A woman has been arrested on suspicion of a hate crime after she hit an employee of a business and made racial epithets about the employees.

Just before 7 am on Saturday, March 20, officers responded to the McDonald's, located on the 900 block of El Monte Avenue, for reports that an individual was refusing to leave the business.

When officers arrived, they were told by employees that a woman, identified as 40-year-old Alena Jenkins, had hit an employee and had made several remarks towards the employees degrading their ethnicity. She allegedly made similar disparaging statements about the employee’s ethnicity that she hit. The employee that was struck is Latino. Jenkins also made similar statements in front of officers on scene. 

Officers ensured the individual who was hit on their upper body was not injured, and the employee also refused medical attention. 

Jenkins, a transient, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a hate crime, battery, and for violation of her probation. She was transported to the Santa Clara County Jail.

“We will continue to hold those that commit crimes against others, simply based on their race, accountable,” said Chief Chris Hsiung. “As I have said before, hate has no place in this community.”

Media inquiries can be sent to PIO Katie Nelson at policepio@mountainview.gov.