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 3,383 days ago

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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."