apprehended for the armed robbery.
In response to the assault and other safety concerns, the University of Houston has pledged to increase police presence on campus and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies to ensure suspects are held accountable.
Brown remains in custody as the investigation continues, with officials vowing to close gaps in their processes to prevent similar failures in the future.
