UPDATED 7:15 PM: SMPD Releases Further Details Regarding Sexual Assault Investigations

Staff Reports

UPDATE: 7:15 PM | 

The investigation has determined that while Louis is connected to the sexual assault at The Edge apartments that occurred Monday and was reported yesterday, he is NOT connected to the additional three incidents occurring at the Cottages and the Retreat within the last two weeks.

Officials said they strongly urge all residents to stay cautious, lock your doors and windows, and report any suspicious behavior.

SMPD’s investigative team has just released a sketch of the assailant tied to the three sexual assaults. One of the victims saw his face and was able to give a description.

He is described as a black male, approximately 6’2” to 6’3” tall, last seen wearing a long sleeve black shirt, black pants, black gloves, and black mask covering his face/hair.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Detective Campbell at 512-753-2312 or dcampbell@sanmarcostx.gov.  

UPDATE 1:15 PM | Keith Louis III was arrested today just before noon in Austin, TX. Members of the  SMPD investigative team received information about Mr. Louis’ possible whereabouts earlier today.

Shortly thereafter, he was located and arrested by members of the United States Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the FBI Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force. Louis will be transported to the Hays County Jail today.

On Friday, May 3, the San Marcos Police Department held a press conference at Fire Station 5 to provide details on the investigation into two home invasions/sexual assaults, which have taken place in the last two weeks.

Police are still searching for a suspect who invaded a Capstone Cottage Apartment and a Retreat Apartment, threatened the apartments’ residents and sexually assaulted them.

According to SM Police Department Police Chief Chase Stapp, around 12:30 PM, the suspect took a woman and her roommate inside their apartment at gunpoint, bound them and physically and sexually assaulted them for two and a half to three hours.

Chief Stapp said the suspect eventually left the apartment, and the victims were able to call police around 3:20 PM. Police arrived at the scene within three minutes.

“This crime almost identically matches a crime that happened last week on Wednesday,” Stapp said. “We updated the press on that event; the suspect description matches the description on that crime.”

The victims described the suspect as a black male in his 20s with an athletic build and approximately six feet tall. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and a ski mask.

Stapp said police believe the suspect gained access to the residences in most of these cases through an unlocked door or window.

Police worked late into the night processing the scene and working with the victims.

Stapp also provided details regarding an apparent separate rape incident, which occurred at Edge Apartments Thursday morning.

Chief Stapp said they received a 911 call on Thursday reporting that a woman at the Edge Apartments had heard a woman scream and say something about rape; police arrived within three minutes where a woman reported she had been in a confrontation with her roommate, who had sexually assaulted her on Monday, April 29.

The victim said she had not seen him since; when she returned home on Thursday to find him in the apartment, she screamed in alarm, which prompted a neighbor to call 911.   

Police were able to identify the suspect accused of the crime.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Keith Vallen Louis III. Louis is described as a 5’10” 160lbs black male with black hair and brown eyes. His vehicle was found abandoned yesterday.

Stapp said the police were “frustratingly close” to capturing Louis during yesterday’s pursuit but were unable to; they could not definitively say whether Louis is involved in all of these crimes at this time.

According to police, Louis did not have a weapon in his possession when he sexually assaulted his roommate. 

“On behalf of our community, to the victim of these crimes, we are so sorry that this has happened to you, and this is not your fault,” Kristy Stark, Communications Director for the City of San Marcos, said. “Your bravery is displayed by you reporting these crimes as well as working with us to provide information.”

Residents are asked to be vigilant about keeping their doors and windows locked and report any suspicious persons or activity.