Good Samaritan Protects Santa Cruz Shop Owner From Violent Attack

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A Good Samaritan who risked his personal safety over the weekend to help a Santa Cruz shop owner has been honored with the police department's Chief's Commendation and Challenge Coin.

Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Ocean Street, the Good Samaritan—who prefers to remain anonymous—witnessed a man hitting the business owner multiple times in the face, Santa Cruz police said. The Good Samaritan immediately came to the owner's assistance and tackled the suspect to the ground and held him there until officers arrived, police said.

When officers got on scene, they found the suspect, Jose Mendoza, 25, from San Jose, detained by the Good Samaritan, police said. Mendoza is a violent parolee who also left his 5-year-old child in an idling car outside the shop while he assaulted the owner, police said.

Mendoza was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and damaging a communication device with intent to prevent help.

Police were so impressed by the civilian's actions that he was recommended for the Chief's Commendation and Challenge Coin. "This community hero took the rare action of inserting himself into a situation with inherent danger and risk to his safety to help someone in need," said Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills.