Hollister Police officers responded April 29 to a report of a person vandalizing a local business and ultimately arrested the suspect after a violent confrontation with an officer, authorities said.
At 5:57am, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of East Park Street regarding an intoxicated individual who was attempting to break business windows using large river rocks, says a press release from the Hollister Police Department. Sgt. Bo Leland, who was close by, arrived on scene within minutes and located the suspect actively armed with two large rocks.
Upon contact, the suspect, identified as Julio Mendoza, 46, a transient from Hollister, immediately assumed an aggressive posture toward Leland, police said. Despite repeated commands to drop the rocks and get on the ground, Mendoza refused to comply. Instead, he threw two grapefruit-sized rocks at the sergeant in an apparent attempt to cause serious injury. Leland narrowly avoided being struck.
In response, Leland used his department-issued taser; however, it was ineffective, police said. The encounter escalated to a physical struggle when Leland moved in to take the suspect into custody.
During the altercation, Mendoza actively resisted arrest, bit Leland on the arm and tried to gain control of the sergeant’s weapons, says the press release.
Leland continued to engage and restrain the suspect until more Hollister PD officers and deputies from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist in safely taking Mendoza into custody. The swift response and coordinated effort prevented further escalation, according to police.
The investigation determined that about $5,000 in damage was caused to a nearby business in the period before officers arrived.
Both Leland and Mendoza were transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital for treatment of injuries suffered during the incident, police said. Both have since been released, and Leland is expected to make a full recovery and return to duty.
“This incident underscores the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of police work,” said Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso. “Our officers are routinely placed in rapidly evolving situations where they must make critical decisions to protect themselves and the public.
“We are fortunate that this incident did not result in more serious injuries, and I commend Sergeant Leland and the responding personnel for their professionalism and restraint in safely resolving a highly volatile situation.”
Mendoza was booked at the San Benito County Jail on charges including assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, attempting to disarm a peace officer and other related offenses, says the press release.
