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After Wrigley Theft, Brothers Tried to Take Off-Duty Officer's Gun: Police

By Erica Demarest | May 13, 2016 6:23am | Updated on May 13, 2016 8:29am
 Brothers Hector Mendoza (l.) and Sergio Hernandez are charged with attacking an off-duty Chicago Police officer near Wrigley Field.
Brothers Hector Mendoza (l.) and Sergio Hernandez are charged with attacking an off-duty Chicago Police officer near Wrigley Field.
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Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man was arrested outside Wrigley Field Tuesday after he swiped a woman's jacket at a Cubs game and then tried to snag the gun of an off-duty Chicago Police officer who was arresting him, prosecutors said.

Hector Mendoza, 24, started the mayhem when he stole the woman's jacket late Tuesday, prosecutors said. His brother, Sergio Hernandez, 26, got into the action by charging and attacking the officer as he tried to arrest Mendoza, prosecutors said.

The brothers were leaving Tuesday night's game against the San Diego Padres when Mendoza grabbed a red jacket draped on the back of a chair at Wrigley Field, prosecutors said.

Inside the pockets, Mendoza found a 53-year-old woman's ID and credit cards, which he used to make two separate gift shop purchases, according to police and prosecutors.

The Edison Park woman later spotted Mendoza with her jacket and tried to confront him, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said during a bond hearing Thursday.

Mendoza ran north on Kenmore, police and prosecutors said, and the woman lost sight of him.

But an off-duty Chicago Police officer spotted Mendoza near Grace and Kenmore about 10:40 p.m. According to an arrest report, several people were pointing at Mendoza and telling him to stop.

When the officer tried to detain Mendoza, prosecutors said, Hernandez charged at the officer. Both brothers threw punches, and the off-duty officer pulled his gun and identified himself as police, the arrest report said.

That's when Mendoza tried to grab the gun, Antonietti said. The officer fired a single shot, missing both men.

Witnesses told the Tribune that many assumed there was a post-Cubs game fight going on when the officer wrestled a suspect to the ground and a gunshot went off. "It was a full-on fight," one witness said.

Mendoza and Hernandez were arrested about 10:45 p.m. in the 3800 block of North Kenmore Avenue, court records show.

Mendoza, of the 3100 block of North Hamlin Avenue, is charged with attempting to disarm a police officer, theft, aggravated battery of a police officer and making purchases with someone else's credit card.

Hernandez, of the same address, is charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer.

Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Thursday ordered each man held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

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