Las Vegas Police Investigate High-Speed Pursuit Following Reported Kidnapping Attempt Near Strip Hotel

A man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a reported kidnapping incident near a Las Vegas Boulevard hotel escalated into a high-speed police pursuit and crash on May 24, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department documents obtained by local media.

Authorities say the incident began behind the Villa Inn Hotel-Motel, where a witness reported seeing a woman being forced into a vehicle while she screamed for help. The case led officers on a multi-mile chase through city streets before ending in a collision near Charleston Boulevard and Lamb Boulevard.

Incident

Police records state that officers responded to reports of a possible kidnapping around 8:00 p.m. in the area of the Villa Inn Hotel-Motel. A witness told authorities they saw a man later identified as Alejandro Mendoza allegedly pushing a woman, identified as Vivien Lee, into a car during what appeared to be a physical struggle.

The witness contacted 911 after hearing the woman calling for help.

Initial Response

When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a black BMW leaving the area. According to police documents, the driver ran a stop sign and traveled the wrong way on a roadway while attempting to flee.

Police initiated a pursuit after the vehicle left the location. Authorities say the suspect vehicle was unregistered at the time.

Pursuit

During the chase, which reportedly covered approximately four miles, police said the driver reached high speeds and narrowly avoided striking a pedestrian at an intersection near Fremont Street and Maryland Parkway.

Officials also reported that the vehicle collided with at least two other vehicles during the pursuit. The exact locations of those collisions and the extent of any injuries have not been fully clarified in available documents.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Lamb Boulevard. Video recorded from a passing vehicle reportedly captured the aftermath of the crash and the suspect exiting the vehicle before being taken into custody.

Arrest

Police identified the driver as Alejandro Mendoza. He was arrested following the crash and later transported to University Medical Center after officers observed signs of medical distress.

According to police, Mendoza was slurring his speech, sweating, and became unresponsive at the scene. Officers administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, before he was transported for further medical treatment.

Statements

After the incident, the woman identified as Vivien Lee reportedly told investigators that she had entered the vehicle voluntarily. She stated there was no physical struggle between her and Mendoza and described the situation as stemming from an argument related to relationship concerns.

Police documents indicate that Lee said she was not aware that Mendoza was attempting to evade law enforcement during the pursuit.

Authorities have not publicly clarified how these statements align with earlier witness reports, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Charges

Mendoza is facing multiple charges, including coercion with force or threat of force, domestic battery, reckless driving, and DUI. He is also accused of leading police on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through city streets.

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 11.

Investigation

Police say the investigation is ongoing and includes a review of witness statements, dashcam footage, and physical evidence from the crash scene. Authorities are also examining the sequence of events leading up to the pursuit and the conflicting accounts provided to investigators.

Law enforcement has not confirmed additional charges or identified other potential victims beyond those already named in the report.

The case remains under review as prosecutors prepare for upcoming court proceedings and further evidence is evaluated.

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