Female Bounty Hunters Pursue Wanted Man Behind Whataburger

A wanted man with warrants in at least two counties, including Tom Green, as well as The City of San Angelo, fled from two female bounty hunters behind Whataburger Wednesday. The incident happened just after the lunchtime crowds had cleared, and a chase ensued behind Whataburger, The Smiling Moose, and Freebirds on Sherwood Way at 1:34 p.m.

According to Deputy Jerimie Fry of the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Department, he and another officer, Deputy Ian Rook were inside the Whataburger on Sherwood Way when they observed two women chasing a Hispanic man on foot.

Upon exiting the establishment, Deputy Fry heard one of the women chasing the man yell, “He has a felony warrant,” as she pointed towards the fleeing suspect. The two deputies immediately assisted and gave chase northbound through The Commons shopping center parking lot on foot. Deputy Fry gave multiple verbal commands for Mendoza to stop, identifying himself with the sheriff’s department, to which Mendoza simply turned to look back and continued running.

Deputy Fry pursued Mendoza through the parking lot towards Arden Rd. and then back towards Sherwood Way where Fry was able to close the distance and capture Mendoza behind the Cash Store, forcing him to the ground.

As Deputy Fry attempted to handcuff the suspect's left wrist, he continued to resist. Deputy Rook assisted by forcing the suspect's left shoulder and head towards the ground and placing his left wrist behind his back where Fry placed the handcuffs on the man.

At that time Deputy Fry says that Mendoza appeared to be short of breath and complained about not being able to breath. Blood was observed coming from the suspect's right elbow and the right side of his head.  The deputies requested medical assistance.

There were three people chasing the suspect, and deputies identified all as bondsmen from Brady who worked for Elk Bail Bonds. They were Carl and Melissa Monkhouse and Stephanie Martine.  Carl Monkhouse said that the suspect, Robert Mendoza Jr., 29, had multiple warrants for his arrest, and that his bond had been revoked for not showing up to his court hearings.

During the course of Mendoza’s arrest, deputies discovered that not only did he have warrants in Brown County for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, but six in Tom Green County and 14 in San Angelo as well.

Mendoza’s warrants in Tom Green County are for previous convictions including evading arrest, resisting arrest, two for driving while license invalid with previous convictions, and failure to identify fugitive with intent to give false information.    

Mendoza was transported to Shannon Medical Center where he was cleared of his injuries before being booked into the Tom Green County Jail.

He was among the 27 inmates booked in to the Tom Green County Jail on Wednesday. Mendoza was charged with evading and resisting arrest.

On the flip side, 28 inmates were released from the TGCJ.