Mendez
A Riviera Beach man’s attempt to flee a law-enforcement officer last week proved unsuccessful as damage to the hood of his car forced him to stop, police said.
Carlos Mendez, 29, is facing charges that include fleeing the scene of an accident, fleeing to elude and driving without a license after his arrest by Riviera Beach Police on Wednesday night. A city police officer was patrolling in the 7200 block of North Military Trail, just south of Blue Heron Boulevard, when Mendez improperly backed a Ford Focus into the officer’s patrol car, according to a police arrest report.
Mendez refused to stop as the officer activated lights and sirens. He allegedly made a U-turn and traveled south on Military before stopping in the 7600 block. Police say that Mendez crashed into another vehicle just before he backed into the police officer’s car.
Damage from the initial crash caused the hood of Mendez’s car to become unhinged and blocked his view, police said.
Mendez got out and tried to run, but was quickly apprehended. He was taken to JFK Medical Center North in West Palm Beach for medical clearance, then taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.
