Police say Turtle Creek man sexually assaulted child; suspect arrested in Harrison

A Turtle Creek man faces charges that he sexually assaulted a child over a period of five years, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.

Police arrested Jose Melendez Jr., 33, on Tuesday in the Sheldon Park public housing plan in Harrison. They had been looking for him since issuing two arrest warrants.

Melendez attempted to flee, but sheriff’s deputies surrounded the Park Avenue apartment building before he could escape, according to a release from Tony Griffith, communications director for the sheriff’s office.

According to Griffith, “multiple incidents” took place between Melendez and the child between 2017 and 2021. Melendez attempted to coerce the child not to report the assaults with money and gifts, the release said.

Escaped police 2 months ago

Two months before his arrest, police nearly caught Melendez during a traffic stop in Turtle Creek. Melendez was driving erratically and sped away when police attempted to pull him over, according to Griffith.

He then crashed into a telephone pole and ran into a wooded area. Police later learned the driver was Melendez through multiple identifications that had been left at the scene.

A second arrest warrant was then issued.

Griffith said Melendez was believed to have been staying in Sheldon Park. Sheriff’s deputies and police found him sitting in a car outside an apartment, they said. They say he tried to run inside as officers approached, but they anticipated his move and caught and arrested him without further incident, according to the release.

Melendez now awaits a preliminary hearing. He faces charges of sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, promotion of prostitution, flight to avoid apprehension and fleeing police.

Melendez was taken to the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh.