A man who led Las Vegas police on a high-speed chase and shootout had earlier kidnapped and sexually assaulted a sex worker, according to prosecutors.

Jaime Mendoza, 54, allegedly forced the victim into his Toyota RAV4 at gunpoint on November 29, then threatened her with a foot-long hunting knife. He bound her hands and feet with rope and had rigged the vehicle with ropes to prevent her escape.

Prosecutors say Mendoza took the victim to his Sunrise Manor residence where he sexually assaulted her after death threats. He later drove her back to her vehicle. The victim, who described Mendoza as a "regular customer" for over a year, immediately reported the incident to police.

When officers spotted Mendoza's vehicle and attempted to stop him, he fled at high speed before crashing into a palm tree near a North Las Vegas casino. During the subsequent foot chase, Mendoza allegedly fired at officers. Officer Marcos Gomez returned fire, wounding Mendoza in the hip.

Despite being injured, Mendoza escaped but was arrested two days later at a relative's home. After receiving medical treatment, he was booked into Clark County Detention Center.

Key details revealed in court:

• Mendoza had placed a GPS device on the victim's car before the abduction
• He discarded his firearm near a church during the chase
• No officers were injured in the incident
• The victim did not suffer significant physical injuries

Judge Nadia Wood ordered Mendoza held without bail, despite prosecutors' request for $1M bail. He faces multiple charges including:

• Attempted murder of a first responder
• Kidnapping
• Sexual assault
• Aggravated stalking
• Burglary of a vehicle
• Resisting a public officer with a firearm

Mendoza's next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, with a preliminary hearing set for January. This incident marks the 14th officer-involved shooting in 2024 within LVMPD jurisdiction.

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