Lubbock Man Accused of Grocery Store Bathroom Sexual Assault

29-year-old Judah Hew allegedly assaulted a woman in the women's restroom before being detained by bystanders.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, discarded piece of toilet paper on a tiled bathroom floor, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a sexual assault in a public restroom.A chilling reminder of the violation that occurred, this stark image captures the aftermath of a disturbing crime and the need for heightened security in public spaces.Lubbock Today

A Lubbock man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a woman inside the women's restroom of a local grocery store. According to police, 29-year-old Judah Hew was allegedly waiting in the next stall when the victim entered the bathroom, and he then assaulted her before fleeing, only to be detained by bystanders who chased him down.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of sexual violence and the need for increased safety measures, especially in public spaces. The grocery store has stated they are reviewing their security protocols in response to the attack.

The details

Police were called to the Amigos grocery store location on North University Avenue around 2:27 pm on April 7th. Court documents state that Hew was already inside the women's restroom when the victim arrived, and he asked her for toilet paper before crawling under the stall divider. Hew then allegedly assaulted the victim, took her phone, and fled the scene, but was detained by several bystanders who chased him down until police arrived. Hew admitted to the assault when questioned by officers.

  • The incident occurred around 2:27 pm on April 7, 2026 at the Amigos grocery store in Lubbock, Texas.
  • Hew was arrested on April 7, 2026 following the assault.

The players

Judah Hew

A 29-year-old Lubbock resident who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the grocery store bathroom.

Amigos

The local grocery store chain where the assault took place, which has stated they are increasing security measures in response to the incident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“At Amigos, the safety of our guests and team members is our top priority. We are aware of the incident that occurred in our store yesterday, and our hearts and thoughts are with those affected. We are increasing our security measures and cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation.”

— Amigos

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to grant bail for Judah Hew at a hearing scheduled for next week.

The takeaway

This disturbing incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and security measures in public spaces to protect the safety of all community members. The grocery store's commitment to reviewing its protocols is a positive step, but broader societal efforts are required to address the root causes of sexual violence.