DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced yesterday, Monday, March 10, 2025 that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a pair of Elgin residents accused of leading police on a high-speed chase after shooting at another vehicle. Cristopher Martinez Mendoza or Christopher Martinez Mendoza, age 19, of the block of 400 South Eddison Avenue in Elgin, appeared in First Appearance Court Monday 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, age 19, of the block of 400 Locust Street in Elgin, also appeared at First Appearance Court Monday 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 the driver of 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 move away following the collision. Following the collision, the victims followed the Sonata. While the victims were following the Sonata, the driver of the Sonata allegedly struck a mailbox near Stone Avenue and Ellsworth Avenue in Addison, but did not stop. After striking the mailbox, the the driver of the Sonata slowed but did not stop. As the victims continued to follow the Sonata near Lake Street and Villa Avenue, Martinez Mendoza allegedly 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.
Instead of stopping, Pelayo allegedly rapidly accelerated away from the police officer ultimately reaching speeds of approximately 115 mph on I-290. The driver of 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. Pelayo allegedly attempted to drive away before being stopped by authorities. Pelayo was taken into custody at this time. Martinez Mendoza exited the car and fled on foot. 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. 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.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“Criminals have no safe haven in Elmhurst. 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.”
— Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean
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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