70-Year-Old Man Arrested After Girl Struck With Bicycle During Theft at Houston Apartments

HOUSTON, TX – A 9-year-old girl was injured Wednesday after a man stealing children’s bicycles struck her with handlebars during an altercation at a far north Houston apartment complex, authorities said.

Deputies with the Harris County Constable Mark Herman’s Office responded on Feb. 4, 2026, to a disturbance at the La Esencia Apartments in the 300 block of North Vista Drive in the North View area of Houston. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a man had taken several children’s bicycles that were left unattended.

According to investigators, a young girl witnessed the suspect taking her bicycle and attempted to get it back. During the confrontation, deputies said the suspect assaulted the child, striking her with the bicycle handlebars as she tried to retrieve it.

Using the girl’s description, deputies located the suspect nearby and took him into custody. He was identified as Jose Roberto Ayala, 70.

Ayala was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail, charged with injury to a child. Bond had not been set as of Wednesday, according to Constable Mark Herman. The case is pending in the 487th District Court.