It was late in February when Leonard Hammond walked into the saloon of the Vignolo Hotel in Berenda. The spacious, two-story building was full and running over. The rooms were all occupied and the bartender was having a time keeping up with the requests for libations. Business in Berenda had been brisk throughout 1901; the town had become the hub of a lively trade that radiated out in all directions from the little railroad town north of Madera.
Hammond walked unnoticed into the saloon, stepped up to the bar and ordered a drink. As he took the glass with one hand, with the other he slid a pistol from under his belt and held it concealed beneath his overcoat. At just the right moment, Hammond backed away from the bar and proceeded to inform his fellow patrons that he was going to relieve them of their valuables.
The element of surprise was on the side of the young robber. All of the patrons did as they were told and lined up against the wall. Holding the crowd at gunpoint, Hammond collected his contraband of watches, jewelry, and cash. After forcing his victims to lie down on the floor, the thief beat a hasty retreat. One of the patrons was immediately dispatched to Madera to alert Sheriff W.B. Thurman. Thurman, in turn, assigned Constable Herman L. Crow to bring the fugitive to justice.