WHITE PLAINS, Md. — A 42-year-old man from White Plains was arrested following a burglary in progress on February 28, 2025, after he broke into a home while armed with two large knives.
Patrol officers responded to the 9200 block of Kris Drive after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, they saw residents fleeing from the house. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as Michael Santa Mendez, initially approached a woman standing outside a home and asked if he could enter. He was armed with two large knives at the time.
The woman told Mendez to leave, causing him to drop the knives before running to a nearby house. There, he forcibly entered the home and began breaking items inside. The occupants of the house fled and called 9-1-1.
Officers quickly established a perimeter around the area and managed to deescalate the situation, with Mendez surrendering without further incident.
Mendez was charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, and malicious destruction of property. On March 1, 2025, he was released on personal recognizance by a district court commissioner. Officer Giroux is handling the ongoing investigation.
