Houston Police Department

November 7, 2005 -- Since August 2005, when Police Chief Harold Hurtt’s Houston Men Against Family Violence warrant roundup began, the Houston Police Department, along with several other agencies, have continued to sweep the streets looking for suspects wanted for child abuse, family violence and failure to register as sex offenders.

The goal of our department is to prevent violent behavior against family members and educate victims and abusers alike that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. There are several valuable resources available to victims, such as the Houston Area Women’s Center, to help them fight the violence and keep themselves and their children safe. Additional resources are available to abusers who want to change their violent ways. Abusers can seek assistance through programs offered by Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), their ministers, or other service providers. One thing is guaranteed: either abusers seek help to stop their violent behavior or police will seek them out and put them in jail.

As promised, officers and investigators hit the streets again and conducted an additional 76 warrant sweeps and cleared 38 open warrants. Nine arrests were made, which consisted of four felonies and five misdemeanors, bringing the cumulative total for both warrant sweeps to 252 suspects in custody.

Among those arrested since August was Aquer Arob (b/m, DOB 1-1-75), who was charged with felony injury to a child. Arob burned the hands and ears of a seven-year-old accused of stealing. Arob received deferred adjudication with a $500 fine and five-years probation. A second suspect, Marie Padilla (w/f, DOB 6-24-79), was charged with felony injury to a child. Padilla fractured the arm of her ten-month-old baby and is currently out on bond awaiting trial. A third suspect, Anthony Brown (b/m, DOB 9-18-81), was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Brown was found at his new girlfriend’s residence hiding in her closest. He is currently in jail awaiting trial.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.