SAN MARCOS POLICE DEPARTMENT
License plate recognition technology locates vehicle returning to San Marcos
San Marcos Police have arrested Patrick Mendoza, 31, in connection with the sexually motivated crimes at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Mill Street.
At approximately 2:27 a.m. on Nov. 8, officers were alerted to Mendoza’s return to San Marcos through license plate recognition technology. Detectives had already identified Mendoza as the primary suspect during their investigation and were collaborating with probation officers in Bexar County, where Mendoza is currently on probation for previous charges related to indecent exposure.
Upon arriving at the apartment complex and establishing a perimeter, officers located Mendoza hiding in bushes. According to police on scene, Mendoza attempted to flee, first on foot and then in a vehicle. After a vehicle pursuit, Mendoza was taken into custody just before 3 a.m. Evidence related to the reported incidents has been seized.
“I am thankful that our city has leveraged technology to assist in combating violent crimes. This technology resulted in the quick apprehension of a violent offender,” San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said. “The department will continue to work with the victims and we ask that anyone with knowledge of Mendoza or these incidents to please contact us.”
Mendoza is currently in the Hays County jail on charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony, sexual assault, indecent assault, felony evading in a motor vehicle, two counts of evading on foot, and possession of marijuana. Collectively, the bonds on his criminal charges add up to $378,000.
The incidents leading up to Mendoza’s arrest involved several sexually motivated crimes that occurred at the apartment complex on Mill Street.
A female resident of the apartment complex reported to police that she received a video from a neighbor on Oct. 31 that appeared to show an unknown person looking into her bedroom window. In the video, the unknown person appeared to look into the victim’s bedroom, while the victim was inside and partially undressed, for several seconds before running away.
Just before 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, a resident in a different building of the apartment complex reported seeing a male outside of a ground floor apartment window. The male appeared to be watching a female resident who was sitting at a desk while the blinds were open. Officers responded to the scene and did not locate anyone outside of the resident’s building. During a further search of the area, officers heard noises nearby and saw a male. Officers gave the male commands to stop, but the subject ran away through the complex and officers were not able to locate him.
Later on Nov. 1, San Marcos Police received additional reports from residents at the apartment complex. In one of the reports, a female victim told officers she was asleep with her boyfriend in his bedroom when she was awakened between 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. by an unknown male standing next to the bed and touching her inappropriately. The victim told police the male ran out of the room after she woke up and moved. A second victim was asleep with her boyfriend on the couch in the same apartment unit and told police she was also awakened by an unknown male between 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. who was touching her inappropriately. The second victim told police that when she woke up, the male ran out of the back door of the apartment unit and jumped off the back patio.
The San Marcos Police Department continues to urge all residents to report suspicious activity immediately and to ensure doors and windows are secured.
For more information or to provide tips, please contact the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 512-753-2300.
