California Agency Recognizes Good Samaritan for Detaining Assault Suspect

The Santa Cruz (CA) Police Department has awarded an anonymous Good Samaritan—who intervened when an alleged assault occurred on a local store owner—a Chief's Commendation and Challenge Coin.

The agency posted a picture on Facebook saying that officers responded to calls of an assault on the shopkeeper and his son, and upon arrival discovered that the alleged attacker was already in custody at the hands of the Good Samaritan.

The post read, "Our Samaritan, who prefers to remain anonymous, witnessed the suspect hitting the business owner multiple times in the face. He immediately came to the owner's assistance and tackled the suspect to the ground and held him there until officers arrived."

The subject—identified as Jose Mendoza—has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and damaging a communication device with intent to prevent help.