Minden, NV – 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 a carjacking. Two subjects, one while pointing a firearm, attempted to take a vehicle, which was being fueled at Smiths. The suspects were not able to start the vehicle and fled on foot.
Both suspects—identified as 30-year-old Derek Melendez, from Wadsworth and 40-year-old Niquoia Lundy, from Markleeville, CA—were located in a neighborhood east of Smith’s and arrested. Both Melendez and Lundy were booked into the Douglas County Jail. It was later learned that both Melendez and Niquoia were suspects in a homicide, which had occurred earlier that morning on the Dresslerville Colony of Washoe Tribe.
DCSO is assisting the Washoe Tribal Police and the FBI with their investigation.
Melendez was charged with: Robbery, Battery with Deadly Weapon, Possession of 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.