Patrick Mendoza, the restaurant owner accused of shooting at a man in front of a popular North End bakery last week and then pedaling away on a bicycle, was arrested at a rehab center in Falmouth and then brought to Boston.
Police arrested Mendoza, 54, Friday — more than a week after the July 12 North End shooting. The arrest report confirms that the Boston Police Fugitive Unit, assisted by the Falmouth PD, arrested him at an address matching the Gosnold Treatment Center, which describes its work as “end-to-end continuum of care for behavioral health and substance use disorders through a wide range of comprehensive treatment options.” The clinic is located in a beautiful building adjacent to the Beebe Woods and not that far from Hamlin Point on the coast.
“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,” George K. Regan, Jr., a Center spokesman, told the Herald.
Mendoza faces charges including assault to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, intimidating a witness, and three charges related to unlawful possession of a gun. Coffey ordered him detained until a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Mendoza was allowed to remain behind the door of the detention area next to the Boston Municipal Court courtroom for his 2 p.m. arraignment Friday. His attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, spoke and entered not guilty pleas on his behalf at the arraignment before Judge James W. Coffey. The judge ordered Mendoza detained until a detention hearing he set for Wednesday.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Nucci said that it was the final day of Mendoza’s probation for a previous incident between Mendoza and the man he allegedly shot at, who police reports identify as Rocco Giovanello, 60. Court and police records indicate at least tree previous altercations between the two men, whose relationship dates back 20 years.
“This is a very serious offense and the Commonwealth would be seeking detention,” Nucci said.
Witnesses of the incident described a nearly Wild West-esque confrontation in front of the tourist hot spot Modern Pastry in the 200-block of Hanover Street at around 10:30 that Wednesday night, but with the alleged assailant — who a witness described as looking “homeless” — pedaling a bike.
“I’m gonna kill you mother (expletive)! It’s gonna be quick,” Mendoza allegedly yelled at the target of his ire — a man he has a rather extensive history with, including at least three incidents documented in court, according to a police report.
According to two police reports summarizing interviews with witnesses, Mendoza had some more colorful things to say as he turned his bike around toward the man, then dropped the bike in the street and pulled out a snub-nosed .38 revolver from his waistband.
A Modern Pastry employee told police that he heard “one loud popping sound, similar to fireworks” and saw the suspect he described as a 5-foot-8, skinny white male take off on his bike, gun in hand, toward Cross Street.
The alleged victim said that two shots rang out as he dove behind a Jeep parked in front of Modern Pastry for cover, and that “one of the shots narrowly missed him and impacted the front window of Modern Pastry.”
As Mendoza pedaled off, the alleged victim told police he was “running for my life” toward the Greenway when he came across a police officer and shared his story.
Mendoza is the only listed officer for the corporate entity “Monica’s Trattoria on Prince, Inc.,” behind the namesake North End Italian restaurant, according to records filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This corporate entity began in 2017 with the voluntary dissolution of the former managing entity “Monica’s Trattoria Inc.,” in which Patrick Mendoza was only the listed treasurer, with Jorge Mendoza listed as president.
As the Herald reported, the city Licensing Board is weighing whether Monica’s Trattoria should remain open with its manager charged with such serious felonies. He did not appear for a scheduled Thursday meeting to review his “character and fitness” as licensee and manager of record for the business.
