Houston man accused in abductions, sexual assaults captured near The Woodlands

Howard Junius Dixon, 22, was picked up by officers near The Woodlands late Tuesday night after tips from victims and the public helped develop him as a suspect in abductions and sexual assaults. Scroll through to see the Houston area's notable crimes so far in 2018 less Howard Junius Dixon, 22, was picked up by officers near The Woodlands late Tuesday night after tips from victims and the public helped develop him as a suspect in abductions and sexual assaults. Scroll through ... more Photo: Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Photo: Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Houston man accused in abductions, sexual assaults captured near The Woodlands 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

A Houston man is behind bars after a string of attempted – and successful – abductions and sexual assaults throughout north Harris County and south Montgomery County, police said.

Howard Junius Dixon, 22, was picked up near The Woodlands late Tuesday night after tips from victims and the public helped develop him as a suspect. He's currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail with a $200,000 bail amount.

The first attempted abduction happened in the 900 block of North Vista Drive, near Imperial Valley Drive, around 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

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A woman told police a man – later identified as Dixon – tried to force her into his car but she was able to evade the suspect with the help of nearby lawn-care workers, according to Harris County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Lt. Jeff Stauber.

Just a few minutes later, Dixon allegedly tried to force another woman into his vehicle in the 16200 block of Bend Drive, less than a mile from the North Vista Drive location. he allegedly forced her into the vehicle and struck her in the face, but the woman was able to break away and run for help before anything more nefarious could happen.

About 24 hours later, Dixon struck again, police said – this time near an apartment complex at the corner of the North Freeway and Rayford Road in Montgomery County. He "coerced" a woman into his vehicle around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, detectives said, and forced her to perform a sexual act.

A few hours later, he came back to the same area in Montgomery County and coerced another woman into his vehicle, police allege. This time, he allegedly choked her before sexually assaulting her.

Stauber said Dixon's escalating violent tendencies toward these women put HCSO and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office detectives on high alert.

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"We ... believed he was going to take it further and further," Stauber said. "I believe, in having this man in custody right now, we very possibly could have (avoided) a homicide. That was the progression of his aggression."

HCSO and MCSO deputies, assisted by the Houston Police Department, Texas Rangers, FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety were able to locate and arrest Dixon without incident off FM 1488 near Horseshoe Bend just north of The Woodlands.

He faces felony sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault charges in Montgomery County, jail records show. In Harris County, prosecutors are working to file first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping and second-degree felony attempted aggravated kidnapping charges against him.

He could face up to life in prison, if convicted.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.