Homicide and attempted carjacking suspects arrested in Douglas County

MINDEN, Nev. – Two men were arrested Tuesday morning by deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) on multiple charges.

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at about 6:27 a.m., DCSO deputies responded to the Smith’s Food and Drug gas station in Gardnerville for a report of an attempted carjacking. Two subjects, one of whom allegedly was pointing a firearm, attempted to take a vehicle, which was being fueled at Smith's. The suspects were not able to start the vehicle and fled on foot.

Deputies found the suspects in a neighborhood east of Smiths and they were taken into custody.

The suspects, 30-year-old Derek Melendez from Wadsworth and 40-year-old Niquoia Lundy from Markleeville, Calif. were booked into the Douglas County Jail.

It was later learned that both Melendez and Niquoia were suspects in a homicide that had occurred earlier in the morning in the Dresslerville Colony of the Washoe Tribe.

DCSO is assisting the Washoe Tribal Police and the FBI with their investigation. At this time there is no further information on the homicide and no charges have been filed for that crime.

Melendez was charged with Robbery, Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, and Conspiracy. His bail is set at $125,655.

Niquoia was charged with Robbery, Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Conspiracy. His bail is set at $125,015.