Detectives with the Tomball Police Department have captured a man believed to be a suspect in an attempted sexual assault Feb. 4 at a Tomball apartment complex.

Matthew Pickering, 23, was arrested after several complex residents and his family members recognized him on a police sketch. He was released on $10,000 bond Feb. 12.

A Tomball woman told police she was nearly sexually assaulted by a man Feb. 4 outside of her apartment building, but managed to escape and call police. She gave a description to a sketch artist and police claim the sketch allowed the case to break wide open.

Detectives began canvassing the area and showed the sketch to several people who live nearby. Witnesses verified that they heard screams coming from the apartment complex’s laundry room the night of the assault.

“A detailed description of the suspect, including a very unique tattoo was given by the victim and when the witnesses saw the sketch it was stated that it matched the description of a tenant who had just moved out of the complex,” a Tomball police statement said.

On Feb. 9 detectives met with members of Pickering’s family, who police say immediately identified him and told detectives he was in the location at that time. He was taken into custody by officers at that time.

Pickering is set for arraignment in the 179th District Court on March 14 at 9 a.m.

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