Police: Man hiding in car tried to strangle woman with phone cord inside west Houston garage

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston police are looking for a male suspect after a woman was assaulted inside the garage of her west Houston home.

According to investigators, the 27-year-old victim was attempting to get items out of her car in the 9800 block of Pine Lake Drive around 10:35 p.m. Wednesday.

A male suspect, wearing a mask and gloves, grabbed her from the back seat and attempted to strangle her with a phone cord, police said.

"That's very disturbing. Very disturbing," said neighbor David Renshaw.

Somehow, the woman screamed. Before neighbors arrived, the attacker was already running away.

"This is just really too close to home," said neighbor Judy Webb.

She moved in about six months ago, several doors down. She moved into the neighborhood from the country and says this sort of crime, that seems more prevalent in the city, is alarming.

"We are protected by Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. I want that man to know that," said Webb.

There's no history of police responding to that home before, but just last week there was a fire at the same address, according to the Houston Fire Department.

Authorities can't say if there's any connection between the two incidents.

Police said the woman suffered minor injuries to her neck. She couldn't get a good look at the attacker because of the mask.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Major Assaults Unit at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.