A 41-year-old man is in custody after a warrant accused him of assaulting an elderly Uber driver earlier this month in Bexar County. Deputies say the case moved fast once photos and vehicle details hit the internet, sparking a wave of tips from residents that helped zero in on the suspect.
According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, investigators identified the suspect as Leonard Mermea (born Aug. 14, 1984), described as a white male about 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The agency said he was wanted on an active warrant for "inj child/elderly/disabled w/int bodily inj" tied to an incident on Sunday, July 12, in which an elderly Uber driver was allegedly assaulted; the notice also showed images of a GMC Sierra that investigators linked to the case. Officials initially warned the public not to approach Mermea, then later updated the post to say he had been taken into custody.
How To Report Tips And Stay Safe
Anyone with additional information or video evidence tied to the case is asked to contact the sheriff's tip line. According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the non-emergency number for tips is 210-335-6000. Residents are urged not to confront anyone they suspect might be involved and to call 911 if they see someone acting in a dangerous or threatening way.
Legal Context And Penalties
Under Texas law, intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to an elderly individual is covered by Penal Code Section 22.04 and can bring stiffer penalties depending on how serious the injury is and what prosecutors allege about intent. Per FindLaw, the statute treats anyone 65 or older as an "elderly individual" and allows for enhanced charges when serious bodily injury or specific intent is involved.
Bexar County court records and the central magistrate search will show booking information and any formal charges if prosecutors move forward; Hoodline will update this item as those documents become available. Deputies have thanked community members whose tips helped lead to the arrest and reminded anyone with further information to call the tip line at 210-335-6000.
