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San Jose Woman Charged With Hate After Assaulting McDonald’s Employee

2 mins read

San Jose authorities charged a 40-year-old female resident with a hate crime on Wednesday after allegedly going on a racist rant on a Mountain View McDonald’s employee and the manager after she refused to wear a face mask when repeatedly asked.

The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office said that the suspect, Alena Jenkins, faced hate crime and a battery charge. Both of the crimes are considered misdemeanors. She will be arraigned on Wednesday at the Hall of Justice.

Racist Attack

“Targeting people because of their perceived ethnicity is not just a shame, it’s a crime. There is no excuse for hatred,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning when Jenkins went inside the fast-food chain while not wearing a mask. McDonald’s had a COVID-19 guideline that required customers to wear a face mask.

After one employee repeatedly asked Jenkins to wear facial covering, she refused and called the employee with racial slurs. “**** Mexican! Go ahead and call the cops!” she said.

The suspect then shoved a COVID plexiglass shield and a sign at the employee after they tried to call the authorities. The store manager then came in and requested for the customer to leave the store.

Jenkins walked around the front counter, yelling, “stupid Mexican” at the manager. She then assaulted the victim with her fist, focusing on the arm and shoulder, CBS Local reported.

Police later arrived at the scene where Jenkins continued to express racial slurs. “Dumb Mexicans who don’t know how to speak English,” she said.

Danielle Joyce Ong

Danielle is a local journalist with a passion for exploring stories related to crime and politics. When Danielle isn't busy writing or reading, she is usually exploring the great outdoors and all the hiking trails in the Bay.