A suspect in the fatal March 20 shooting of Israel Mendez from Maywood has been apprehended, according to a press release from the Forest Park Police Department (FPPD) on March 24.
Joel Sandoval of the 1600 block of N. Parkside Avenue in Chicago was arrested and will be charged with armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated fleeing to elude, possession of a controlled substance, and aggravated driving while license revoked. He will attend a bond hearing on March 25.
Investigators observed Sandoval on Chicago’s northwest side at around 7:30 p.m. on March 22, driving the vehicle used in the shooting of Mendez.
Sandoval refused to stop for police and recklessly fled from them in his car, according to the release.
Police chased him through Chicago and several suburbs for about half an hour until he crashed into another vehicle near Foster and Nagle in Chicago. With a pistol in his hand, he then fled his car.
He and a female passenger were caught. According to the press release, Sandoval, armed, actively resisted arrest.
Forest Park police detectives and WESTAF are continuing with the investigation of the March 20 homicide. Anyone with information that might help with the investigation is asked to contact the FPPD at 708-366-2425 or detectives@forestpark.net.
