Crime & Safety
Man Reaches Toward Loaded Gun During Arrest: Des Plaines PD
The Des Plaines resident was charged with three felonies following the early Wednesday incident.
DES PLAINES, IL — A Des Plaines man is facing three felonies following an early Wednesday morning incident in which he reportedly tried to steal a car, and then reached toward the area of his waistband where police a loaded gun during the subsequent arrest.
Jonathan Mendoza, 18, is accused of two counts of felony aggravated use of a weapon, felony burglary to a vehicle, and a misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of ammunition. He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Police responded to the 1700 block of Linden Street for a possible burglary to a motor vehicle in the area. Witnesses said a victim had left their car running while they went into a residence. When they returned to the car, a male, later identified as Mendoza, was seen wearing all black inside the driver's side area of the vehicle. The victim believed Mendoza had attempted to steal the vehicle due to a beeping noise being heard coming from the vehicle, which only happens when you try to put it in drive. Mendoza then exited the vehicle and began walking northbound from the location, while the victim called 911.
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Police responding to the area found Mendoza near the 1700 block of Orchard Street and attempted to stop him. He reportedly fled eastbound between two houses. Soon thereafter, he was found near Riverview Avenue and Sycamore Street. When asking Mendoza what he was doing there, police said he became nervous and his answers varied.
When police asked Mendoza if they could conduct a search of his person, he reportedly agreed, but then tried to flee again. An officer was able to grab Mendoza, who was reaching toward his waistband, and was then given multiple commands to stop resisting. He was then taken into custody.
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A search was conducted while Mendoza was in handcuffs, and police found a loaded gray handgun in the area he had been reaching for. Mendoza refused to answer any questions from police. It was later discovered he did not possess a valid Firearms Owner's Identification Card or a Conceal Carry License.
The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.
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