Ukiah Gas Station Robbed Sunday Afternoon
Suspect threatened to shoot clerk
A Ukiah man allegedly threatened to shoot a gas station employee during a Sunday afternoon incident on Lovers Lane, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the suspect entered the Chevron Gas Station around 1:30 p.m. on April 19 and became involved in a verbal altercation with a store employee. During the confrontation, the man allegedly made threats to shoot the employee while keeping his hand near his waist, implying he may have been armed.
The employee, a 37-year-old Ukiah resident, told deputies he feared for his safety as the suspect took merchandise from the store. Based on those circumstances, investigators determined the theft was carried out through threats and intimidation.
After reviewing surveillance footage, deputies identified the suspect as Joseph Mendoza, 37, of Ukiah. Officials said Mendoza was on active probation at the time of the incident.
Deputies initially searched for Mendoza at his residence in the 1600 block of Lovers Lane but did not locate him. When they returned later that afternoon, around 4:40 p.m., they detained him without incident.
According to the sheriff’s office, Mendoza made statements that corroborated the employee’s account. Deputies also recovered many of the stolen items after Mendoza consented to a search of his residence.
Mendoza was arrested on suspicion of robbery, second-degree burglary, and violating probation. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail.