Public’s Help Sought in Search for Aurora Gang Murder Suspect

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for the public’s help in locating a former Aurora man who is wanted for the January 1998 murder of a fellow Aurora resident.

LEOBOLDO J. MENDOZA, age 31, whose last known address was 1023 Grove Street in the far western suburb, has been the subject of a nationwide manhunt coordinated by the Chicago FBI since 2001, when he was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP), which is a felony offense.

According to the complaint, MENDOZA was charged in state court with the January 1998 shooting death of Israel Silva in an apparent gang-related incident. MENDOZA is believed to have fled the Aurora area immediately after the shooting and his whereabouts remain unknown.

MENDOZA is described as a Hispanic/male; 31 years of age, 6’ 0” tall, thin build, with black hair, brown eyes. He was last known to be wearing a mustache and goatee and utilizes several aliases, including Leo Mendoza and “Chris”.  MENDOZA, who is a member of the Vice Lords street gang, still has family and friends in the Aurora area as well as McAllen, Texas.

MENDOZA has an extensive criminal history, including firearms and weapons charges and as such, MENDOZA should be considered Armed and Dangerous.

Anyone recognizing MENDOZA or having any information about his current whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700 or any law enforcement agency.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.