When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by ABC13 Houston and curated for The Woodlands readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Tony Atkins at ABC13 Houston.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more safety coverage from The Woodlands, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

safety

Carjacking victim says he called 911 while trapped in car with suspect, who asked him for directions

Summary by The Woodlands Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Tony Atkins, ABC13 Houston · July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

ABC13 spoke exclusively with the victim, who said that while trapped in the car with the armed man, he was able to call police while giving the suspect directions.

Why this matters in The Woodlands

The fatal shooting of John Mendoza Jr. by a Brazoria County deputy will be reviewed by a grand jury, a process that will be closely watched by communities across the greater Houston area, including The Woodlands. While the incident occurred in Lake Jackson, the implications of police use of force and accountability resonate throughout the region. Residents of The Woodlands, who are served by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, may be interested in the outcome of this review, as it could inform discussions about law enforcement protocols and community relationships in their own area. The Woodlands Township and local law enforcement agencies may also be prompted to review their own procedures and training in light of this incident, to ensure that similar situations are handled with the utmost care and transparency.

About this story

Original reporting by ABC13 Houston. The Woodlands surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit ABC13 Houston. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: ABC13 Houston · Reading time: 1 min

This preview is provided by The Woodlands News. Full article available at .

Summary created by	The Woodlands Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Tony Atkins, ABC13 Houston
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Carjacking victim says he called 911 while trapped in car with suspect, who asked him for directions

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