Man Arrested In 2000 Elmhurst Death: Cops

BENSENVILLE, IL – A Bensenville man who fled after being charged in a man's death in 2000 was caught last month re-entering the United States from Mexico, police said.

Romulo Mendoza, 46, appeared in DuPage County Court on Thursday. His bond was set at $1 million.

On Feb. 4, 2000, Mendoza and his two roommates, Carmelino Gomez and Pedro Garcia, got into an argument in their Bensenville home.

At one point, Gomez grabbed Garcia from behind and placed his arm around Garcia's neck, causing his death, according to prosecutors.

Gomez and Mendoza loaded Garcia's body into a car and dumped it near County Line Road and Lake Street in Elmhurst, police said. A passerby discovered it the next day.

In September 2000, Gomez pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and concealment of a homicidal death. Mendoza, however, fled after posting bond in May 2000, authorities said. He had been charged with concealment of a homicidal death.

After being arrested last month, Mendoza was taken to DuPage County.

"Twenty-two years ago, Romulo Mendoza failed to appear in court on charges he concealed a homicidal death in DuPage County," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. "The apprehension of this defendant sends the message that law enforcement in DuPage County will never give up on a case, regardless of how much time may have passed."