A Fort Worth family is speaking out after the attempted kidnapping of a 63-year-old woman outside her workplace in the West 7th District on July 30.
Eloisa Montanez was just leaving the Dollar Tree, located at 367 Carroll St. in Montgomery Plaza, when a man came up behind her and covered her face and mouth, the victim’s daughter said.
“She felt scared at the time,” Ana Cervantes told the Star-Telegram in a phone interview Tuesday. “She couldn’t react, like … he was so big.”
The stranger wrapped his arm around Montanez’s legs and tried to carry her behind the store, Cervantes said. Thankfully Montanez’s husband arrived to pick her up from work. He ran to help his wife, and the attacker fled into a nearby store.
A security guard called 911. Officers arrived quickly and located the suspect, but he became combative when they tried to take him into custody, police said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
“Officers Butz and Martinez, who both sustained minor injuries, were able to swiftly apprehend the violent offender, preventing his escape and potentially protecting others from further violent criminal acts,” the post reads.
Johntay Burgess is currently being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $130,000 bond, according to court records. He’s been charged with kidnapping, resisting arrest and two counts of assault on a peace officer. Police said he also faces a charge of indecent exposure after allegedly exposing himself in front of a business shortly before the attempted kidnapping.
It’s not clear if Burgess has obtained an attorney to represent him.
Not the first time
Police say this isn’t Burgess’ first offense. He was arrested June 10 on an attempted kidnapping charge and indicted on June 22. Court records show he’s accused of grabbing a woman from behind and trying to put duct tape over her mouth.
According to court records, Burgess’ bond was set at $5,000 in that case, and he was released.
Police also believe he was involved in an attempted kidnapping on June 29 outside the Salsa Limón restaurant at 925 University Drive, a department spokesperson said in an email. It doesn’t appear that he was arrested or charged in connection with that incident.
Montanez wasn’t injured, but Cervantes said her 63-year-old mother was left traumatized after her narrow escape outside Dollar Tree. The family hopes the suspect remains behind bars this time.
“I don’t know why they let him out and just let him keep going and doing what he’s doing,” she said. “I mean, does he need to sexually assault somebody for him to be locked up?”
Cervantes said what happened to her mom is a reminder to be on guard, even in areas that appear safe.
“I just want people to be aware of their surroundings,” Cervantes said. “To look around, and you know, just be more alert because you just never know who could be around you.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2026 at 2:16 PM.
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Harriet Ramos covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.