South Bay Woman Charged With Hate Crime In McDonald's Incident

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — Santa Clara County prosecutors charged a San Jose resident with a hate crime in connection with an incident at a Mountain View McDonald’s on Saturday.

Alena Jenkins, 40, used an expletive and referred to the manager as a “stupid Mexican” after she was told to leave because she refused to wear a mask while eating indoors, according to a news release on Wednesday. The restaurant’s COVID-19 protocols also prohibit eating inside.

Prosecutors said that Jenkins shoved a COVID plexiglass shield and a sign at an employee after he called the police. She also struck the manager on the arm and shoulder. After police arrived, Jenkins continued to make racist comments toward the employees, according to the news release.

The incident occurred at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. Jenkins, who will be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon, was charged with a hate crime and battery, both misdemeanors.

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