Man pleads guilty to snatching Bensenville woman’s purse

A Stone Park man was sentenced to probation and jail Tuesday for snatching a woman’s purse in Bensenville.

Jose Mendoza, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery in exchange for 30 months of probation and 180 days in jail. DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin accepted the plea agreement.

The victim was attacked about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 25 as she entered her apartment in Bensenville. Mendoza struck her in the face and wrested away her purse while another man, Luis Bastida, held her arms, Assistant State’s Attorney Rob Willis said in court.

Police later identified Mendoza on surveillance video using the victim’s credit card at a gas station, Willis said.

Bastida, 17, of Franklin Park, pleaded guilty to robbery earlier this month and also received 30 months of probation and 180 days in jail.

In addition, Mendoza has agreed to pay $320 in restitution, Assistant Public Defender George Ford said.

Both men were identified in court records as gang members and have been ordered to stay away from the victim, as well as other gang members.