Man accused of raping college student recaptured after being released, TX officials say

UPDATE: Eric Brown, a man accused of raping a college student at knifepoint, has been recaptured by police after he was mistakenly let go, Texas officials say.

Authorities captured Brown at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, after someone recognized him on the METRORail, the University of Houston said in a news release. A 21-year-old university student was attacked and sexually assaulted by Brown in an on-campus parking garage on Feb. 7, according to officials.

Brown’s arrest came just hours after investigators announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

The original story continues below.

A man accused of raping a college student at knifepoint in a parking garage was mistakenly let go after his arrest, and now Texas police are asking the public for help in finding him.

Eric Brown, 40, was arrested on Feb. 7, the same day he’s accused of raping a 21-year-old University of Houston student in a parking garage, according to a criminal complaint filed Feb. 12 in Harris County.

The woman told police she was cleaning the inside of her car when a “heavy-set” man walked up to her asking if he could borrow a pen, documents read. He then held a knife to the woman’s throat, pushed her into her car and raped her before stealing some cash and her mail, then leaving.

Within minutes of the attack, the woman flagged down officers with the University of Houston Police Department and officers began searching for the suspect, the records said.

Shortly before midnight, two officers spotted a man matching the woman’s description near the Welcome Center Student Garage, the same garage where the student was raped, according to records. Brown “became aggressive” with the officers and he was tased, then a struggle ensued that lasted several minutes and left both officers with minor injuries.

Police compared body camera video with surveillance video from when the student was attacked and said Brown was the man seen in both.

However, Brown was mistakenly freed after his arrest, officials say.

Brown’s release, and the now 11-day search for him, has drawn outrage and fueled student protests at the University of Houston demanding greater safety on campus and transparency from law enforcement, KHOU reported.

“Bottom line, it was a communication issue” that led to Brown’s release, UHPD Chief Ceaser Moore said during a Feb. 18 news briefing streamed by Crime Stoppers of Houston.

Following Brown’s arrest, UHPD didn’t ask for sexual assault charges against Brown, as they were primarily interested in pursuing a charge of assaulting a peace officer, District Attorney Sean Teare told KTRK. Teare said his office also shares some of the blame for Brown’s release.

“We should have had a more experienced prosecutor highlighted to look at that case. There were a lot of things internally that we are going to work through and fix, but the bottom line is, he was released,” Teare told the station.

Teare also suggested that a lack of evidence played a part in Brown’s release.

“It took us numerous days to collect the evidence where we believed that we had enough to file the case,” he said at the briefing.

Teare defended UHPD, saying they have worked hard collecting evidence and pursuing what avenues they could to make an arrest — as is the Houston Police Department.

“The students do not feel safe,” he said, promising that Brown would be recaptured and prosecuted.

“We have three first-degree felonies that he’s charged with. Each one of those is punishable by life in prison,” Teare added.

Officials say Brown is homeless and they believe he’s been getting around the Houston area by rail.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Brown’s arrest, Crime Stoppers official Andy Kahan announced at the briefing.

“Let’s be real. We know somebody out there knows where he is,” he said. “We’re asking the public to step up to the plate … and help us get this sadistic predator in custody.”

The victim of Brown’s attack is still recovering, and Kahan shared a message directed to her.

“There’s no ifs and or buts, she is one brave young lady,” he said.

“If you’re out there watching … we’re going to do everything we can,” he added. “We’re going to make sure he doesn’t breathe free air again for quite a long time.”

Brown is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, records show.

Anyone with information regarding Brown’s whereabouts are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Man accused of raping college student recaptured after being released, TX officials say."