Crime & Safety
Transit Officer Stops Sexual Assault
The attack occurred at the Metro Center at 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
A Santa Cruz Metro security officer who heard a shout of "No!" at 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the Santa Cruz Metro transit center downtown, reportedly stopped a sexual assault in progress.
The officer said he found Kivet Mendoza, 21, from Morgan Hill, holding a female victim against a wall and heard her say "Stop" as Mendoza saw him attempt to touch her inappropriately.
Mendoza reportedly threatened to stab the officer as he tried to control the scene, and he reached into his right front pocket. The officer wrestled Mendoza to the ground, handcuffed him and held him until Santa Cruz Police officers arrived.
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Officers said the two had met at a house party and were going to take a bus to the victim's house, when Mendoza began assaulting her.
Mendoza was booked on charges of sexual battery, criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon.
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