Man tells neighbor there’s a problem with her AC, then kidnaps her, TX cops say
A Texas man is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his upstairs neighbor at a Pasadena apartment complex, police told news outlets.
Jose Maldonado-Zavala, 56, has been arrested on charges of kidnapping, the Pasadena Police Department said in a July 28 news release. Sexual assault charges “are pending further investigation” into the incident, which occurred around midnight July 2, per police.
According to police, Zavala targeted a woman living in an apartment near his and spoke to her under the pretense that there was a problem with her air conditioning, KTRK reported. Police say Zavala told the woman her AC was leaking from her apartment into his, and then grabbed her and forced her into his apartment where he sexually assaulted her.
The woman was able to get away from Zavala and escape his apartment, which was above hers, police told KPRC. She found a friend and got into her vehicle and drove away, police said.
Police took Zavala into custody and he told officers the reason he targeted the woman was because she seemed like she might have a mental disability, the outlet reported.
The department said there may be more victims and is asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 713-475-4909.
Pasadena is a southeast suburb of Houston.
This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Man tells neighbor there’s a problem with her AC, then kidnaps her, TX cops say."