A 16-time convicted felon is now accused of robbing cellular stores while on pretrial release for three separate felony cases. Ronald Melendez, 60, “shows his disrespect for everything,” Judge Shauna Boliker said as she ordered him detained on the new charges.
Prosecutors told Boliker that victims identified Melendez as the man who brandished a knife while robbing the Boost Mobile store at 5718 West Fullerton twice last month: on March 16 and again on March 28. They said he got away with nine phones, a tablet, and an Apple Watch the first time, but only $90 the second time.
He also faces charges for allegedly stealing 15 phones valued at $18,000 from the Boost store located at 5207 West Fullerton on February 14.
Chicago cops said Melendez had a prybar in a bag and a knife in his pocket when they arrested him to face charges of armed robbery and theft.
Court records show Melendez was on pretrial release at the time of the cellular store robberies and theft: two burglaries in Melrose Park and a narcotics case in Chicago.
Judge Boliker said those three pending cases and Melendez’s 16 felony convictions factored into her decision to keep him in jail.
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