BOSTON (WHDH) - A Boston restaurant owner who police had considered “armed and dangerous” was taken into custody Friday just over one week after a brazen shooting in the North End, police announced.
The Boston Police Department said officers assigned to its Fugitive Unit arrested Patrick Mendoza, 54, at a Cape Cod rehab facility in connection with the shooting on Wednesday, July 12. Mendoza was arraigned following his arrest and was ordered held without bail.
The shooting last week left a bullet hole in the window of Modern Pastry on Hanover Street and led to a warrant being issued for Mendoza’s arrest on charges that included:
- Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (Gun)
- Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon
- Assault and Battery
Video from the night of the shooting obtained by 7NEWS showed a man who police say was Mendoza as he rode up on a bicycle and opened fire on another man. The victim could be seen running away after taking cover behind a nearby vehicle. No injuries were reported.
Mendoza did not show his face as he was arraigned on the aforementioned charges in a Boston courtroom, where the prosecution revealed new details in the case.
“[He] fired multiple shots at this individual, stating ‘it’s going to be quick, I’m going to kill you,” prosecutor Daniel Nucci told the court.
“There are no conditions of release that can ensure the safety of the alleged victim or the community at whole,” Nucci said.
Mendoza is due back in court for a pre-trial detention hearing scheduled for next week on Wednesday, July 26.
Mendoza owns Monica’s Trattoria in the North End. His arrest came after Boston’s licensing board met to review his behavior since his name is on Monica’s liquor license.
At the meeting Thursday night, the chair of the licensing board said the fact that someone was evading the law and running Monica’s was concerning.
A lawyer representing the family said they have been working to switch who is in charge of the license. The board went on to request that all information regarding who was to take over the business and license be submitted by Friday.
In court Friday at least a dozen people gathered in support of Mendoza.
“I’m supporting the Mendoza family,” one person said. “Thank you.”
Court documents reveal suspect had long-running feud with man he’s accused of shooting at
Court documents obtained on Friday revealed Mendoza and the man he is accused of shooting at had a long-running feud that may have led up to the shooting.
Hours before the incident last Wednesday, documents say Mendoza and the man were in court following a run-in four years ago.
In 2019, the victim told Boston police Mendoza struck him in the head with a glass bottle after a traffic dispute with Mendoza’s brother.
According to the paperwork, Mendoza pulled out a knife during the attack and the victim kicked Mendoza so he wouldn’t “get poked.” The victim said he was able to get away.
One year later, Mendoza was charged with armed robbery in a separate case as a man accused Mendoza of threatening him with a switchblade and stealing his phone in the North End.
Mendoza was found guilty in the 2019 case was on probation until July 12, the day of the shooting outside Modern Pastry.
Because Mendoza violated his probation, his attorney on Friday did not have any way of getting him out of jail.
“There’s not a lot that I can say to you that’s going to be able to argue bail,” said attorney Rosemary Scapicchio. “So, I understand the court’s position. I understand the Commonwealth’s position.”
Mendoza’s family had no comment when approached outside court.
Suspect in shooting arrested in Falmouth
Mendoza was arrested just after 8 a.m. Friday at a 50-bed inpatient detox facility in Falmouth.
7NEWS later spoke with the town’s police chief about how local officers worked with Boston police to take Mendoza into custody.
“It all went very well,” said chief Jeffrey Lourie.
Officials said Mendoza was arrested without incident after being released from the Gosnold Treatment Center.
Police had an arrest warrant in hand and authorities knew Mendoza had access to a weapon.
Lourie said he believed Boston officers came to Falmouth on Thursday and set up surveillance before making the arrest.
“With certain facilities, there are HIPPA laws where certain information can’t be shared, but we just wanted to make sure everyone was safe,” Lourie said.
Officials with the treatment center declined to speak on camera about when Mendoza arrived and who notified police that he was there.
Instead, officials issued a brief written statement explaining “Gosnold Treatment Center was legally prohibited to disclose that Patrick Mendoza was a patient in its care in accordance with federal regulations.”
“Gosnold is grateful that this situation was resolved without incident,” the statement continued.
Lourie, in turn, said Falmouth police were happy to assist.
“We were just there to assist them,” he said. “They provided us with some information and Boston PD handled the arrest.”
Lourie emphasized this was an isolated incident on the Cape and no residents were ever in any danger.
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