Posted on: December 6, 2024, 07:17h.
Last updated on: December 6, 2024, 07:17h.
The man who led Las Vegas cops on a Friday night chase before crashing his vehicle at a casino lot, then shooting at an officer — had hours before abducted and sexually assaulted a sex worker, authorities said.
The November 29 incident began when the suspect, Jaime Mendoza, 54, forced the unnamed prostitute into his car after threatening her with a firearm, prosecutors announced in court this week.
Threatened With Large Knife
Once in the vehicle, he again threatened her, this time with a foot-long hunting knife, according to authorities. He also allegedly bound her hands and feet with a rope.
In addition, in the car, believed to be a Toyota RAV4, was a rope “hanging from both sides of the vehicle” to “prevent her from lunging at Mendoza while he drove,” prosecutors said.
Mendoza then proceeded to his Sunrise Manor, Nevada residence where he ordered the woman into a bedroom and threatened to kill her, police said.
After forcing her to have sex, he ordered the woman into his car and drove her back to her own vehicle when the abduction began, according to police.
Once free, the sex worker alerted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).
Suspect Was Victim’s ‘Regular Customer’
When speaking to an officer, she described Mendoza as a “regular customer” of hers for more than a year. She added that typically she would meet him twice a week.
She said they were to have a “prostitution date” on Friday night, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.
After speaking with the victim, officers soon spotted Mendoza driving his car. Police initially tried to stop the Toyota.
But Mendoza sped away. A short time later, officers again saw the car. They began to pursue Mendoza’s vehicle at what police described as a “high rate of speed.” He eventually lost control of the Toyota and crashed it into a palm tree near a parking lot at an unnamed North Las Vegas casino.
He jumped out of his car and began to run. Mendoza then turned and allegedly fired a shot at LVMPD officers who were running after him.
One officer, Marcos Gomez, returned fire and wounded Mendoza in the hip. Even with the injury, Mendoza again eluded police and disappeared. He also allegedly discarded a gun outside of a North Las Vegas church.
LVMPD officers then began an extensive manhunt. They told the public Mendoza should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
On Sunday, he was located at a relative’s residence on Linn Lane and arrested.
Because of his wounds, Mendoza was taken to University Medical Center. After treatment, he was booked at the Clark County Detention Center, where he remains in custody as of Friday morning.
Prosecutors also revealed that Mendoza had placed some kind of GPS device on the sex worker’s car before the abduction.
The sex worker appears to haven’t suffered significant physical injuries during the ordeal. No officers were injured during the chase or exchange of gunfire.
Held Without Bail
On Wednesday, Clark County Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood ordered Mendoza to be held without bail.
Prosecutors originally asked for his bail to be set at $1M. They described him as a flight risk and argued that he posed a risk to the public, according to Las Vegas TV station KSNV.
But, given the facts, Wood, formerly Clark County chief deputy public defender, ruled that for now, it was better to not set bail.
Mendoza is charged with attempted murder of a first responder, resisting a public officer with a firearm, aggravated stalking, burglary of a vehicle, kidnapping, disobeying a peace officer, and sexual assault.
If convicted on these charges, he could be sentenced to prison for many years.
Among the evidence prosecutors have is the firearm Mendoza allegedly tossed onto the church grounds.
Mendoza’s next court appearance is on Monday. It’s possible bail could be set at that time. He also will return to court in January for a preliminary hearing.
Last Friday’s shooting was the 14th officer-involved shooting so far this year in the LVMPD’s jurisdiction.
