Court Grant’s State’s Motion to Detain Pre-trial Two Elgin Men Charged with Shooting at Another Vehicle/Leading Police on 115 MPH High-Speed Chase

Cristopher Martinez Mendoza, 19 (d.o.b. 4/14/2005; pictured bottom) and Iban Pelayo, 19 (d.o.b. 4/5/2005; pictured top) both appeared in First Appearance Court, each charged with multiple felonies.

“THE ALLEGED ACTIONS OF BOTH OF THESE DEFENDANTS ARE OUTRAGEOUS AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN DUPAGE COUNTY,” BERLIN SAID. “CRASHING INTO AND THEN SHOOTING AT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH-SPEED CHASE, AS ALLEGED IN THIS CASE, MAY BE SOMETHING YOU SEE IN THE MOVIES, BUT IN DUPAGE COUNTY, THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR WILL QUICKLY LAND YOU BEHIND BARS.”

ELMHURST - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a pair of Elgin men accused of leading police on a high-speed chase after shooting at another vehicle. Cristopher Martinez Mendoza, 19 (d.o.b. 4/14/2005) of the 400 block of S. Eddison Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Direction of an Occupied Vehicle (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – No FOID (Class 4 Felony). Martinez Mendoza’s co-defendant, Iban Pelayo, 19 (d.o.b. 4/5/2005) of the 400 block of Locust Street, also appeared at First Appearance Court this afternoon charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Direction of an Occupied Vehicle (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

In the early morning hours of March 9, 2024, the victims were driving on the off-ramp exiting I-290 onto Lake Street in Addison when a gray Hyundai Sonata allegedly approached them from behind, crossed onto the shoulder before merging back onto the off-ramp, causing the front driver's side of the Sonata to strike the front passenger side of the victims’ car. The Sonata, allegedly driven by Pelayo, continued to drive away following the collision. Following the collision, the victims followed the Sonata. It is alleged that while following the Sonata, the Sonata struck a mailbox near Stone Avenue and Ellsworth Avenue, but did not stop. It is further alleged that after striking the mailbox, the Sonata slowed but did not stop. It is alleged that as the victims continued to follow the Sonata near Lake Street and Villa Avenue, Martinez Mendoza leaned out of the front passenger side window and fired a handgun towards the victims’ car. The victims stopped following the Sonata at this time and immediately contacted police. At approximately 1:06 a.m., an Elmhurst police officer on routine patrol received information that the suspected Sonata was detected in Elmhurst. The officer located the vehicle near the I-290 eastbound on-ramp from Lake Street and activated his emergency lights and siren. It is alleged that instead of stopping, Pelayo rapidly accelerated away from the officer ultimately reaching speeds of approximately 115 mph on I-290. The Sonata subsequently crashed on the exit ramp to St. Charles Road off I-290, with the vehicle becoming airborne and rolling before landing on its tires. It is alleged that Pelayo attempted to drive away before being stopped by authorities. Pelayo was taken into custody at this time. It is alleged that Martinez Mendoza exited the car and fled. He was apprehended approximately ten minutes later. When searching the Sonata, authorities recovered two live 9 mm rounds. Authorities also found a Polymer 80, or ghost gun, as well as 9 mm magazine loaded with ten rounds in a culvert where Martinez Mendoza allegedly threw the gun as he fled.

“The alleged actions of both of these defendants are outrageous and will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” Berlin said. “Crashing into and then shooting at another vehicle before leading police on a high-speed chase, as alleged in this case, may be something you see in the movies, but in DuPage County, this type of behavior will quickly land you behind bars. Thankfully, no innocent motorists were injured or killed as a result of the defendants’ alleged actions. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for not only their work on this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe. I thank the Addison Police Department for their assistance on this case as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj, Sandi Tanoue and Kevin Kosman for their work in preparing strong charges against the defendants.”

“Criminals have no safe haven in Elmhurst,” McLean said. “I am very proud of the proactive response of our patrol officers leading to the apprehension of these fleeing suspects and the alleged shooter during this dangerous incident. The teamwork demonstrated by all police agencies involved and DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office demonstrates DuPage County law enforcement stands as a united front against those seeking to engage in violent crime.”

Martinez Mendoza’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 7, 2025. Pelayo’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 24, 2025.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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