The Palatine Police Department announced Tuesday, June 23, 2026 that the police department has arrested and charged a Palatine male suspect after an investigation into multiple incidents involving attempted entries and suspicious activity at apartment residences in the block of 1700 North Rose Avenue in Palatine. The apartments are located just north of the intersection of Rand Road and Dundee Road in Palatine.
The police investigation began after multiple residents reported suspicious incidents occurring between June 5 and June 17, 2026. During these incidents, residents reported observing a male outside ground-floor apartment windows during late-night and early-morning hours. The male allegedly manipulated window screens and attempted to open windows to gain access to occupied residences. While property damage was reported in at least one incident, no entry into any residence was gained.
As detectives investigated these reports, they identified a suspect and developed information regarding additional similar incidents that occurred within the apartment complex dating back to December 2024.
The suspect, Jonny E. Hernandez-Mendoza, 29, of Palatine, was positively identified and arrested on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Jonny E. Hernandez-Mendoza, 29, of Palatine was charged with …
five counts of Attempted Criminal Trespass to Residence (Class A Misdemeanor),
one Count of Criminal Damage to Property (Class A Misdemeanor), and
five counts of Disorderly Conduct (Class C Misdemeanor)
Hernandez-Mendoza’s next scheduled court appearance is August 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows.
The Palatine Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have experienced a similar incident, or has information relevant to this investigation to contact the Palatine Police Department Investigations Bureau at 847-359-9000.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
