Katy Man on the Run from Police, Wanted for Sexually Assaulting 9-year-old Girl

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

March 5, 2021

By Katy Magazine Editors

Cody Harrison Towner of Katy is still on the run after evading arrest yesterday. Authorities say he is dangerous and wanted for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl. A $5000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Wanted man Cody Harrison Towner. Photo: Harris Country Constable Office, Precinct 5

Yesterday, Investigator Mike Puente with the Harris County Constable Office, Precinct 5 reported a known felon wanted for the aggravated sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl had evaded arrest.

Authorities are looking for 37-year-old Cody Harrison Towner, of Katy, who is believed to be in the area and dangerous.

Yesterday, a Harris County sheriff’s deputy pulled Towner over at North Fry Road and Morton Road. The deputy saw Towner was wanted on sexual assault charges, and before he could arrest him, he sped off. Authorities chased Towner and he crashed his truck at Morton and Sedgeborough. His wife Jessica Towner was also in the vehicle.

Towner fled the scene on foot. Authorities have not released any information about his wife since they said she is not the focus of the investigation.

Suspect Description

Towner is 5’11’’ and approximately 150 lb. He has several tattoos on his arms and legs, and a large tattoo on his neck.

Towner has a criminal history and was arrested by the Katy Police Department in January when he was found with meth, prior to the sexual assault being reported.

An arrest warrant for the aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 was posted for Towner in February. Towner has previously been charged with possession of a controlled substance under one gram and twice for assaulting a family member, in 2010 and 2013.

Watch the video message from Investigator Puente here:

Authorities believe that Towner and his wife have been living out of their truck (not the one in the chase) for a while.

“We’re hoping someone can help us find him before he skips town,” says Robert Henslee with Harris County Constable Office, Precinct 5.

Someone familiar with the couple told Katy Magazine, "He's just a bad guy with a long rap sheet. He beat his ex-girlfriend up along with a few others. Sad situation."

Young Victim Safe

The 9-year-old victim is safe and living with her biological father.

“She is getting help in dealing with this trauma,” says Henslee.

Suspect Released on Bond

Towner was released on a Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond the end of January. Less than a month after his release, he was accused of assaulting a child.

This is an example of the broken bond system that Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers is fighting to stop.

“I wish I could say I am shocked, but this is what we are seeing now,” says Andy Kahan. “You have an individual with four felony convictions. The majority are assaulted nature.”

Kahan explains that PR bonds were meant for misdemeanor offenders not someone like Towner, a repeat felon.

“Over 20 bills have been filed to address the broken bond system,” says Kahan. “The next two months will be crucial in fixing the system because it will not be done locally.”

Reward Offered

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Cody Towner.

Anyone with information about Towner's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the Harris County Constable Precint 5 Dispatch at 281-463-6666.

“Somebody knows where he is,” says Kahan. “Hopefully they will do the right thing before he hurts someone else.”