Trigger warning: This story contains mentions of sexual assault. 

11/8 UPDATE: San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) arrested Patrick Mendoza in connection with the sexually-motivated crimes at Mill Street. 

At around 2:27 a.m. on Nov. 8, SMPD was alerted that Mendoza returned to San Marcos using license plate detection technology, according to a Nov. 8 press release.

The press release stated that officers arrived at Mendoza’s apartment and located him hiding in bushes. Mendoza then attempted to flee, first by foot then in a vehicle, but was taken into custody just before 3 a.m., according to the press release. 

Mendoza is now in Hays County Jail on charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony, sexual assault, indecent assault, felony evading in a motor vehicle, two counts of evading on foot and possession of marijuana, according to the press release. 

“I am thankful that our city has leveraged technology to assist in combating violent crimes. This technology resulted in the quick apprehension of a violent offender,” San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said. “The department will continue to work with the victims and we ask that anyone with knowledge of Mendoza or these incidents to please contact us.”

San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) are searching for a suspect after sexual assault and suspicious activity was reported at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Mill Street, according to a city of San Marcos press release.

According to the press release, SMPD believes a single suspect is involved, described as “a White or Hispanic male who is approximately 6 feet tall and heavyset with spiked or combed over hair. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt, black shorts and white shoes.”

The first incident occurred on Oct. 31 after a female resident of the complex reported to police that she received a video from a neighbor that showed an unknown person looking in her window. In the video, the person appeared to look into the victim’s bedroom while she was inside and partially undressed for a few seconds before running away, the press release stated.

According to the press release, just before 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, a resident in another building of the complex reported seeing a male watching a female resident who was sitting at a desk through her window. Officers responded to the scene and did not find someone at the complex. However, after a further search of the area, officers located a male and gave him commands to stop; but the suspect ran away and has not been located since. 

Later on Nov. 1, SMPD received more reports from the complex. In one report, a female victim said she was awakened between 3-7:30 a.m. by an unknown male standing next to her bed and touching her inappropriately. The victim said the male ran out of the room after the victim woke up and moved. A second victim was asleep in the same apartment unit and said she was also awakened between 3-7:30 a.m. by an unknown male touching her inappropriately. The second victim said when she woke up, the suspect ran out the door and jumped off the back patio. 

Additionally, a male matching the description of the offender entered an adjacent apartment and left through the back patio door. 

SMPD is investigating and currently, a male suspect has not been identified or located. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 512-753-2300. 

SMPD recommends residents keep all doors and windows locked and report suspicious activity right away. 

Students who have experienced sexual assault can contact the Texas State Counseling Center at 512-245-2208 and the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center at 512-396-4357 for immediate, anonymous support or 512-396-3404 for an appointment or questions. 

This is a developing story. The University Star will provide updates as they become available.