FORT WORTH, Texas - A 23-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap a woman outside a Fort Worth Dollar Tree before being quickly apprehended by responding police officers.
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, officers responded at approximately Thursday morning, July 30, to a reported kidnapping in progress at the Dollar Tree in the 2600 block of West Seventh Street.
The preliminary investigation determined that a female employee was leaving the store when a man approached her from behind, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off the ground, covered her mouth and attempted to carry her away against her will.
The woman's husband, who was waiting nearby in his vehicle, witnessed the attack and immediately rushed to help. A security officer working in the area also saw the incident and followed the suspect while providing real-time updates to 911 dispatchers.
Officers assigned to the Fort Worth Police Department's Missing Persons Unit were monitoring radio traffic from a nearby office and responded immediately, arriving within moments of the call.
Police said officers located the suspect, identified themselves and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect became combative, requiring a second officer to assist as he continued resisting arrest.
Investigators also determined the suspect had allegedly exposed himself outside a nearby business just moments before the attempted kidnapping.
The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Johntay Burgess.
The victim was not physically injured during the attempted abduction.
Officers Butz and Martinez sustained minor injuries while arresting Burgess. Police said their swift response prevented the suspect from escaping and may have protected others from additional violent criminal acts.
Burgess faces charges related to the attempted kidnapping and the ongoing investigation.
