San Jacinto domestic violence related standoff leads to man’s arrest

October 27, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

SAN JACINTO, Calif., — Authorities say a domestic violence related assault led to a barricaded standoff that eventually ended with the apprehension of a local man at a San Jacinto residence Tuesday, Oct. 26.

The standoff, which lasted a bit longer than an hour, happened at a private residence in the 600 block of South Rosario Avenue, between Main and S. 7th streets.

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Deputies from the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the scene around 11:15 a.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a domestic violence incident, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Ken Hoon has since said of the incident and arrest.

While deputies were beginning their investigation the suspect, later identified as Raul Lucas Mendez, 38, of San Jacinto, barricaded himself inside his residence and refused to cooperate with deputies at the scene.

A Sheriff’s SWAT member is seen taking up a tactical position during a standoff that followed after a domestic violence related incident in San Jacinto yesterday afternoon. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

During the subsequent standoff, “Mendez made multiple statements he was armed and going to shoot deputies,” Hoon described; saying the threats led to additional resources including SWAT members and a Sheriff’s helicopter being summoned to the location.

The call for assistance and additional resources brought deputies, investigators and others from throughout the San Jacinto valley, and heavily armed officials could be seen taking up tactical positions surrounding the home while the neighborhood and surrounding streets were cordoned off.

Deputies attempted to make contact with Mendez over the next hour, as the Sheriff’s aviation crew circled overhead making repeated announcements on their PA system for area residents to remain inside their homes with their doors locked.

According to witnesses, at around 12:30 p.m., deputies made contact with Mendez as he came out of his home with his hands raised. He was quickly taken into custody without further incident, according to Hoon.

After Mendez’ apprehension, investigators authored and obtained a search warrant, which was then served at Mendez’ residence, according to the Sergeant; who said one handgun, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Mendez was later booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, child endangerment, being under the influence of controlled substance, and narcotics addict in possession of firearm.

Online jail records indicate he remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail or bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at an unspecified court Oct. 28.

Alexis Castro, who lives at the home with her family and Mendez, later said she called 911 and reported the domestic violence because she felt her mother and younger brothers were in danger due to her stepfather’s drug fueled violence.

“This is my house and I thank God I called the cops on my stepdad because my mom and my little brothers were at risk,” Castro explained after Mendez’ arrest; saying that she hopes her stepfather realizes what he did and how meth is ruining his family and his life.

“It breaks my heart, but he deserves this,” she added.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Corporal Daugherty at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I212990026 and can remain anonymous.

Click any photo to open full-size gallery.

Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photos above, video below.

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Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.