August 23, 2009: Police arrested Alexis Mendoza, 27, of Lancaster, shortly after he robbed a Rite Aid Pharmacy at knifepoint on the 800 block of E. Chestnut Street on Saturday morning.

Witnesses and victims told police that a masked man entered the drug store shortly before 11am on Saturday, wielding a large knife. Mendoza jumped over a counter and confronted a store clerk, demanding money. When the clerk was unable to open the register, the clerk fled from the suspect. Mendoza began to threaten a second store employee who was able to open the cash register. After grabbing an undertermined amount of cash, Mendoza fled the store.

A witness called 911 and was able to provide police with a vehicle description and the license plate number of the car Mendoza fled in.

Police located Mendoza's vehicle several hours later in the 300 block of S. Queen Street. Using the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition cameras that were just installed in the area, police were able to watch and record any activity around the vehicle.

A short while later officers were alerted that several people had entered the suspects vehicle and were leaving the area. The officers immediately stopped the vehicle where Alexis Mendoza confessed that he alone had robbed the Rite Aid Store at knifepoint. Mendoza was taken into police custody where he will be charged with robbery and violation of his parole.