3 Burglaries Land Downers Grove Man 17-Year Prison Sentence

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A Downers Grove man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison in connection with burglaries that took place at two homes and one business in 2019.

Jay Mendoza, 40, 7600 block of Bein Bridge, pleaded guilty in May to one count of burglary and one count of residential burglary.

The first burglary took place Sept. 23, 2019, when Downers Grove police were called to a business for a report of a burglary. The business's manager got to work that morning and noticed the door had been forced open. Mendoza was accused of stealing an envelope containing between $200 and $300 in cash, along with two slot machines. Two other slot machines were damaged and a Speedway gas card was stolen, along with a credit card.

On Sept. 24, 2019, police say Mendoza forced entry into a home in Elmhurst and stole a laptop, a tablet, jewelry and other items.

A third burglary took place in Oak Brook on Oct. 9, 2019. Mendoza was accused of breaking a window to gain entry to the home before stealing $60,000 worth of items.

Following an investigation, Mendoza was arrested in Oct. 2019 and held on $350,000 bond.

“In addition to stealing valuables from his victims and causing thousands of dollars worth of damage, Mr. Mendoza’s actions also robbed his victims and the community of the feeling of safety and security that a home provides,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “Thanks to the outstanding work and dedication of the Downers Grove, Elmhurst and Oak Brook Police Departments however, Mr. Mendoza’s crime spree was short-lived and he is now facing a significant amount of time behind bars."

Mendoza must serve 50 percent of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.