July 23, 2021

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE

RE: Suspect: Jorge M. Melendez, 33 of Idaho Falls

 

     Jorge M Melendez was located and taken into custody yesterday evening on a traffic stop on Norvin Ave.  Around 8:00pm an Idaho Falls Police Officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle and recognized Mr. Melendez as the passenger.  Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies had been searching for Melendez who was wanted in connection to multiple Stalking incidents over the past few weeks. 

     After a short period of ignoring commands from officers to show his hands, Melendez eventually complied and was safely taken into custody.  Officers located a small vial containing Methamphetamine on the seat where Melendez was sitting as well as Drug Paraphernalia in a backpack belonging to him. 

     Mr. Melendez was transported to the Bonneville County Jail and booked on outstanding Felony and Misdemeanor warrants for multiple counts of Domestic Battery, Stalking, and Malicious Injury to Property.  Idaho Falls Police also booked Melendez for Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

     The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the public for their assistance in sending tips and information that contributed to Mr. Melendez’s apprehension along with the assistance of the Idaho Falls Police Department in searching for and helping locate this suspect.  As always, anyone with information about suspicious or criminal activity can contact dispatch to speak with an Officer or Deputy at 208-529-1200 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 208-522-1983, online at www.ifcrime.org, or download the P3tips App on your mobile device. 

_________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: 

July 20, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

RE:  Seeking the public’s help in locating suspect

 

     Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect wanted in connection to multiple crimes.  Deputies have been working several incidents since mid-May, where 33 year old Jorge M. Melendez has been violating a No Contact Order and Stalking a female victim.  The most recent event happening at 2:00am this morning when Deputies responded to a report that Melendez had again called the victim numerous times making threats to go to her residence and kill her. 

     Early this morning Deputies and Idaho Falls Police Officers were able to identify a residence in the 700 S. block of Norvin Ave. in Idaho Falls where Mr. Melendez may be hiding and went to that area to attempt to locate him.  As they arrived to Norvin Ave., Melendez was observed driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed attempting to flee the area.  Deputies engaged in a short pursuit of the vehicle to the area of Melbourne Dr. where Mr. Melendez exited and fled the area on foot. 

     As Deputies and IFPD Officers searched the area, an AlertSense message was sent to the immediate neighborhood making residents aware to stay inside and secure their doors and windows.  A search of the area continued through the early morning hours but Melendez was not located. 

     Deputies are continuing to investigate and currently seeking multiple Felony and Misdemeanor Warrants for Melendez relating to Stalking, Violation of a No Contact Order, Malicious Injury to Property, False Imprisonment, and Destruction of a Telecommunication Device.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jorge M. Melendez is asked to immediately contact dispatch at 208-529-1200, send a tip to Crime Stoppers at 208-522-1983, report online at www.ifcrime.org, or send a tip on the P3tips app on your mobile device.  Mr. Melendez should NOT be approached and is considered armed and dangerous. 

     To sign up for AlertSense emergency notifications visit:  https://bonnevillesheriff.com/page/alert-sense

     No further information is available at this time.