Judge scolds Reading woman who tried to obstruct 2007 downtown bike race
By Mary E. Young
Reading Eagle
A Reading woman, who disobeyed a police officer's orders not to cross the street during a 2007 downtown bicycle race, was scolded during sentencing in Berks County Court on Tuesday for risking injury to racing cyclists.
Judge James M. Bucci sentenced Rena Valentina Mendez, 21, of the 400 block of Robeson Street, to one year of probation and to do 80 hours of community service for failing to obey officer Mark Groff's orders not to cross the street during the June 7, 2007, bicycle race in downtown Reading.
She was convicted in an April jury trial of obstructing the administration of law.
Mendez cried as she apologized and asked Bucci to consider that she has a young son who needs her time and attention.
"I regret everything," she said.
Bucci said he would have sentenced her to jail if she had not accepted responsibility and apologized for her actions.
"What you did was wrong," he said. "You endangered the lives of the people in the race. You showed tremendous disrespect to police officers."
Assistant District Attorney Jay Kurtz asked for a sentence of one month to one year in county prison.
Mendez's attorney, Abby L. Rigdon, told Bucci that Mendez has a brother who is a police officer and another brother who is a former federal drug enforcement agent, and as a result does have respect for police.
No police or riders were injured, Ridgon said.
According to court records:
Groff was directing traffic at Ninth and Walnut streets where Mendez wanted to cross with her son, then about 2 years old.
Mendez argued with Groff and began to cross.
She walked into the path of a cyclist who swerved to avoid her.
A crowd began gathering as Mendez cursed at Groff.
She yelled that she would pay the ticket because she was in a hurry and had a bad day.
A short time later she returned and began cursing at Groff and other officers who arrived to assist.
Mendez ignored at least five warnings to stop and go home before officers arrested her.
•Contact reporter Mary Young at 610-478-6292 or myoung@readingeagle.com.
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