Full Notification

It is not uncommon for Fugitives up north to flee to the south hoping for southern hospitality.  Usually if their friends care deeply for their safety and want them to be successful fugitives, they will warn them to stay far away from Clayton County.

Luis Melendez wish he had those type of friends. 

After Newport Virginia took felony warrants out for Melendez for weapons and drug charges, he stole a car and drove all the way to Georgia.  Melendez friends in Union city welcome him with open arms and told him he could stay with them.  Regretfully, they forgot to give him the “not in Clayton County” memo that fugitives need to survive.

On December 21st, 2017, the Lovejoy Police Department spotted the vehicle Melendez stole out of Newport Virginia and followed it before he suddenly took off leading them on a high speed chase down Tara Blvd.

As he approached the intersection of Tara and Daly Memorial Boulevard, Melendez swerved into the turn lane and intentionally struck a marked Clayton County Sheriff’s  patrol vehicle putting it out of service.  Melendez then fled the scene of the accident on foot, leaving narcotics in the vehicle. 

It wasn’t long before Sheriff Victor Hill arrived on the scene to collaborate with Lovejoy Police Chief Wayne Woods to coordinate the manhunt for Melendez.  The two had just joined forces earlier this month to hunt suspects who fired on one of Chief Woods Officers.   Now they were together again to hunt a man who committed aggravated assault on one of Sheriff Hill’s Deputies with a vehicle.

As before, Lovejoy Investigators began  working the scene of the crime to positively link Melendez to the crime.  Meanwhile, Sheriff Victor Hill unleashed his elite manhunters known better known to all as the “Fugitive Squad” to find Melendez.

In less than 24 hours, Sheriff Victor Hill’s elite Fugitive Squad found the location of Melendez’s friends in Union City.  Melendez had attempted to conceal himself by hiding inside their closet shaking in fear.  Melendez was pulled out of the closet, and is now facing the wall at Georgia’s toughest para-military jail.

Melendez is now the new poster child for the following public service announcement:  “Friends don’t let friends drink and drive.  And friends don’t let friends who are fugitives drive through Clayton County”.

On behalf of Sheriff Victor Hill, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office wishes all a safe and Merry Christmas!!!!

 The Clayton County Sheriff's Office

                              Motto

"We defend those who cannot defend themselves"

                          Core Values

                Strength~Honor~Discipline 

                            Mission

To proactively fight and reduce crime by prevention and control.