Originally published as a Riverside Police Department Facebook post –
“Yesterday evening just after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24th, officers responded to the Circle K convenience store in Orangecrest at Van Buren Boulevard and Wood Road for a strong arm robbery that just occurred. When the first officer arrived, he spotted the described female suspect still in the parking lot. The suspect noticed the officer then fled on foot briefly until he caught up. While attempting to arrest her, the suspect fought with the officer, even biting his hand, but she was safely taken into custody.
Their investigation revealed this female suspect is a local transient who frequently commits thefts at this store. This time, she stole a 3-pack of beer, a hot sauce bottle, and a soda from the fountain dispenser before trying to walk out without paying again. As the clerk confronted her at the door, the suspect fought then threw the full soda at the clerk before fleeing.
Blanca Mendez, a 42-year-old transient in Riverside, was arrested and later booked into jail for robbery, resisting arrest using violence, and giving false information to a peace officer. She is currently being held on $30,000 bail.”
