What Led to the Shooting of Ankle Monitor Fugitive in Houston McDonald’s?
Robert Gregory Johnson III, a 32-year-old former Uber driver, was captured and shot by law enforcement. Johnson was accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Uber passenger. He was captured at a Houston McDonald’s on February 4, 2025, after he had been evading authorities since August 2024 after removing his court-ordered ankle monitor following his release on bond. The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force located Johnson around 9:45 a.m., leading to an officer-involved shooting that left him injured but expected to survive. Johnson faces charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child stemming from a July 2024 incident in Plano where he allegedly assaulted a young girl during an Uber Health ride to a therapy appointment.
5 Key Points
- Robert Gregory Johnson III, 32, was shot during his capture at a Houston McDonald’s on February 4, 2025.
- Johnson allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old passenger during an Uber Health ride in July 2024.
- After removing his court-ordered ankle monitor, the suspect had been on the run since August 2024.
- A January social media BOLO (Be On the LookOut) generated public tips that led to his capture.
- Johnson was the only person injured in the officer-involved shooting and is expected to survive.
What Happened During the Capture of the Fugitive Uber Driver?
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies located Robert Gregory Johnson III at a McDonald’s restaurant in Houston around 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force attempted to take Johnson into custody when an “officer-involved shooting occurred,” according to the sheriff’s office statement. No officers were injured during the confrontation, but Johnson sustained gunshot wounds. While authorities have not released specific details about his medical condition, they indicated that Johnson is expected to survive his injuries. The Texas Rangers have launched an investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in Texas. Johnson may face additional charges related to the February 4 incident on top of his existing aggravated sexual assault of a child charge.
How Did Public Tips Help Locate the Fugitive After Months on the Run?
After exhausting all investigative leads, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office turned to social media on January 16, 2025, posting a BOLO (Be On the LookOut) alert for Johnson. The public response proved crucial to breaking the case. “The response was overwhelming, with the post generating a strong public reaction and numerous tips that helped move the investigation forward,” the sheriff’s office stated on February 4. Sheriff Skinner emphasized the importance of community involvement: “This case highlights the power of community involvement and strong law enforcement partnerships. The public’s assistance played a critical role in this investigation, and we appreciate every tip received.” Following the social media campaign, Collin County investigators and their Habitual Offender Strike Team (GHOST) pursued the new leads in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service. This collaborative effort ultimately tracked Johnson to Houston, where he was apprehended after nearly six months as a fugitive.
What Are the Details of the Alleged Sexual Assault Against a Child?
According to court documents, Johnson allegedly picked up a 12-year-old girl from a facility in Frisco on July 9, 2024, through Uber Health—a service designed to transport patients to non-emergency medical appointments. The three-page probable cause affidavit states that instead of completing the scheduled route, Johnson pulled off a road in Plano and sexually assaulted the child. Particularly troubling in this case, the affidavit notes the girl was using a rideshare service specifically tailored for unaccompanied minors, which advertises more thoroughly vetted drivers for vulnerable passengers such as children traveling to therapy appointments. Following the alleged assault, Johnson was arrested on July 17, 2024, and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was released on bond just five days later, on July 22, with a court-ordered ankle monitor as a condition of his release. By August, Johnson had removed the monitoring device and disappeared, prompting the months-long search that culminated in his February 4 capture.
How Did Law Enforcement Agencies Collaborate to Capture the Fugitive?
The successful capture of Johnson demonstrated effective cross-agency cooperation spanning multiple jurisdictions. After the suspect removed his ankle monitor in August 2024, Collin County Sheriff’s Office investigators maintained an active search for months. When traditional investigative methods failed to locate him, they coordinated with the department’s Habitual Offender Strike Team (GHOST), specializing in tracking fugitives. The investigation expanded beyond North Texas in January 2025, bringing in federal resources through a partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, a multi-agency team that includes local, state, and federal officers, ultimately located Johnson in Houston, approximately 250 miles from where the alleged crime occurred. Sheriff Skinner acknowledged this collaboration in his statement: “We also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force in bringing Johnson into custody.” The Texas Rangers, the state’s premier investigative law enforcement agency, now leads the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting.
FAQ
Q: What was Robert Gregory Johnson III accused of doing?
A: Johnson is accused of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to police, he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on July 9, 2024, after picking her up as an Uber driver and pulling off a road in Plano instead of completing the scheduled route.
Q: What is Uber Health, and how was it involved in this case?
A: Uber Health is a service that helps patients get to and from non-emergency medical appointments, delivers groceries, and fills prescriptions. In this case, the 12-year-old victim was using a rideshare service through Uber Health that was specifically designed for unaccompanied minors traveling to therapy appointments with supposedly more thoroughly vetted drivers.
Q: How long was Johnson on the run before being captured?
A: Johnson was on the run for approximately six months. He removed his court-ordered ankle monitor in August 2024 after being released on bond on July 22, 2024, and was finally captured on February 4, 2025.
Q: Was anyone injured during Johnson’s arrest?
A: Yes, Johnson was shot during the arrest attempt. According to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, an “officer-involved shooting occurred” when authorities tried to take him into custody. Johnson was the only person struck by gunfire and is expected to survive his injuries.
Q: How did authorities finally locate Johnson after months of searching?
A: After exhausting traditional investigative methods, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office issued a public BOLO (Be On the LookOut) alert on social media on January 16, 2025. The post generated numerous tips from the public that, combined with law enforcement collaboration between Collin County investigators, their Habitual Offender Strike Team, and the U.S. Marshals Service, led to locating Johnson at a McDonald’s in Houston.
Q: Could Johnson face additional charges beyond the original sexual assault accusation?
A: Yes, according to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson could potentially face additional charges following the February 4 incident and officer-involved shooting. The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, which could result in further legal consequences.
Citations
Taylor, De’Anthony (February 4, 2025). Uber driver accused in Plano child sex assault ditches ankle monitor, caught in Houston. NBC DFW. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/uber-driver-in-texas-sex-assault-caught-in-houston-after-ditching-ankle-monitor/3759187/
