San Marcos Police Arrest Suspect In Serial Home Invasions/Sexual Assault Cases

On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, San Marcos Police arrested Tyshane Vris Thomas (02-28-1999) on a charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault for three sexual assault crimes that occurred in recent weeks. 

At approximately 2:42 PM Tuesday afternoon, members of the San Marcos Police Department were called to the Sanctuary Lofts Apartments, 300 block of North Street, to investigate a suspicious object found at the complex. 

According to police, a concerned citizen reported finding a backpack in an interior stairwell at the complex with the name Tyshane Thomas written on it in permanent marker. 

The citizen immediately notified police upon opening the backpack and observing a handgun and what appeared to be clothing. 

Upon arrival at the apartment complex, officers further examined the contents of the backpack and observed it to contain a black hooded sweatshirt, a black mask, a BB pistol made to look like a real handgun, and several items of women’s clothing. 

Police said officers were quickly able to identify Tyshane Vris Thomas from the name on the backpack. Detectives noted that Thomas closely matched the description of the serial rapist suspected of committing three sexual assaults in San Marcos in recent weeks.  

Internal department records led officers to an apartment at Sanctuary Lofts where Thomas was believed to reside with his girlfriend.  Officers contacted Thomas at that location and asked him to accompany them to the SMPD headquarters for questioning. 

Thomas agreed and spoke to detectives for several hours. During the interview, Thomas confessed to three sexual assault crimes and one burglary committed in San Marcos on April 24, April 30 and May 2. Officers also obtained a search warrant for the apartment where Thomas was staying. 

That search yielded the discovery of other items believed to be tied to the prior assaults including duct tape, zip ties, and personal lubricant.  Thomas has been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and is being held at the Hays County Jail.  Bail has not yet been set.  Thomas is a recent Criminal Justice student at Texas State University, last attending in the fall of 2018. 

Chief Chase Stapp praised the work of everyone involved in the investigation of these terrifying crimes.  “This is a stellar example of the outstanding and tireless work done on a daily basis by members of this department. It is also a great example of the effective relationships we have with our state and local partners. We are very thankful for the assistance we have received from the Texas Rangers and the FBI Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force. We are also indebted to the observant citizen who decided to report something that was obviously suspicious and ultimately provided the break needed in this case.”

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives encourage anyone who may have additional information about these crimes to contact the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 512.753.2108, extension 4.