CA Gang Member Arrested

Prescott Valley, AZ Deputy United States Marshals arrested a "Dogpatch Locos" Paramount California gang member for murder. Daniel Melendez, age 43, was arrested without incident at his place of employment in Prescott Valley, AZ. Deputies began hunting for Melendez in the area of Dewey and Prescott Valley, AZ. After Melendez was seen at his employment, deputies surrounded the business and he was arrested without incident inside the business. While this operation took place in Arizona, the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, "PSWRFTF" run by the United States Marshals Service was arresting a cousin and fellow gang member to Melendez named John Maestaz. Maestaz was wanted for his involvement in the same murder. Task Force members and the Los Angeles Police Department set up surveillance at Maestaz's residence. An unknown male and Maestaz were observed leaving the residence in which time Maestaz was taken into custody. A search warrant was conducted at Maestaz's residence which produced numerous items of gang paraphernalia and a handgun. In August of 2006, Maestaz and Melendez had challenged a fellow gang member, Marcus Cardenas, about his unwillingness to attack a rival gang who were believed to have killed Maestaz's son. Melendez and Maestaz proceeded to beat Cardenas until Maestaz decided to pull a .45 caliber handgun and kill him. Maestaz immediately went into hiding in the Los Angeles area and Melendez fled to Arizona. United States Marshal David Gonzales, District of Arizona, praised the work of Deputies and the Los Angeles Police Department adding, "When it comes to locating and apprehending fugitives, there are no borders. Deputies Marshals and Local Police Officers will always team up for a safe and successful arrest". Melendez was booked into Yavapai County Jail in Camp Verde, AZ awaiting extradition to California. This case originated from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.