March 06, 2009

Daytona Beach police seek illegal immigrant

By LYDA LONGA
Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- A man who threatened to kill his ex-wife and is in the country illegally is on the run and being sought by authorities, Police Chief Mike Chitwood said Thursday.

Ediberto de Jesus Mendoza, 38, attacked his ex-wife on Feb. 27 as she was walking to her mailbox about 9:30 p.m. on Raceway Pointe, police said.
The woman -- whose name is not being published because she is now in hiding -- told investigators she was getting her mail when Mendoza emerged from a red car and tried to drag his ex-wife into the vehicle, Chitwood said.

When she began to resist, he pummeled her repeatedly about the head and chest and yelled that he would be back to kill her, according to police spokesman Jimmie Flynt.

In 2007 when the suspect and victim were still married and living in Palm Coast, Mendoza attacked his wife. It was exactly one year ago today that Immigration Customs Enforcement had Mendoza deported because of the charges leveled against him in Palm Coast, Chitwood said.

There is a warrant out for Mendoza's arrest for domestic violence and attempted kidnapping, Flynt said. The suspect is considered dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call Daytona Beach police at 386-671-5100.

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