On Feb. 6, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress, while the homeowner was pursuing the suspect on foot.
The suspect was able to get away, but he dropped items while running that belonged to another residence. Deputies went to that residence and discovered the suspect had burglarized that home as well.
During the investigation, deputies discovered a log truck had been stolen from a third nearby residence. The suspect abandoned the truck a short distance down the road. During the theft of the log truck, the suspect stole a firearm inside the truck.
While detectives were out investigating the burglaries, the sheriff’s office received an emergency call from a resident in the area, stating there was an unknown male asleep inside his house.
Detectives arrived at that location and identified the male to be the same involved in the burglaries during the early morning hours.
John Ernest Mendez Jr., 28, of Splendora, was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for criminal trespass of habitation, theft of firearm, burglary of vehicle (four counts), assault on public servant, unlawful possession of firearm by felon, resisting arrest, failure to ID, and fugitive giving false information.
He is currently held at the Polk County Jail on 14 charges and $192,500 in total bonds.
