Sex Assault Suspect Charged After Gunfire Exchanged With Las Vegas Police Officer

Posted on: December 5, 2024, 07:16h. 

Last updated on: December 5, 2024, 10:42h.

Ed Silverstein Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The man who allegedly shot at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officer on Friday night after a high-speed chase was charged this week.

Jaime Mendoza
Jaime Mendoza, pictured above in a mug shot, is in jail after allegedly shooting at a police officer. (Image: LVMPD)

Jaime Mendoza, 54, faces seven counts following the North Las Vegas confrontation and earlier reported sex assault and kidnapping.

Mendoza faces charges that include attempted murder of a first responder, resisting a public officer with a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, sexual assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking with a deadly weapon, auto burglary, and evading.

The incident began shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday as officers investigated a reported sex assault and kidnapping on North Christy Lane in Nevada’s Sunrise Manor neighborhood, according to Las Vegas TV station KTNV.

Mendoza had fled the scene in a Toyota RAV4, police said. Officers soon spotted the vehicle and tried to stop it at about 10:26 p.m.

Mendoza then accelerated the vehicle at a “high rate of speed,” police said. He was able to avoid getting stopped while near Owens Avenue and Marion Drive.

Vehicle Crashed Into Tree

Two officers in a patrol car soon spotted the Toyota near the intersection of Tonapah Avenue and Bruce Street.

The officers began a pursuit that ended when Mendoza’s vehicle crashed into a palm tree and car on North Las Vegas Boulevard, about a half mile from where it was first spotted.

Mendoza jumped out of the Toyota and ran away, police said. Officers followed him, which is when he allegedly fired a shot at one of the officers.

Mendoza Wounded

One of the officers returned gunfire, firing at Mendoza four times, striking him in his left leg. Despite his injuries, Mendoza was able to flee the scene and disappeared, police said.

Police began a manhunt for Mendoza, calling him “armed and dangerous.” On Sunday, he was arrested while on Linn Lane in Sunrise Manor.

Because of his wounds, officers took Mendoza to University Medical Center. After treatment, he was booked at the Clark County Detention Center, where he remains in custody as of Thursday morning.

His case was turned over to local prosecutors.

Police didn’t release details on the sex assault and kidnapping for which Mendoza was charged.

Under routine LVMPD practice, the department placed the officer involved in the shooting, Marcos Gomez, 33, on paid administrative leave while the details are reviewed. The review will determine if Gomez was justified in using deadly force.

No officer was injured in Friday’s exchange of gunfire.

The shooting was the 14th officer-involved shooting so far this year in LVMPD’s jurisdiction, police revealed.