Nebraska Troopers Prevail In Fatal Standoff

[Signal_W]

Nebraska authorities on Tuesday found and fatally shot a man being sought by Mundelein police for allegedly shooting two people in the north suburb.

Nebraska State Troopers, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal's Service, discovered Hermelindo Rivas driving on Interstate 80 near the town of Alda. A chase ensued and authorities erected spike strips to force Rivas to pull over his vehicle. After he stopped his vehicle, authorities made repeated requests for Rivas to exit it, but he refused, according to a release from Mundelein police Tuesday.

Eventually, Rivas exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm and shot at the troopers, who returned fire and killed the 38-year-old man, the release said.

Police said they used the signal from Rivas' cell phone to track him.

Authorities began searching for Rivas Monday after Mundelein police responded to the 800 block of Lange Street in the north suburb about 11:30 a.m. and found two people suffering from gunshot wounds, according to the release. Mundelein police suspected Rivas of shooting Abiel G. Alvarado, 52, and Martina Santos, 31, after moving out earlier Monday, the release said.

Santos underwent surgery at Condell Health Network in Libertyville for a gunshot wound to the abdomen and leg, while Alvarado was treated and released, according to a release.

The victims told police about Rivas' three vehicles, two of which were located on Park Street in unincorporated Mundelein while the third -- a maroon 1983 Ford Carryall -- was missing.

Mundelein police secured the neighborhood and contacted the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System -- Emergency Services Team to assist in the situation. Although Rivas was not located, authorities later secured an arrest warrant for Rivas, who was charged with two counts each of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, all of which are Class X Felonies, according to the release. A $2.5 million bond was also set for Rivas.

The investigation revealed Rivas was headed for southern California, and his vehicle information was forwarded to the Chicago office of the U.S. Marshal's Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, which later assisted Nebraska authorities when Rivas' sport-utility vehicle was found, according to the release.

Nebraska State Police has opened an investigation surrounding Rivas' apprehension, while Mundelein police continued its investigation of the shooting in the north suburb.

[Crimebytes2]

The good guys won this time!

[Big Al]

Hopefully the trooper's bosses and the prosecuting attorney do not drag their feet and get these folks back to work as as soon as possible. Paid administrative leave can be nerve racking. I know first hand, following a similar incident in Jan.