SCHERTZ, Texas – An alleged attempted abduction in an H-E-B Plus parking lot landed Zachary Schultz, 24, in the Guadalupe County Jail charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping Thursday. He is being held under a $100,000 bond.
Lt. John Correu, Schertz police spokesman, said Schultz is in custody thanks to an alert mother, her 14-year-old daughter who struggled with him and the witnesses who got his license plate before he drove away.
The arrest warrant affidavit describes after spotting Schultz nearby, the mother who was loading groceries, told her daughter to get in the car. But before she could, Schultz allegedly approached the teenager.
Correu said that Schultz “grabbed her by the shoulders and by all witness accounts, attempted to drag her to his vehicle parked next to theirs.”
The affidavit states the suspect and the girl struggled as they fell to the ground, but that’s when her mother intervened, running over to help her daughter.
Correu said as Schultz and the girl’s mother fought, “She was knocked down to the ground. She got back up and began pulling at the suspect’s shirt.”
He said that was enough to scare away the suspect who then got into a red Kia and sped away.
Correu said it took less than an hour to take Schultz into custody at his house in Schertz. The affidavit states Schultz had parked the red Kia one street over from his home in an attempt to avoid arrest, but he was still wearing the same clothes described by witnesses. He gave no explanation or a motive.
He said because of the violence during incident, Schultz is charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping. Schultz had minor run-ins with the law, including charges of theft and criminal mischief.
Schultz faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted of the latest, much more serious charge, Correu said.
The Schertz police spokesman said what allegedly occurred, was a random act. He said Schultz had no connection to the young girl and her mother.
He said besides interviewing witnesses, detectives are reviewing surveillance video of the incident. Correu said it was not related to any recent reports of alleged abductions in the San Antonio area.
“H-E-B does not tolerate any criminal behavior on our property,” said Dya Campos, the grocery giant’s corporate spokeswoman. “H-E-B security worked closely and swiftly with the Schertz Police Department to assist in capturing the suspect immediately.”