San Rafael, CA – On 12/29/18, at 12:30 PM, CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit took Shalom Mendoza into custody.  Agents acted on a report from an observant civilian who reported seeing Mendoza.  Mendoza was then arrested at a Paso Robles Taco Bell restaurant without incident.

San Rafael Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the area after receiving a notification that the stolen vehicle had been located abandoned on southbound US-101 just north of Paso Robles.  

Based on evidence that was located in the carjacked vehicle and in Shalom Mendoza’s possession, San Rafael Police was able to confirm that he was the suspect that stole the vehicle.  

Back on 12/26/18, at 9:17 PM, It was reported that Shalom Mendoza approached a female victim at the Home Depot parking lot.  Mendoza held what appeared to be a weapon or a gun under his T-shirt and threatened to shoot and kill the victim if she did not turn over the keys to her car.  The victim cooperated with Mendoza and surrendered her keys.  Mendoza allowed the victim to retrieve her small dog before he drove away and fled in the victim’s vehicle.  The victim was not physically harmed during the confrontation.

Later at 9:31 PM, Mendoza drove the stolen vehicle westbound on Interstate 80 and went through the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza, which was captured on toll plaza surveillance video.  After passing through the Bay Bridge, Mendoza and the vehicle had not been seen for nearly two days.

The San Rafael Police worked with allied agencies including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  SRPD is appreciative of the assistance of our law enforcement partners and the public who helped bring this case to a successful close. 

Charges of felony carjacking and escape will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office.  Mendoza will be transported and held at the California Men’s Colony.