Homeless man sexually assaulted, stabbed teen girl, say Dallas police

(CBS) DALLAS, Texas - A homeless man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting, stabbing and leaving a 17-year-old girl for dead behind a furniture store.

CBSDFW reports authorities say 59-year-old Tommy Robinson dragged the teen behind a dumpster around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, then carried out the attack. 

The victim was in critical, but stable, condition  Wednesday night. 

Dallas police spokesman Lt. David Pughes said the girl was walking to a bus stop on her way to school when she was attacked. 

More than an hour after the assault, an employee from the furniture store found the 17-year-old lying behind the dumpster as he took out a bag of trash and called 911.

"It was devastating," said store owner Ray Quintanilla, who stayed with the girl until paramedics arrived. "Her eyes said it all. We called for an ambulance. She was in bad shape."

Detectives say the teenager's bravery and detailed description of her attacker led to the arrest. Police brought in a canine unit, and a dog tracked the suspect's scent to a block away from the crime scene.

Pughes said Robinson was arrested while bathing in a creek, reportedly washing blood off his body.

Surveillance video from a nearby liquor store may aid in the investigation. According to the time stamp, a man is seen chasing what appears to be a young schoolgirl at 7:36 a.m.

Residents in the area describe Robinson as homeless and police say he has a criminal background including assault and domestic violence.