According to court documents, Shenandoah Borough Police Officer Jeremy Moyer was conducting a stationary patrol near the intersection of Gold Star Highway and the entrance to Gold Star Plaza at approximately 2:50 a.m. on May 9 when he observed a gold-colored sedan exit the Pioneer Road Apartment Complex without stopping or using a turn signal.
Police said the vehicle, identified as a Hyundai Sonata, traveled northbound on Gold Star Highway toward Shenandoah Borough. While following the vehicle, Moyer observed it repeatedly swerve within its lane, cross over the double-yellow line, and travel with much of the vehicle over the center line along South Main Street.
As the vehicle continued through the borough, police allege it entered parking stalls while hugging the right side of the roadway and later made a right turn onto East Centre Street without signaling. After activating emergency lights and sirens, Moyer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly failed to immediately pull over.
The vehicle eventually stopped on North Emerick Street, where the driver, identified as Michael Vignola Moquete Mendez, 36, exited the vehicle and allegedly ignored commands to remain at the scene. Police said Mendez fled on foot eastbound on North Emerick Street before being taken into custody near a residence on East Centre Street.
According to the affidavit, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Mendez and noted a language barrier, communicating with him through Google Translate during portions of the investigation.
Police said Mendez agreed to perform field sobriety testing and exhibited multiple signs of impairment during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand tests. A preliminary breath test also reportedly indicated the presence of alcohol.
Mendez was subsequently transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, where a blood sample was obtained for chemical testing.
According to police, laboratory results later revealed Mendez had a blood alcohol concentration of .108 percent, above Pennsylvania's legal limit of .08 percent. The test also reportedly detected 39 ng/ml of cocaine in his system.
Mendez was charged on May 26 with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, three counts of driving under the influence, driving without a license, careless driving, disregarding a traffic lane, and improper signaling.
Court records show Mendez is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker on June 25, 2026.