HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A convicted felon is in the Harris County Jail after he is accused of violently carjacking an 83-year-old woman as she finished loading groceries in North Harris County last week.
Lydia Sanchez, who has gone to the La Michoacana off Aldine Mail Route several times a week for years, is still in a lot of pain after the attack on Thursday.
In addition to her car, the suspect stole her purse which contained credit cards and thousands of dollars in cash she intended to deposit.
As she tried to leave the store, she said in Spanish that the man she had never seen before appeared and wouldn’t let her try to close her car door.
The two tousled as she fought back, kicking and biting him, but that didn’t stop him.
He pulled her out of the car, she said, leaving her in the parking lot with injuries to her ribs, leg, and hand.
He took off and an ambulance responded to help her.
Surveillance video later showed the suspect arriving at a location not far from the market while driving her car.
Overnight, the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Quinton Montgomery, was arrested.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he’s being charged with aggravated robbery in the carjacking case.
Update #2: In addition to the charges listed below, these new charges are being added: felon in possession of a weapon, tampering with evidence, and Aggravated Robbery (at a gas station). This Agg Robbery is separate from the one involving the older adult. https://t.co/cPnPj05a85
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) April 2, 2024
But Montgomery also had open warrants for aggravated assault of a family member and burglary.
Montgomery appeared in probable cause court on those outstanding warrants Tuesday, when a hearing officer said he’s considered a true habitual felon.
Records show he has a criminal history in Harris County dating back to 2005, with convictions for assault, robbery, burglary and theft.
Sanchez is now aware of his history and even though she has her Dodge Caliber back, she doesn’t understand why Montgomery was on the streets.
She said she thinks it’s wonderful that he’s been caught because that way he can’t hurt anyone else. Her son told KPRC 2 the stolen money hasn’t been recovered.
Sheriff Gonzalez posted on X that Montgomery is also being charged for an unrelated gas station aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, and felon in possession of a weapon. Investigators are also looking into whether he may be connected to any other pending cases.
Records show he’s being held without bond on at least one charge that he had been wanted for.