Man wrongfully accused in carjacking cleared of charges

All charges were dropped against a Holtsville man who said he was falsely arrested for a carjacking and CVS robbery in East Rockaway. Back in April, David Melis was charged with stealing razors from

News 12 Staff

Jul 1, 2015, 3:04 AM

Updated 3,219 days ago

Share:

Man wrongfully accused in carjacking cleared of charges
All charges were dropped against a Holtsville man who said he was falsely arrested for a carjacking and CVS robbery in East Rockaway.
Back in April, David Melis was charged with stealing razors from a CVS and then stealing a woman's car.
In an exclusive interview with News 12's Eileen Lehpamer last month, Melis' attorney Mark Nadjar pointed to a surveillance video from inside the CVS that showed the suspect in question. Nadjar pointed out that his client had a different walk and did not have a bald spot.
"It was obvious to me right away, this is not Mr. Melis," said Nadjar. "I think it was obvious to everyone who saw the clip that [News 12] showed."
Melis too thanked News 12 for Tuesday's court decision.
"I'd like to thank Channel 12 for their continuous coverage to help prove my innocence," said Melis.
During the carjacking back in April, there was a scuffle as the suspect got away. Nadjar said that suspect lost his eyeglasses, and in the end, he says that also helped his client.
"The DNA connects this new person to these crimes...by the glasses," said Nadjar.
The assistant district attorney on the case said in court that the new suspect is "connected by DNA."
A spokesman for the district attorney's office said they "took action at the appropriate time after a thorough investigation." The Nassau Police Department would not comment on Melis' arrest.
In a press release issued Tuesday evening, the Nassau Police Department said the new suspect was arrested "upon receiving forensic evidence." Melis, police say, had been charged "based on numerous witness identifications."


More from News 12
1:57
3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

2:02
Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

2:53
Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

0:29
Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

0:51
State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

1:55
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

0:16
Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:59
Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store