TOPEKA, Kan. — A Topeka woman previously appearing in Shawnee County booking records on vehicle-related allegations was back in jail Thursday, this time facing a considerably more serious group of accusations that includes armed aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Rashonda Louise Mendez, 39, was booked into the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center at approximately 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the detention center’s Daily Booking Report.
The booking report lists six allegations connected to case or incident number 2026-80134:
- Aggravated robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon
- Aggravated assault involving use of a deadly weapon
- Aggravated burglary of a vehicle to commit a felony, theft, domestic violence offense or sexually motivated crime
- Interference with law enforcement by allegedly fleeing on foot in a felony case
- Theft of less than $1,500
- Simple battery
The report listed no bond for the allegations when it was generated Thursday morning. DailyBookingReport 10_02_2026 7…
This Isn’t Mendez’s First Appearance in the Booking Report
The name may be familiar to longtime This Is Topeka readers.
In April 2025, we included Mendez in a roundup of notable Shawnee County bookings after she was arrested on allegations of burglary of a vehicle and theft from a motor vehicle. Read our April 2025 booking report
The underlying April 2025 detention report identifies the same full name and June 11, 1987 date of birth as the woman booked this week. That earlier booking involved case 2025-29134, with allegations of vehicle burglary and theft of less than $1,500 from a motor vehicle. A $5,000 bond was listed at the time. This is Topeka
The latest allegations represent a substantially different set of accusations because the current booking specifically includes armed aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
What Happened?
That’s the part we don’t yet know.
A booking report tells us what allegations were entered when someone was taken into custody; it does not provide the underlying police narrative. The report does not identify the alleged victim, the location of the incident, what type of weapon was allegedly involved, what property was reportedly taken or whether anyone was injured.
This Is Topeka is looking for additional information concerning 2026-80134 and will update this story if a police report, probable-cause affidavit or additional court filing provides further details.
Mendez has not been convicted of the allegations contained in this booking. Charges and booking entries are accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
